O'Brien had a double on the first day of the meeting to move within two of yet another landmark in his astonishing career becoming the first trainer to train 100 Royal Ascot winners. Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla were present -- though the horse that ran in the royal colours Reaching High did not live up to his name finishing last in the Ascot Stakes. Mission Central swooped late to deny Australian race favourite Overpass, who also lost out for second to French runner Rayevka. The winner was perhaps fortunate Hong Kong's crack sprinter Ka Ying Rising did not come."Aidan can do anything, can't he," said Moore.
Britain's King Charles III reacts as race favourite Reaching High running in the royal colours finishes last in the Ascot Stakes © JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP
Never the most garrulous of characters, Moore brushed aside that his 93rd Royal Ascot winner had also completed the Royal Ascot Group One full house. "For me it is race to race really. I am just lucky to ride for Aidan and Coolmore," said the 42-year-old Englishman.Overpass's jockey Josh Parr was gracious in defeat."It has been a mindblowing experience," he said."I am so honoured to be competing here. I did not get the victory I so wanted but it was a great performance."O'Brien had got off the mark in the preceding race the Group Two Coventry Stakes.However, Moore chose the wrong one this time, Wayne Lordan guiding home Great Barrier Reef to make it three wins from three outings.For Lordan it was his first win at the meeting since 2020, but O'Brien's 12th in the Coventry -- it was the first race at Ascot he won back in 1997 with 16/1 shot Harbour Master.'Blown away'O'Brien though had to give second best in the Group One St James's Palace Stakes -- his Gstaad just being nosed out of first by the odds-on favourite Bow Echo.Bow Echo's jockey Billy Loughnane looked nervous as he waited for the photo finish decision -- before punching the air with delight.
