Owners Martyn and Elaine Booth are no strangers to success at the Berkshire track, but Hickory’s surprise 22-1 score in the Victoria Cup is a day they will never forget.
Winners of the 2007 Windsor Castle Stakes at the royal meeting with Drawnfromthepast, the Booths once again teamed up with Lambourn trainer Jamie Osborne to triumph in the £100,000 feature.
Hickory, who was ending a winless run dating back to December 2022, was ridden by Saffie Osborne and finished a nose clear of 5-1 favourite Qirat on his first start for the yard, setting a new course-record time in the process.
Martyn Booth said: “It’s one of the biggest achievements we’ve had. We had a winner in the Windsor Castle with Jamie, but this is very special.
“We’re good friends with him. He’s a great trainer and we’ve known him since he was a jockey. He rode for us when we had horses with Kim Bailey, and when he first started training we sent horses to him.”
The Booths have been involved in ownership since 1993 and also have jumps horses with Jonjo and AJ O’Neill.
Booth added: “We’ve had good days and bad days, but this is very special. Saffie knows the horse very well and she said he likes to come from behind and challenge. She rode a fantastic race.
“We weren’t expecting him to win. We hoped he’d run a good race, but this is the icing on the cake.”
Royal date next
Military Code was introduced at 6-1 favourite for the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot after making it two wins from two starts in the 5f novice.
Trained by Charlie Appleby and ridden by William Buick, who last weekend combined to land both the 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas, the Wootton Bassett juvenile backed up his Newmarket win from last month when finishing a neck clear of 33-1 shot Fitzella.
Buick said: “We thought it was a warm race on paper with good pedigrees and expensive horses, and we’ve used his experience.
“He’s going to improve and you have to think the royal meeting will come under consideration for him. He’s got plenty of speed for five furlongs, but I do think he will stay six.”
Rainbows Edge wins the mile fillies’ handicap for the King and Queen under William BuickCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)
The Classic-winning rider then teamed up with John and Thady Gosden to land the mile fillies’ handicap on Rainbows Edge.
Owned by the King and Queen, the four-year-old could also be Royal Ascot-bound next month.
John Gosden said: “She’s done it well and she’s a very game filly. She’s got a great attitude and up to a mile and a quarter would be her best trip.
“We’ll put her in the Duke of Cambridge because I think a good, stiff mile here will suit her.”
The Gosdens brought up a double when Morrophore produced a powerful turn of foot to strike in the 1m2f fillies’ handicap.
Ridden by Luke Catton, who completed his own double onboard Northcliff in division one of the 6f handicap, the four-year-old finished four and three-quarters of a length clear of Rock Camelot.
Breezes to victory
Ian Williams believes Night Breeze showed a significant amount of improvement when he returned to winning ways in the 1m4f handicap.
The 16-1 shot was scoring for the fourth time in 17 starts, and Williams said: “He was a nice horse last year, but once or twice he let us down by being too keen. He’s grown up well and he’s progressed.”
Williams, who was scoring for the first time since April 10, added: “We’ve had a quiet start in May, so it’s nice to get on the board. It’s good to have a winner at Ascot and it’s good to see the horse show progression.”
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