Royal Ascot still regal even against 'headwinds'
ASCOT The "headwinds" of prizemoney and rival racing festivals are even more concerning than they were last year. Nevertheless, the quality of foreign runners at Royal Ascot is "pretty positive", director of racing Nick Smith told AFP.
The five-day meeting - described by Hong Kong-based Australian trainer David Hayes as "Melbourne Cup week on steroids" - which starts on June 17 is commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Royal Procession.
Thankfully for the members of the Royal Family and their guests, the carriages are led by horses considerably slower than the splendid thoroughbreds that provide the day's entertainment.
Mixing it with the best of mainstream European talent, there will be runners from Japan, Australia, the United States and "quirky" runners from Norway.
Despite famous victories for Australian horses in years gone by from Choisir's remarkable double to superstar Black Caviar and American star Tepin, it takes both a lot of hard graft and Smith's powers of persuasion to coax their successors back.
Smith concedes that being unable to compete in terms of prize money - Royal Ascot will boast at least £10 million (S$17.4 million) in 2025 - with festivals such as Dubai and Saudi Arabia makes his task that much tougher.
"The headwinds are more concerning and more widespread than last year," said Smith.
"None of those problems have gone away and they have even been exacerbated. It is getting harder and harder every year.
"Over 50 Japanese horses went to Saudi and Dubai and those sort of numbers are not replicated in Europe.
"We are doing our best in difficult circumstances. So overall I am satisfied with the situation."
Smith says subsidies are offered to runners that are three-years and older as "you have to do that, you would get nowhere if you did not".
Two-year-olds are excluded as "they could be anything, and if we did, there would be planeloads of them".
Satono Reve, who bids to become Japan's first winner at the meeting after 10 previous challengers fell short, in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (1,200m) on June 21 and America's top-rated US turf horse Carl Spackler, who is Australia-bound, in the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes (1,600m) on the opening day are perhaps the most eye-catching.
Previously trained by Chad Brown, Carl Spackler was bought by Yulong and will race at Ascot under Melbourne champion trainer Ciaron Maher and will be partnered by Sydney champion jockey James McDonald.
The eight-time winner by Lope De Vega will then continue his career in Australia.
"It would not be the strongest year nor the weakest," said Smith.
"The numbers are not so relevant, more important is they are genuinely competitive.
"Wesley Ward's two-year-old's are very strong. There are also a few quirky horses, including a Norwegian runner later in the week.
"The Australian Asfoora coming back (after winning the King Charles III Stakes last year) is great, though the Aussie sprinters this year have been up and down truth be known.
"Overall, though, pretty positive."
Smith says of course there are names missing that would have enriched the meeting even more.
"One is always wanting more," he said. "I would have liked Hong Kong stars Romantic Warrior and Ka Ying Rising but one has to accept that talent seems to spread itself around."
However, there is much for Smith to enthuse about. Attendance forecast is up from 2024, and the Saturday of Royal Ascot remains the only race meeting outside of the US that NBC broadcasts on its main channel.
"As ever it is a big week, a chance to be positive, show the best of British racing, advertise what Britain does best," he said.
"We can get back to the politics and controversy in a week or so's time, which I am sure we will." AFP
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