Portage Completes Wonderful Royal Ascot Day For Godolphin
The Michael Halford-trained Portage, ridden by James Doyle, gave Godolphin a winning treble on the second day of Royal Ascot, when taking the Royal Hunt Cup in good style.
The Michael Halford-trained Portage, ridden by James Doyle, gave Godolphin a winning treble on the second day of Royal Ascot, when taking the Royal Hunt Cup in good style.
The four-year-old Teofilo colt chased the leaders on the far side and came through to lead with just over a furlong to go.
Portage ran on gamely to win by a length and a quarter from Librisa Breeze in 1m 43.01s on soft going.
John Ferguson, Chief Executive and Racing Manager for Godolphin, commented: "We are absolutely delighted.
"Portage had a five pound penalty as a result of winning a Listed race last time out but he has a bit of quality and he has really done it well.
"The fact that he won over a mile and a quarter and that he has come back in trip here on this ground really shows his ability.
"I am delighted for Mick (Halford, trainer), this is his first Royal Ascot winner.
Michael Halford said: "Portage has grown up a lot, and he's matured as he proved when winning at the Curragh last time out.
"We knew he would get the trip really well and that he would handle the soft ground, and James (Doyle) was very confident about the horse and rode him confidently.
"We planned coming back here from the moment he ran in the Cambridgeshire last year [he was fifth in that race].
"He's a horse that is ready to step up and will go on better ground and over a longer trip. It's very special to have a winner here today, especially for Sheikh Mohammed, who has been a wonderful supporter and shown great loyalty to us."
James Doyle, added: "Portage has threatened to do this for a while - you can see by the size of him in the paddock that he would be a better horse at this stage of his life.
"I was hoping I wouldn't have to do it all myself today as there wasn't a lot of pace in the race.
"Between the three and the two poles, I was able to able to get really going through the gears and when he hit top speed on that ground, he really went through it.
"This is his minimum trip and he stays a mile and a quarter but I wouldn't rule out him getting further.
"I am sure he can go on to better things."
