Royal Diamond strikes at Ascot

Son of King's Best takes the G3 British Champions Long Distance Cup

Royal Diamond, a son of King's Best, landed the first race on British Champions Day when taking the G3 British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot. Given an excellent ride by Johnny Murtagh, who also trains him, he get up near the line to record a nose victory. The winner of the G1 Irish St Leger last season, this was his ninth career victory and fourth at Stakes level.

Bred by Moyglare Stud Farm, Royal Diamond is out of the G2-winning Danehill mare Irresistable Jewel – also dam of Street Cry’s 2012 Ribblesdale Stakes winner and Darley Irish Oaks third Princess Highway, plus fellow G1 performer Mad About You.

King’s Best, who stood at Darley in Japan for the first time this year, is also sire of Japan Derby and Tenno Sho winner Eishin Flash, Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Workforce, plus Sajjhaa – winner of two G1 races in Dubai this year.