The Queen’s Dartmouth lands Yorkshire Cup under Ryan Moore for trainer Sir Michael Stoute
Moore gave Sir Michael Stoute's Royal stayer a terrific ride to rally up the rail in the straight and snatch victory from Simple Verse on the far side
DARTMOUTH made sure there was a Royal winner in the Betway Yorkshire Cup.
The Queen’s star swooped late to come out on top in a thrilling finish to the Group 2 feature prize on the final day of York’s Dante Meeting.
Ryan Moore was at his peerless best on Sir Michael Stoute’s five-year-old. Despite the field racing down the middle in the home straight, Dartmouth was hemmed in as the 1m6f race got serious.
He had to switch to the stands’ side and it was only a late surge that saw the 11-4 favourite grab Simple Verse by a neck.
There was the same distance back to High Jinx in third with Endless Time another head away in fourth.
Moore said: “He’s got mile-and-a-half pace. He travelled beautifully and is such an honest horse, but it didn't help that I was apart from them and he's done very well.
“That's his fourth Group race now, we know what he is, he's a very honest horse.”
Dartmouth gave the Queen a winner at her favourite meeting when landing the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot last year.
He’s now likely to attempt to retain that Group 2 trophy next month.
The Queen’s racing manager John Warren said: “I didn't think he was going to get there because they were so wide.
“Ryan had this plan to come this side, so he knew what he was doing. It was a remarkable ride, he's an absolute professional.
“This horse is exceptionally brave, so tough and genuine. Today proved he can pull out all the stops when he wants to.
“He’s a Hardwicke horse through and through. We’ll stick to Ascot over 1m4f and then just see if we could stretch his stamina further to be a proper cup horse. It might be a fun experiment.”
Main Desire is also heading for Royal Ascot.
Michael Bell’s filly – a winner at Nottingham on her debut - came home strongly to land the juvenile Listed contest at 4-1 under Danny Tudhope.
She is likely to line-up in the Queen Mary at the Royal meeting but also has the option of the Albany Stakes.
Bell said: “She’s gone really well at home since Nottingham. Prior to that she’d looked like a natural – she’s a rocket.
“I’ve not had a filly like her since Margot Did.”