Queen Anne Result: Ribchester wins for Godolphin

Ridden by William Buick, the Godolphin-owned Ribchester (11/10f) sat towards the head of the main group of runners, which declined to chase the overly-strong pace set by Toscanini and Dutch Uncle.

As the pacemakers weakened, causing some traffic problems in behind, Ribchester hit the front but started to hang to his left. Second-favourite Mutakayyef (5/1) made a strong challenge at that point under Jim Crowley, however Ribchester found plenty for pressure when challenged, eventually scoring by one and a quarter lengths in a record time of 1m 36.60s, beating Integral's 2014 record of 1min 37.09sec.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained Deauville (12/1), ridden by Ryan Moore, was third, just ahead of the 50/1 German raider Spectre, trained by Markus Munch.

The win for Godolphin was an appropriate way to mark 40 years to the day since Sheikh Mohammed's first success as an owner (Hatta, Brighton, June 20, 1987).

Ribchester gets #RoyalAscot favourite backers off to the ideal start as the 11-10 favourite flies home to land the Queen Anne pic.twitter.com/4a7fG8HjEW

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) June 20, 2017

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Fahey said: "I'm just delighted he has won. You can never be confident but everything dropped into place there. He has huge gears and he is never in trouble. He gets the trip and that makes him a good horse.

"It wasn't really the plan to go that quick with Toscanini [pacemaker] and I did tell Paul [Hanagan, jockey] to bounce out this time. He more or less took off and probably didn't lead Ribchester far enough.

"Look Ribchester is just an exceptional horse. He has to be the best horse I have ever trained. He broke the track record here today and that's not being disrespectful to the others, but he is just exceptional.

"It was a good pressure coming into the race as he was the right horse to have the pressure on. I was quietly confident that he would win as everything was good with him before the race - I'm in a happy place.

"He gets lonely out in front sometimes. I don't think it is pressure and he just went walkabouts.

"William doesn't feel that the tank is empty with him and that he is getting stronger the whole time. Mentally, he is also getting better which is a great attitude to have in a racehorse - he is starting to think he is good."

Fahey suggested a tilt at the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood is next on the agenda for the colt, who is now 6/5 with Paddy Power for the race. "The Sussex Stakes is where he has to go really. The French race [Prix Jacques Le Marois] which he won last year is only 10 days after the Sussex so we can't go to both. I was always hoping that he would stay further but at the moment, I don't need to go further."

Sheikh Mohammed, Godolphin's founder, was delighted with the performance of the 11/10 favourite and said: "Ribchester was always travelling well with the field. He is a good horse.

"Iffraaj is a very good stallion. He is one of our best stallions and has produced this one [Ribchester].

"Hatta was my first horse and people were surprised when she beat the favourite at Brighton (40 years ago today). From that day, we have moved forward and we are really enjoying it.

"In life there is no winning post. You have to keep going otherwise the rest will catch up with you.

"Royal Ascot is a great place to win. It is very difficult to win because everybody comes from America, Australia and all over the world to Royal Ascot."

Buick said: "We were worried about the draw [in stall one], but we knew we had the best horse in the race, and that always makes things easier. There is no substitute for that, and as I said after Newbury [where he won the Lockinge Stakes] he is getting more versatile. I heard he broke the track record, but I believe he has more to give.

"He's a pretty awesome horse, he travels so well and sees it out so well, and Richard and Sheikh Mohammed have done so well with him. He's a joy to ride and always gives his best. He is a jockey's dream. This is the biggest week in our sport, and to wear the royal blue of Godolphin for Sheikh Mohammed here is fantastic.

"I got a nice tow into the race from Miss Temple City, but I knew we were going hard and she would fall away quickly - I didn't want to break his stride, so knew I would get there quite quickly and I expected him to look at the big stands. There's a lot going on today, but he always keeps going.

"He's the best miler I've ridden, and as good as any that are out there at the moment."

He added: "The ground is going to get a lot quicker. I suppose it will be near firm by the end of the day."

Queen Anne Stakes 2017 Full Result