Jamie Spencer’s reputation on Ascot’s Straight Course gained further credence as he guided racehorse, Ain’t Nobody to victory at Royal Ascot in the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes on Wednesday, June 19, 2024.
In familiar style, Spencer drove the Kevin Ryan-trained winner (5/1) to the head of affairs inside the final 100 yards, denying US raider Gabaldon by a length at the famous Royal Ascot line.
Racehorse, Aviation Time, the only filly in the race, finished half a length further back in third, while the 4/1 favourite Shadow Army could only finish 13th.
Ain’t Nobody, a son of Sands Of Mali, was bought for £30,000 as a yearling at Doncaster and made a winning introduction at Carlisle in May.
Ryan said:
I am very happy to have this winner – Ascot is Ascot. The horses we bring down here, we expect to be competitive, and this was a very competitive race. When I looked at the Norfolk, I thought maybe we’re in the wrong race. But he’s a very good horse and will do nothing but improve.
“Jamie gave him a super ride. Jamie is brilliant here, and we’ve had a great association for a number of years. It is hard on Tom [Eaves], he went to Hamilton, but Tom will have his day hopefully at the end of the week.
With nice two-year-olds, we are never in too much of a rush with them. If we have one or two to go to Ascot, we go, and if we haven’t, we stay at home. There is a lot of the season left after Ascot and a lot of big festival meetings to go.”
Discussing G1 Commonwealth Cup favourite Inisherin, Ryan said:
His preparation has gone great. We have another 48 hours left and we just hope that nothing goes wrong in between. He’s in great form and I’m really looking forward to running him.”
Spencer said:
It panned out perfectly. Normally, I take my time but it’s a speed favouring track today. After going 100 yards, I was following the American horse, getting a good lead, and he was always going to bring me as far as I wanted. I got a little bit lost coming to the final furlong, when Ain’t Nobody eased out a little, but once he straightened up, off he went.
It is a well-trodden quote that this is our Olympics. We’ve got our Classics but this is the most important Flat meeting of the year, so to get on the board is important as you only get so many chances.
I am especially pleased for Kevin. He is a great guy. I have been riding for him for a long time and Kevin – and his team – deserve all the success they get.”
More horse racing news here.
Final standings – 6.10pm Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed)
1 Ain’t Nobody (J Blackburn & J Matthews) Kevin Ryan 2-9-05 Jamie Spencer 5/1
2 Gabaldon (Soldi Stable LLC) Jose D’Angelo 2-9-05 Emisael Jaramillo 16/1
3 Aviation Time (Bronte Collection 1) Richard Hughes 2-9-00 Danny Tudhope 28/1
Feature image: Ain’t Nobody after winning the Windsor Castle Stakes (credit: Megan Coggin)
Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.