A double on the second day of Royal Ascot has given trainer Sir Michael Stoute a record 77 winners at the meeting.
He passed the late Sir Henry Cecil when Poet’s Word gave him his 76th Royal Ascot win when he upset Cracksman to win the Group One Prince Of Wales’s Stakes.
Later in the day, Expert Eye, ridden by Sydney jockey James McDonald, won the Group Three Jersey Stakes to take Stoute to 77.
Since sending out Etienne Gerard to win the Jersey Stakes as an unfancied 25-1 shot back in 1977, Stoute has claimed almost every race at the prestigious meeting including the Gold Cup for the Queen in 2013.
“I thought we would have two or three winners last year and we didn’t, so I’ve not been thinking about it this time,” Stoute said.
“I’m grateful for anything. Last year we had about 16 runners and five losing favourites!
“I repeatedly say I’ve had more cracks at it than he (Cecil) did as the five-day meeting has not been going for that long.
“Henry created those numbers when there were four days of Royal Ascot for most of his career. We’re very glad it’s happened and it’s a great reflection on the staff.”
Poet’s Word and Cracksman are among the horses invited by the Moonee Valley Racing Club to the Cox Plate in October.
