ROYAL Ascot began just as all racing fans hoped with a thrilling contest that saw Canford Cliffs lower the colours of mighty mare Goldikova in the Group One Queen Anne Stakes.
Trainer Richard Hannon and jockey Richard Hughes reiterated their belief that the stable star is the best horse they’ve been involved with. And after challenging late under Hughes to land a telling blow near the line and beat the Freddie Head’s French mare by a length it is hard to disagree with them.
The Tagula colt, who won on the St James’s Palace Stakes on the opening day of the Royal meeting had to work to get the 13-time Group One winning mare. But Hughes and Canford came home a length in front of the six-year-old and Olivier Peslier.
Goldikova had got the better of Hannon’s Paco Boy 12 months ago but connections gained their revenge.
Both marvellous horses could head to the Breeders’ Cup at the end of the year, but there could be plenty of thrilling match-ups before then with Hannon nominating the Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood as a likely destination for his four-year-old miler.
Hannon said: “He’s a very good horse. We had to take her on. She’s obviously a very good horse too.
“We had two good pacemakers in there and we followed her through.
“He’s got a very high cruising speed but also a great turn of foot. That’s the great thing. He’s a very special horse to us.”
Canford Cliffs will be retired to Coolmore Stud at the end of the season.
But Hannon said: “We might run in the Sussex Stakes next, but I would love to have him next season as well. But I don’t suppose I’ll be allowed to.”
Hughes added: “Olivier rode a great race to be fair. He wouldn’t kick and I couldn’t kick until he kicked.“We did quicken a lot in the last two furlongs, that was the quickest part of the race.
“I’ve said since the first day I rode him he was an amazing horse.
“I didn’t want to miss the kick and I got lucky that I landed behind Goldikova and I was riding with gentlemen like Ryan Moore and Frankie Dettori who could have made it difficult for me, they didn't and I got right in her slipstream.
“He’s an amazing horse. The best I’ve ever ridden.”
Goldikova will be back for more and will aim to add to her Group One haul at home in France before bidding for an incredible fourth success in the Breeders’ Cup Mile.
Goldikova’s trainer Head said: “I was very happy, there’s nothing too much to say as there were no excuses on the ground and Canford Cliffs is a very good horse.
“She saw daylight a little bit early, but she ran very well. We will probably look at the Prix Jacques le Marois next and, of course, the Breeders’ Cup at the end of the year.”
