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Blue Point pulls off famous sprint double at Royal Ascot
Charlie Appleby-trained sprinter wins Diamond Jubilee Stakes four days after King's Stand triumph.
A proud Appleby stands with Blue Point and his groom after the Diamond Jubilee Stakes. Picture: Racingfotos.com
Blue Point became the first horse since Australian sprinter Choisir in 2003 to complete the King's Stand Stakes and Diamond Jubilee Stakes double at Royal Ascot.
Trained by Charlie Appleby and ridden by James Doyle, the five-year-old son of Shamardal won the £600,000 event by a head from Sir Michael Stoute's Dream Of Dreams.
Kachy, who made much of the running, was another two-and-a-half lengths back in third, with Speak In Colours fourth.
Blue Point, sent off the 6/4 favourite, has now won five of his six starts at Ascot and Newmarket handler Appleby was emotional when discussing the star sprinter after the race.
He said after the QIPCO British Champions Series contest: "Blue Point had eaten up after the King's Stand Stakes and we got fluids and everything else into him quite quickly after the race.
"He is a horse who gains weight quickly and the most encouraging part was this morning was when we weighed him on the horsebox and he weighed 536kg which is bang on his weight.
"I just knew he was in good order and if anything I thought he was more relaxed today.
"It's great for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and Godolphin. The team at home have done a phenomenal job and I could go on and on thanking an awful lot of people.
"It's very sporting of Sheikh Mohammed to allow me to run this horse back so quickly, but it is also what racing is all about – letting these horses do what they are good at.
"Words can't describe what we think about this horse. He showed huge courage today. Full credit has to go to the horse.
"I'm in a very fortunate position that I get to train these fantastic horses."
Of plans for Blue Point, he added: "We will let the dust settle, this was always going to be his last year, win lose or draw. We'll enjoy this moment and let the horse have a rest – he probably needs it for a couple of weeks."
Doyle said: "Blue Point is a horse you only dream about having. He has really learnt what his job is about and he has got better and better with each race.
"He went down to the start today like an ultimate professional. He jumps, travels and does everything he wants you to do.
"Blue Point gave me an unbelievable feeling. I said to Charlie after his last piece of work before the King's Stand that I thought he was the quickest horse I have ever ridden, and he certainly is that."
Danny Tudhope, who rode Dream Of Dreams, said: "Dream Of Dreams has run great and in another stride I would have won. He is a better horse now."
Richard Kingscote, jockey of Kachy, commented: "Kachy ran a career-best. He enjoyed himself, put it to them, and got beat by the best going."
Oisin Murphy, partnering The Tin Man, who was sixth, said: "It was a super run from The Tin Man, he just lacked the acceleration late on. It is a fantastic result for racing – Blue Point is a true champion."
P J McDonald aboard seventh-placed Invincible Army reported: "I was in the box seat with a lovely position, but for some reason did not gallop out through the line and was weak the last furlong."
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