Royal Ascot 2020: Tactical hands Queen victory in the Windsor Castle Stakes

Tactical claimed victory for the Queen at Royal Ascot in the Windsor Castle Stakes.

The Andrew Balding-trained colt went off as a 7-2 favourite and, led by James Doyle, hit the front comfortably before the final furlong to lift the Listed contest by a length and a quarter.

It proved to be double delight for Doyle, who emerged triumphant in the feature Prince of Wales's Stakes with Lord North.

Trailing Tactical was Yazaman (20-1) in second place just ahead of Muker (40-1).

The Queen's bloodstock adviser John Warren said: "I think everyone involved is absolutely thrilled - all of Her Majesty's team, and obviously Andrew and his team.

"Throughout the conversations the Queen was saying how delighted she is to produce a two-year-old winner at Royal Ascot."

Looking to future plans, Warren said: "It looks like he will stretch out in trip, so we'll look at races like the Richmond at Goodwood and the Prix Robert Papin in France."

He went on: "Andrew has been saying since the spring the colt was naturally precocious and was finding his work terribly easy. It looked as though he was a nice prospect, even if we didn't immediately clock him as an Ascot two-year-old.

"When he ran at Newmarket, he got himself into a little bit of trouble, but he had such a good introduction and came out of the race so well, it boded well for his prospects to come here.

"We debated long and hard whether to take him to the Coventry over six furlongs, which would have been his preferred trip, but he has plenty of pace and he did it well.

"It is obviously a great shame Her Majesty isn't there to enjoy the buzz of having a runner, but she has studied every bit of it today, watching the races. It's the icing on the cake to have a winner for her.

"I think the Queen, every day of her life, follows racing one way or another when she can. She will have read the Racing Post and known very well the important, fancied horses. She always dedicates half an hour or so to the information every day, so she's very well tuned in and racing is her tremendous pleasure.

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"The Queen doesn't get frustrated lightly - she's very pragmatic and takes everything in her stride. I suspect deep down there may have been a tinge of disappointment she wasn't there, but that was completely overridden by having a winner and breeding it.

"I suspect she got a warm inner feeling from pulling this one off."

Balding said: "He was showing a fair bit at home before we ran him first time out and he ran a nice race at Newmarket. We were quite hopeful today, particularly when the draw looked like it would be more of a help than a hindrance.

"He would have been ready to run in April, which is very early for one of mine. He's got a great attitude and is very professional.

"I think he will be more comfortable over six furlongs. We looked at the Coventry, but felt it was a stronger race and decided he had enough pace to stick at five."

He added: "It's obviously a great thrill for all of us to have a royal winner at the Royal meeting.

"On racedays we tend to give the Queen a ring in the morning and give her our thoughts. We did that this morning, so she was well informed!"

13:15 Silver Hunt Cup - Sir Busker 12-1

13:50 Hampton Court Stakes - Russian Emperor 10-3

14:25 King George V Stakes - Hukum 12-1

15:00: Prince of Wales's Stakes - Lord North 5-1

15:35: Royal Hunt Cup - Dark Vision 15-2

16:10: Windsor Castle Stakes - Tactical 7-2 F

16:40 Copper Horse Handicap - Fujaira Prince 3-1 F