Staring with Strike the Tiger’s victory within the Windsor Citadel Stakes in 2009, US-based teacher Wesley Ward has gained 12 races at Royal Ascot.
This yr, he brings best 5 horses to the assembly, however 4 of them have very are living possibilities of their respective races, with most sensible US jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. using all 5 of Ward’s horses.
Ward’s 5 runners come with King’s Stand contender Golden Buddy – a winner on the Breeders’ Cup remaining yr and two-time Royal Ascot winner Campanelle, who took the Queen Mary Stakes and the Commonwealth Cup in back-to-back seasons.
The American teacher spoke to Sky Sports activities Racing previous this week about his possibilities for every other Royal winner on the Berkshire venue.
Golden Buddy
(King’s Stand Stakes)
Runner-up, overwhelmed a neck via The Lir Jet within the Crew 2 Norfolk Stakes in 2020, this four-year-old colt returns to Ascot for the Crew 1 King’s Stand on Stakes on Tuesday.
Golden Buddy gained remaining November’s Breeders’ Cup Turf Dash at Del Mar then got here off a five-month layoff to win the Grade 2 Shakertown Stakes via 4 and three-quarter lengths at Keeneland.
“What was once spectacular about that was once he by no means left Kentucky, he needed to maintain (wintry weather) climate, what have you ever,” Ward mentioned.
“For him to duck round when to paintings, when to not paintings, lacking days, chilly climate in Kentucky and for him to come back off the bench like he did and as tough as he did was once very spectacular.
“He must be that a lot more ahead as a result of he is had all his works, he is in nice form, he is pop out of his race in nice order.”
Golden Buddy, a Florida-bred son of Uncle Mo, has used his velocity to win six of his remaining seven begins.
“In most cases, you cross speedy early and pay for it past due, he is one that may cross speedy early and will maintain,” Ward mentioned. “Only a few horses can do this.”
Love Reigns
(Queen Mary Stakes)
An Irish-bred daughter of U S Military Flag, Love Reigns rolled to a 9 and 3 quarter period victory in a 5 and a part furlong maiden turf race at Keeneland on the finish of April.
“She ran a large race there, I do not know what is going to materialise out of that race, however she ran a quick time,” Ward mentioned.
Of six horses to run once more from that maiden, just one has been victorious. Love Reigns ruled that 12-horse box regardless of breaking slowly from an within draw.
“I did not do so much out of gate along with her, I used to be considering 5 and part is some distance for a two-year-old in April,” Ward mentioned.
“I used to be hoping Irad more or less took his time when he broke somewhat sluggish however he did not need to get pinched down in there so he simply went.”
Seismic Spirit
(Windsor Citadel Stakes)
Misplaced lone get started on turf at Churchill Downs in Might.
In that race, the Irish-bred son of Belardo confirmed good velocity clear of the gate, put away one mid-race challenger however then was once run down in ultimate leap via Cadillac Sweet to lose via a head.
“Take not anything clear of the winner, however the winner had a get started at the grime,” Ward mentioned.
“My man is an actual overweight dude, in order that race is in reality going to do him numerous excellent. I might have most popular him having come away somewhat slower however he did not and he made all however the remaining leap.”
Ruthin and Dettori within the parade ring ahead of the Windsor Citadel Stakes at Royal Ascot
Ruthin
(Palace of Holyroodhouse Handicap)
A 3-year-old Irish-bred daughter of Ribchester, Ruthin completed seven as the favorite within the Windsor Citadel Stakes remaining yr.
She did not run once more till successful the Limestone Stakes, a 5 and a part furlong turf race at Keeneland in mid-April, via a neck.
“She had somewhat little bit of a throat factor remaining yr, we did not do any surgical treatment or the rest, the vet mentioned simply give her time to expand so we simply gave her time,” Ward mentioned.
“Barbara’s in reality serious about getting no matter we will to Ascot so she warranted going there successful the Limestone.”
Ward believes Ruthin will probably be higher at 5 furlongs than 5 and a part “so she will have a excellent appearing as smartly.”
Campanelle bids for a 3rd good fortune at Ascot this yr
Campanelle
(Platinum Jubilee Stakes)
This four-year-old daughter of Kodiac seeks her 3rd immediately victory at Ascot having gained, the Crew 2 Queen Mary Stakes in 2020 and, by way of disqualification the Crew 1 Commonwealth remaining yr.
She got here off a six-month layoff to win the Giants Causeway, a indexed stakes going 5 and a part furlongs at Keeneland in mid-April.
“Irad rode her very with a bit of luck,” Ward mentioned. “I advised him that she likes the out of doors, so he more or less broke and had a dangle of her from the primary leap and simply more or less labored his approach out. He let her cross and stale she went. It was once a large race.”
Campanelle has worn blinkers in her earlier two begins to Ascot however took them off for her race within the Giants Causeway.
Ward mentioned that Campanelle had a historical past of bearing out in her races, however “this yr she’s lovely immediately so we took them off.”
Ward additionally prefers the six furlongs to 5 furlongs. “She’s higher six than 5, she’s were given a large lengthy, stride to her.”
