22/06/2023
UK
Ascot
Gold Cup Day
The third day of Royal Ascot saw the horse racing world treated to two special moments for two integral parts of our sport.
The first came in the feature race of the week, the Gold Cup, as Frankie Dettori won with Courage Mon Ami on his final start in the famous race, but it was DESERT HERO’s win in the King George V Stakes that sent Ascot Racecourse into a sea of noise.
The three-year-old colt by Sea The Stars, bred by the late Queen Elizabeth II, gave Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla their first Royal Ascot winner in the famous Royal silks.
Trained by William Haggas, the groom, Jack Abbey, led his horse into a wall of cheering and celebration around the parade ring after the race, making Desert Hero our World Pool Moment of the Day.
When collecting his £4,000 cheque, he said: “It’s amazing for the team as everyone wants to have a Royal Ascot winner, let alone for the Royal family, so it’s an emotional day for everyone.
“This lad has a great temperament now as he could be a bit funny in his younger days, but the result today showed us what he can do when he puts it all together.”
Jack Abbey, the groom of DESERT HERO, shares his thoughts after receiving the World Pool Moment of the Day prize at Royal Ascot.
