Animal Kingdom has unwanted record to break if coming to Royal Ascot
Published:Royal Ascot is being speculated as a port of call later this season for Animal Kingdom, but based on the records of the most recent Dubai World Cup winners, another victory may be too much to expect.
Since the race moved to Meydan for the first time in 2010, the three Dubai World Cup winners – Gloria de Campeao, Victoire Pisa and Monterosso – have not triumphed in another race between them subsequently.
Animal Kingdom appears to be of a slightly higher class than those previously mentioned and so he is more likely to end this winless run.
The former Kentucky Derby winner has become the first US-trained horse to even place in a Dubai World Cup since its switch to the tapeta surface in 2010 and just running at Ascot would virtually become a breaking of new ground.
Typically, the exceedingly high prize money of the Dubai World Cup makes it one of the only international races to attract US runners, but an appearance from Animal Kingdom could set the precedent for others to follow.
With no Frankel this year, Royal Ascot could be lacking a true superstar and another positive reason as to why Animal Kingdom may appear is because trainer Graham Motion is originally from Cambridge.
The Prince of Wales Stakes over 1m2f looks the probable Royal Ascot engagement, which is the same distance as the Kentucky Derby.
The other leading overseas challenger on track for Royal Ascot is Black Caviar, who appears to have a choice between the King’s Stand Stakes and the Golden Jubilee Stakes, which she just held on to win last year.
Alternatively, the King’s Stand Stakes is run over the reduced trip of 5f and this race may draw another Dubai Carnival winner to Royal Ascot, with Shea Shea taking the Al Quoz Sprint.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
