Ryan Moore secured the title of top jockey with his win on Bergo in the Royal Ascot finals, the Queen Alexandra Stakes. Winning this race brought the Ryan Moore to a total of four wins, five second places and four third places; narrowly winning the champion title over Johnny Murtagh, who rode four winners and four runner-ups. What made the win all the more special was the fact that Bergo, the winning horse, is trained by Moore’s father, Gary. It was the first Royal Ascot win for the trainer and he was over the moon to have his son ride for him in this milestone race.
Seven-year-old Bergo was a dominant presence throughout the race, keeping up an impressive pace throughout the first two miles before attacking on the last three furlongs. With only two furlongs to go Bergo was leading the field of 17 and did not allow any of the runners to come close enough to pose a threat. He crossed the line with 1 ½ lengths to spare over runner-up Aajel.
Third place went to Swingkeel under Jimmy Fortune.
As the final event of this year’s spectacular, often record breaking Royal Ascot Festival, it was lovely to see the race turning into a family celebration for the Moores. Not only did the race present a first win and a champion jockey title, it also reminded spectators of the special place the equine sports inhabit in the United Kingdom.
The sport of kings, passed down from generation to generation as a trade and also as a passion, is just as much about the wild emotions connected to every race as it is about winning – and the Royal Ascot Festival has again celebrated the sport in this spirit exactly.