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Great Barrier Reef shows class and guts in Coventry success
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Tue 16 Jun 2026
Great Barrier Reef maintained his unbeaten run as Aidan O’Brien took a step closer to a century of Royal Ascot wins with victory in the Coventry Stakes.
Jaan Ki Tukri set the early pace on the near side, being stalked by the O’Brien-trained Confucius (2-1 favourite) as the race began to take shape.
But Wayne Lordan had Great Barrier Reef (6-1) prominent throughout and came down the centre of the track to take it up with a furlong to go, showing plenty of guts to keep his head in front and come home half a length clear of Adaay Of Scarlett.
The win moved O’Brien to 97 Royal meeting winners after a 12th success in this race.
O’Brien said: “This horse, he’s obviously not a home worker, and before he won the last day we were a little bit disappointed with his work as well, but obviously he’s better on the track. But we always loved him.
“He was there with a very live chance – he’s an unbeaten horse, you know. He’s always been smart.
“This race was my first Ascot winner (1997 Harbour Master), the history of this race is incredible.
“Confucius is a better worker at home. Before this lad ran the last day his work at home was a bit confusing, he didn’t show as much as we thought he would but he ran and won.
“We worked him again and Ryan’s horse (Moore, Confucious) worked better again so he obviously saves himself for the track.
“We thought he was very good when he won first time – I think he won by five or six lengths that day, then he was green the last day and still won a good race. He handles different types of ground, is a lovely straightforward horse and I he’ll get further than six, too.”
Great Barrier Reef came home strongly to land the Coventry Stakes and put Aidan O'Brien within three of a century of Royal Ascot winners. (Photo: Francesca Altoft - focusonracing.com)
Lordan said:“When he started to roll forward with me, he was probably drifting a little bit left looking for a bit of company, because I was out there on my own, but I always knew he was running forward, so I thought I had every chance. You never know if you pass the line in front, but I hit the line well.
“Because I was over where I was, I thought David Egan (on Bull Shark) was probably the only pace that I had to follow, and I just wanted to follow him and keep it simple. From halfway I just started coming forward, and he kept picking up all the way to the line.
“He feels like he hit the line well enough to be able to step up in trip.
“Any time you come here for rides, you’re happy, and particularly to get a winner on your first ride of the meeting – the rest can only be better.”
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