American raider No Nay Never smashed the five-furlong record for juveniles with a stunning performance in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Trained by Wesley Ward, who last tasted success at the meeting when saddling a double with Strike The Tiger and Jealous Again in 2009, the two-year-old was having just his second start but towered above his rivals in the parade ring.
He was ridden by Joel Rosario, who won the Dubai World Cup in March on Animal Kingdom.
Unusually for an American horse he missed the break but after two furlongs he was in front.
Rosario was then content to take a pull and was headed, but he found another lease of life and powered clear to win by a length, breaking the track record in the process.
All the talk pre-race was about the Aidan O’Brien-trained Coach House and he was sent off the 9-4 favourite but had no answer to the winner in second.
“I’ve always felt he’s the most talented horse I’ve trained and he proved so today. He’ll wait for other horses in a race, but I don’t teach my horses to run away from the rest and he was waiting for the others to come,” said Ward.
“I’ve spoken to the owners and what I’d like to do is get him home to Keeneland on Saturday, give him a break then bring him back for the Prix Morny at Deauville (August 18).”
