It was a day of celebrations for two Kevins – Stott and Ryan after the pair made it a double at Royal Ascot with Hello Youmzain and Hey Jonesy. Yorkshire trainer Kevin Ryan and jockey Kevin Stott kicked off with Hello Youmzan in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes.
For Stott it was a first ever Group 1 victory and the occasion clearly meant a great deal as he struggled to hold back the tears.
“I can’t describe how thankful I am for the owners,” said Stott. “Kevin (Ryan) gave me a lot of confidence and said ride him as the best horse in the race.”
Stott now has no regrets that a career as a footballer failed to happen.
“I’m glad Tottenham turned me down for being too small now!” he remarked.
Stott and Ryan also celebrated after Hey Jonesy took the Wokingham Stakes.
Returning to the winners’ enclosure, Stott shook his head in disbelief.
“You can’t describe it at all,” said Stott. “It’s just amazing.”
Stott, along with riding colleagues, donated their riding fees to the NHS.
History was made after Nado Parrado, a 150-1 shot, became the biggest priced winner at Royal Ascot after his success in the Coventry Stakes.
Tom Marquand emulated his girlfriend Hollie Doyle by riding his first Royal Ascot winner with Who Dares Wins in the Queen Alexandra Stakes.
Like Doyle’s winner, on Thursday with Scarlet Dragon, Who Dares Win is trained by Alan King and owned by Henry Ponsonby.
Royal Ascot live results
12:40 Silver Wokingham Handicap 21 Runners, Class 2, 6f
1) Chiefofchiefs 2) Burmese Waltz 3) Nahaar
13:15 Queen Mary Stakes (Fillies’ Group 2) 18 Runners, Class 1, 5f
1) Campanelle 2) Sacred 3) Caroline Dale
13:50 Coventry Stakes (Group 2) 15 Runners, Class 1, 6f
1) Nando Parrado 2) Qaader 3) Saeiqa
14:25 Coronation Stakes (Fillies’ Group 1) 7 Runners, Class 1, 7f 213y
1) Alpine Star 2) Sharing 3) Quadrilateral
15:00 St James’s Palace Stakes (Group 1) 7 Runners, Class 1, 7f 213y
1) Palace Pier, 2) Pinatubo, 3) Wichita
15:35 Diamond Jubilee Stakes (Group 1) 10 Runners, Class 1, 6f
1) Hello Youmzain, 2) Dream Of Dreams, 3) Sceptical
16:10 Wokingham Stakes (Handicap) 22 Runners, Class 2, 6f
1) Hey Jonesy, 2) Summerghand, 3) Spanish City
16:40 Queen Alexandra Stakes (Conditions Race) 10 Runners, Class 2, 2m 5f 143y
1) Who Dares Wins, 2) The Grand Visir, 3) Mukha Magic