Mohamed bin Hamad bin Khalifa al-Attiyah’s Baghdad won the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot yesterday, adding to his victory in the King George V Stakes at the same meeting last year.
The four-year-old bay colt battled bravely to win the 2400m class 2 race in a thrilling finish.
Ridden by Ryan Moore, the Mark Johnston-saddled Baghdad pulled out all the stops to hold off Frankie Dettori-ridden Ben Vrackie, owned by Princess Haya of Jordan and trained by John Gosden, by a short head. Sheikh Mohamed Obaid al-Maktoum’s Fujaira Prince, ridden by Andrea Atzeni for trainer Roger Varian, completed the frame finishing one and a half lengths further behind.
Baghdad was injured after the Ascot meeting last year and had a nine-month break. However, he has returned even stronger this year. The win was Baghdad’s fifth from 10 starts.
Duke of Edinburgh Stakes winners pose during the prize distribution ceremony after Baghdad won at Royal Ascot. PICTURES: Zuzanna Lupa
