Ombudsman claims Prince of Wales’s Stakes, but the joy is tempered by the tragic loss of Harry’s Girl in opening race
Ombudsman delivers for Gosden duo in showpiece race
Royal Ascot’s second day saw drama both triumphant and tragic, with Ombudsman storming home in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes—one of the week’s headline races—just hours after the heartbreaking death of two-year-old filly Harry’s Girl in the Queen Mary Stakes.
Guided by jockey William Buick, Ombudsman showcased a dazzling turn of foot to surge clear in the final furlong, finishing two lengths ahead of runner-up Anmaat, with See The Fire in third. The 7-1 winner gave trainers John and Thady Gosden their second victory of the day and extended their remarkable Royal Ascot record.
“It was a case of waiting for the gap, and this horse has an extraordinary turn of foot,” said John Gosden, who now boasts 70 wins at the famed meeting. “This week has been very special.” Ombudsman’s win came despite a blistering early pace, reportedly topping 40mph in the second furlong, which may have cost favourite Los Angeles, who faded to finish fifth.
Tragedy strikes in the Queen Mary Stakes
The day began in sorrow as Harry’s Girl suffered a fatal leg injury during the Queen Mary Stakes, overshadowing the racing festivities. The filly, trained by Richard Hannon and ridden by Sean Levey, was quickly pulled up midway through the five-furlong sprint and did not survive the injury.
“She was a lovely filly with a fantastic character. We’re absolutely heartbroken,” Hannon said in a statement following the incident. Harry’s Girl was making her third career start, having already shown great promise with a first and second-place finish in previous outings.
Ascot Racecourse confirmed the tragic news in a statement: “Unfortunately, Harry’s Girl suffered a fatal injury during the Queen Mary Stakes. Our thoughts go out to all connections at this time.” The race itself was won by 9-4 favourite True Love under Ryan Moore, trained by Aidan O’Brien, with 100-1 outsider Flowerhead coming in second.
Crimson Advocate and Havana Hurricane claim emotional victories
While the loss of Harry’s Girl cast a long shadow, the Gosden yard found reason to celebrate earlier with a victory in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes. Crimson Advocate, guided with precision by James McDonald, stormed down the outside to snatch the win. The New Zealand-based jockey, known for his impeccable timing, was riding the same horse that had won the King Charles III Stakes at Ascot just a year prior.
The day’s most emotional win came via Havana Hurricane in the Windsor Castle Stakes. Trainer Eve Johnson Houghton dedicated the victory to her late father, Fulke Johnson Houghton, a Classic-winning trainer who passed away in February. “I’m missing my dad—he’d be proud. He’d be the first person I’d ring,” she said tearfully. Jockey Charlie Bishop, who also won the race in 2021 with Chipotle, was clearly moved as well.
Royal hopes dashed as Rainbows Edge finishes seventh
Expectations were high for King Charles and Queen Camilla, who had hoped Rainbows Edge would bring home a victory in the Kensington Palace Stakes. But despite going off as favourite, the royal contender could not deliver, finishing a disappointing seventh. The race was claimed by 11-1 shot Miss Information, ridden by Oisin Murphy for trainer Andrew Balding.
Murphy punched the air in triumph as he crossed the line, while the royal couple once again left the course without a win—Reaching High had previously finished ninth in the Ascot Stakes on Tuesday. Adding to the subdued mood in the royal enclosure, Princess Catherine, Princess of Wales, pulled out of a planned appearance. According to palace sources, she continues to focus on finding the right balance during her gradual return to public life after a cancer diagnosis.
More winners and standout performances
Elsewhere on the card, 3-1 favourite My Cloud etched his name into the history books by becoming the shortest-priced winner ever of the Royal Hunt Cup. Ridden by Silvestre de Sousa for trainer Roger Varian, My Cloud justified the heavy support in dominant fashion. Irish trainer Paddy Twomey also made his mark on the day. His unbeaten runner Carmers landed the Queen’s Vase in commanding style, handing him his first-ever Royal Ascot winner. The victory completed a rare treble for jockey Billy Lee, who added it to recent wins at Cheltenham and Aintree—an impressive feat across flat and jump racing alike.
A day of mixed emotions at Ascot
Wednesday at Royal Ascot was a poignant reminder of horse racing’s highs and lows. The dazzling talent of Ombudsman and the joy of landmark wins for trainers like Eve Johnson Houghton stood in stark contrast to the loss of Harry’s Girl—a filly full of promise who left the world of racing far too soon.
As the pageantry and thrill of Royal Ascot continue through the week, the memories of both triumph and tragedy will linger. For all its glamour, racing remains a sport rooted in risk and emotion, where victory and heartbreak often ride side by side.
