The crowds were up every day and the weather god(s) smiled down and gave a fast track.
Nearly every race broke the previous race record – some by a significant amount.
On Friday the Albany went to Venetian Sun who doubled her win tally in this her second start so she looks like one to keep an eye on and our roughie Balantina came third at 40/1 which was a nice way to start the day,
Just as well we collected there as Whistlejacket didn't oblige in the Commonwealth Cup which was a bit of a shock all round with the winner Time for Sandals on 25/1 Eustace (H) (the other one is in Hong Kong) and Richard Kingscote, with Arizona Blaze 28/1 second and French raider Rayevka on 20/1 third.
The Coronation Stakes saw a welcome win for veteran trainer Joseph Murphy with Cercene, a daughter of Australia, winning on 33/1 with Gary Carrol in the irons. Favourite Zarigana was second and January put in a much better performance to take third. Cercene may now tackle the St Leger in September.
On Saturday the crowds were delighted with the win of Rebel's Romance, a popular figure wherever he runs around the world., in the Hardwicke. Al Riffa got the second and Ghostwriter third.
The Queen Elizabeth II was a fabulous race with Lazzat and Satono Reve dueling down the straight and the rest of the field watching from some way off. Lazzat managed to get that extra lunge in on the line to win by ½ length but Satono Reve lost nothing in defeat.
Flora of Bermuda was a 12/1 third.
The Jersey was another win for the bookies when Noble Champion scored at 25/1 from Spy Chief and favourite Commanche Brave third.
For the week Wathnan Racing ad made some good purchases prior to the meeting and they finished up tied with Coolmore as winning owners, both with 5 winners.
The Godens just tipped Aidan O'Brien for top trainer(s) as they both finished with 5 winners but the Gosdens had more seconds. Ryan Moore was again the top jockey.
Two follow-on items – Carl Spackler will run in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood before heading to Australia for the Cox Plate, his major aim. He was bought by Yulong who had the Cox Plate 2024 winner Via Sistina.
Australia as a sire has moved up the popularity chart after he sired the Derby winner Lambourn and Coronation Stakes winner Cercene (his 7th G1 winner) and Lazzat's dam.
There was plenty to enjoy on every day of this meeting and a good mix of favourites and long-shots to keep everyone enthusiastic!
