Hardwicke Stakes
 QuinnBet
Group 2, Ascot 15:40
£250,000 guaranteed,
4yo plus,
1m 3f 211y, Class 1  
Saturday 22nd June 2024

Boylesports

1 Isle Of Jura 16/1
2 Goliath 18/1
3 Middle Earth 9/4
9 ran Distances: 3¾l, ¾l, 1l
Time: 2m 32.19s (slow by 2.49s)

George Scott’s Isle Of Jura was rated in the low 70s last year, but is fast becoming a middle-distance operator to be reckoned with after winning five races on the spin.

Following a winter hat-trick in Bahrain, the four-year-old made a successful return to Britain in the Listed Festival Stakes at Goodwood last month – but with Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe fifth Continuous among his rivals, he was sent off at 16-1 stepping up to Group Two level.

Partnered by Callum Shepherd, who earlier this season lost the ride on Derby runner-up Ambiente Friendly, the New Approach gelding moved to the heels of the pacesetters at the top of the home straight before finding a gear his rivals simply could not match.

Such was the authority with which he won, Shepherd was able to take a look at the big screen in the closing strides before standing up in the stirrups to salute the crowd, with three and three-quarter lengths separating him and French raider Goliath at the line.

Middle Earth was third, with 13-8 favourite Continuous back in fifth on what was his first competitive appearance since the Arc in October.

Scott said: “He’s an exceptional racehorse and it was an exceptional race from start to finish. He was the right horse at the right time (in his career).

“It’s amazing. Just over a year ago he was well beaten in a Thirsk maiden. To do this for Sheikh Nasser (Victorious Racing), such a big supporter of mine, is very special.

“We are just blessed to have him, he’s repaid us time and time again and the journey from hereon in is going to be very very special.

“Most best-laid plans go to pot, but this has been a long-term plan. This was an obvious race for him. We knew Goodwood would bring him on, and it has. We knew he would get the ground, and he has. It was a scintillating performance, so we shall enjoy it.

“Callum is a top-class rider he had his horse in the right position all the way, kicked nice and early and put the race to bed. It was a perfect ride. All roads lead to the King George, 100 per cent.”

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Shepherd said: “I’m really struggling to compose myself.

“He’s such a special horse for George and the team. Make no mistake, he never lets us down.

“Obviously the last six weeks have been very difficult, but that just feels very special.”

Fresh from his winner on Friday, Francis-Henri Graffard said of Goliath: “We came here because we wanted to avoid the French style of racing, with no pace, and unfortunately today they decided to do a little bit of the same. My horse was a bit too keen through the race; he’s difficult to manage, but not too bad today.

“I walked the course and there was a good cover of grass and I thought it was safe ground for him, but he’s probably better with a bit of cut.

“He has to settle in his races to be able to stay and to produce a good turn of foot, but we are very pleased with the run – he’s a very nice horse and we beat some very nice horses, too. He’s entered in the King George, but we’ll see what the weather forecast is. I don’t know – it’s a long journey and a tough race, but why not?”

BetZone

Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2)
£250,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 1m 3f 211y, Class 1
9 ran
Going: Good to Firm

POS. (DRAW) DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 (5)    Isle Of Jura 4 9-3 George Scott Callum Shepherd 16/1
2 (1) 3¾ Goliath 4 9-3 F-H Graffard Maxime Guyon 18/1
3 (8) ¾ Middle Earth 4 9-3 John & Thady Gosden Oisin Murphy 9/4
4 (9) 1 Candleford 6 9-3 William Haggas William Buick 14/1
5 (7) ½ Continuous 4 9-3 A P O'Brien Ryan Moore 13/8F
6 (2) 8½ Crypto Force 4 9-3 Adrian Murray Rossa Ryan 66/1
7 (6) ½ Elegant Man 4 9-3 Adrian Murray David Egan 20/1
8 (4) 1¼ Desert Hero 4 9-3 William Haggas Tom Marquand 8/1
9 (3) 14 Missed The Cut 5 9-3 John W Sadler James Doyle 11/1

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HARDWICKE STAKES WINNERS

YR/DATE GR WINNER TRAINER JOCKEY OWNER AGE/WGT SP

2023 2 PYLEDRIVER William Muir & Chris Grassick P J McDonald 6 9-03 7/2
2022 2 BROOME A P O'Brien Ryan Moore M Matsushima & Mrs J Magnier & M Tabor & D Smith 6 9-03 6/1
2021 2 WONDERFUL TONIGHT David Menuisier William Buick Christopher Wright 4 8-12 5/1
2020 2 FANNY LOGAN John Gosden Frankie Dettori HH Sheikha Al Jalila Racing 4-8-12 17/2
2019 2 DEFOE Roger Varian Andrea Atzeni Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum 5-9-01 11/4F
2018 2 CRYSTAL OCEAN Sir Michael Stoute Ryan Moore Sir Evelyn de Rothschild 4-9-01 4/7F
2017 2 IDAHO Aidan O’Brien IRE Seamie Heffernan Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier 4-9-01 9/2
2016 2 DARTMOUTH Sir Michael Stoute Olivier Peslier H M The Queen 4-9-01 10/1
2015 2 SNOW SKY Sir Michael Stoute Pat Smullen Khalid Abdullah 4-9-01 12/1
2014 2 TELESCOPE Sir Michael Stoute Ryan Moore Highclere Thoroughbred Racing 4-9-01 7/4F
2013 2 THOMAS CHIPPENDALE Lady Cecil Johnny Murtagh Sir Robert Ogden 4-9-00 8/1
2012 2 SEA MOON Sir Michael Stoute Ryan Moore Khalid Abdullah 4-9-00 3/1F
2011 2 AWAIT THE DAWN Aidan O’Brien IRE Ryan Moore Michael Tabor & Sue Magnier 4-9-00 4/6F
2010 2 HARBINGER Sir Michael Stoute Ryan Moore Highclere Thoroughbred Racing 4-9-00 8/11F
2009 2 BRONZE CANNON John Gosden Jimmy Fortune Anthony Oppenheimer 4-9-03 8/1
2008 MACARTHUR Aidan O’Brien IRE Johnny Murtagh Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor 4-9-00 11/8F
2007 2 MARAAHEL Sir Michael Stoute Richard Hills Hamdan Al Maktoum 6-9-00 100/30
06/24/06 2 MARAAHEL Sir Michael Stoute Richard Hills Hamdan Al Maktoum 5-9-00 9/2
*05/18/06 2 BANDARI Mark Johnston Willie Supple Hamdan Al Maktoum 6-8-09 10/1
04/19/06 2 DOYEN Saeed bin Suroor Frankie Dettori Godolphin 4-8-09 6/5F
03/21/06 2 INDIAN CREEK David Elsworth Richard Quinn Seymour Cohn 5-8-09 14/1
02/22/06 2 ZINDABAD Mark Johnston Kevin Darley Abdulla Buhaleeba 6-8-12 4/1
01/22/06 2 SANDMASON Henry Cecil Willie Ryan Plantation Stud 4-8-09 12/1
00/23/06 2 FRUITS OF LOVE Mark Johnston Olivier Peslier Mick Doyle 4-8-12 9/2
99/18/06 2 FRUITS OF LOVE Mark Johnston Olivier Peslier Mick Doyle 4-8-12 12/1
98/19/06 2 POSIDONAS Paul Cole Pat Eddery Athos Christodoulou 6-8-09 15/2
97/20/06 2 PREDAPPIO Saeed bin Suroor Gary Stevens Godolphin 4-8-12 6/1
96/21/06 2 OSCAR SCHINDLER Kevin Prendergast IRE Michael Kinane Oliver Lehane 4-8-09 7/4F
95/23/06 2 BEAUCHAMP HERO John Dunlop John Reid Erik Penser 5-8-09 11/2
94/17/06 2 BOBZAO Terry Mills John Reid Terry Mills 5-8-09 11/1
93/18/06 2 JEUNE Geoff Wragg Ray Cochrane Exors of late Sir Robin McAlpine 4-8-09 7/2
92/19/06 2 ROCK HOPPER Michael Stoute Pat Eddery Maktoum Al Maktoum 5-8-12 8/15F
91/21/06 2 ROCK HOPPER Michael Stoute Pat Eddery Maktoum Al Maktoum 4-8-12 5/6F
90/22/06 2 ASSATIS Guy Harwood Ray Cochrane S Harada 5-9-00 50/1
89/23/06 2 ASSATIS Guy Harwood Pat Eddery Khalid Abdullah 4-8-09 4/11F
88/17/06 2 ALMAARAD John Dunlop Willie Carson Hamdan Al Maktoum 5-8-12 6/1
87/19/06 2 ORBAN Henry Cecil Steve Cauthen Prince A A Faisal 4-8-09 11/4
86/20/06 2 DIHISTAN Michael Stoute Pat Eddery H H Aga Khan 4-8-09 11/2
85/21/06 2 JUPITER ISLAND Clive Brittain Lester Piggott The Marquess of Tavistock 6-8-09 85/40
84/22/06 2 KHAIRPOUR Fulke Johnson Houghton Steve Cauthen G J Chittick 5-8-12 13/2
83/17/06 2 STANERRA Frank Dunne IRE Brian Rouse Frank Dunne 5-8-09 4/1
82/18/06 2 CRITIQUE Henry Cecil Lester Piggott Garo Vanlan 4-8-09 7/2
81/19/06 2 PELERIN Harry Wragg Brian Taylor Sir Phillip Oppenheimer 4-8-12 7/1
80/20/062 SCORPIO Francois Boutin FR Philippe Paquet Gerry Oldham 4-9-00 2/1F
79/22/06 2 OBRAZTSOVY Ryan Price Brian Taylor Robert Sangster 4-8-09 9/4F
78/23/06 2 MONTCONTOUR Maurice Zilber FR Yves Saint-Martin Mrs H H Hausmann 4-8-12 25/1
77/17/06 2 MENEVAL Vincent O’Brien IRE Lester Piggott Mrs George F Getty II 4-9-00 2/1F
*run at York