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Opportunity knocks to dash hopes of royal winner
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Fri 19 Jun 2026
Opportunity denied the King and Queen a Royal Ascot winner through Warrant Holder in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes.
It is three years since Desert Hero brought the house down by carrying the royal silks to success in the King George V Stakes and confidence was seemingly high in their latest contender, who was a 16-5 second-favourite to strike gold on day four.
Trained by John and Thady Gosden, the William Buick-ridden Warrant Holder looked likely to prevail after travelling smoothly into contention rounding the home turn and then hitting the front passing the two-furlong marker.
But New Zealand-born, Hong Kong-based rider James McDonald came from further back and got a dream run up the rail aboard the William Haggas-trained 6-1 shot Opportunity to spoil the party, with a length and three-quarters separating the pair at the line.
McDonald said: “I was lucky to be on a willing participant and he did everything I asked. This horse was trained to the minute. Even William said this is one of our best runners during the week, that’s just saying how good he was.
“I did see the royal colours and I’ve deep respect and admiration for them. I was just glad to get a winner at Royal Ascot, that’s the main thing and I’m enjoying every minute of it.
“I go home Sunday, but I want to be back next year.”
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