Almeraq, a four-year-old colt, has secured a thrilling photo finish victory in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot. The Group One sprint over six furlongs saw Almeraq, ridden by Ryan Moore, burst through on the far side to snatch victory by a nose from Australia's Joliestar and Japan's Satono Reve.
It's a major comeback for Almeraq, who was a 25-1 shot for the feature race. The colt's return from a worrying fall at York last September, which left his regular rider Jim Crowley needing surgery on a pelvic and leg fracture, has been marked by this impressive win.
Trainer William Haggas has secured his fourth win of the meeting, with jockey Tom Marquand taking his third title. Marquand expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to ride Almeraq, saying, 'I'm not just saying this for effect, genuinely my first thought when I thought I'd won was for Jim.'
The win has also given Ryan Moore reason to celebrate, as he rode Satono Reve to a second-place finish in the race for the second consecutive year.
Other notable wins at Royal Ascot include Orthodox's stunning performance in the Norfolk Stakes and Giavellotto's thrilling finish in the Hardwicke Stakes.