Jubilee Stakes win for Society Rock

Society Rock, trained by James Fanshawe and ridden by Pat Cosgrave, won the Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Society Rock, last year’s Golden Jubilee Stakes runner-up, went one place better at Royal Ascot.

Tuesday’s King’s Stand second Star Witness looked the likely winner when quickening to the lead inside the last of the six furlongs, but he was unable to sustain that effort.

James Fanshawe’s Society Rock finished off the race best under Pat Cosgrave to score by half a length at 25-1.

Monsieur Chevalier filled the runner-up spot, with Star Witness a fine third.

It was a particularly satisfying outcome for Cosgrave, who was securing his first Royal Ascot winner.

The jockey rode a patient race on Society Rock, settling his mount towards the rear of the far-side group.

He had to make do with the runner-up spot behind Starspangledbanner 12 months ago, but flew home to go one place better this time around.

A handful of runners raced towards the stands’ side rail, but were unable to match strides with their rivals on the other side of the track.

Bewitched was sent off the 3-1 favourite and although she raced exuberantly over on the far side for a long way, the Irish challenger was under pressure from over a furlong out and failed to land a significant blow.

Fanshawe said: ``He has never raced before on the ground but he obviously likes it.

“It’s great for Pat as he rode a fantastic race.”

Cosgrave added: “A lot of people have doubted this horse on his first two runs this year, but James knew this was the plan.

“He handled the ground well and showed what a good horse he is.

“I ended up getting the splits at the right time.

“All Group Ones are nice but it’s nice to get a first Royal Ascot winner on the board.”

Fanshawe continued: ``It's fantastic this horse has come good.

“I’m absolutely thrilled with this horse.

“He was slightly forgotten last year when he was second, but he was never really right afterwards.

“He’s taken his time to fire this spring but his last two bits of work were very good.”

Richard Hannon's Monsieur Chevalier was 11th in the King's Stand and this effort represented a huge step forward.

Assistant trainer Richard Hannon jnr said: “That was a huge run and it gives us all the big sprints now as options.

“He was off a long time, but that was probably a career-best effort.”

Danny O’Brien was proud of Star Witness, adding: “He’s run two great races this week.

“He was perhaps a bit unlucky on Tuesday and today the wet ground hasn’t helped him.

“We came here with three races on the agenda. The July Cup is the last one, so we’ll keep on eye on him over the next couple of weeks.”

The three-year-old Elzaam was not beaten far into fourth.

His jockey, Richard Hills, said: “He was taking on the real big sprinters for the first time and I’m very proud of him.”