Blue Point Completes Historic Ascot Double in Diamond Jubilee

ASCOT, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND – Godolphin’s world-class sprinter Blue Point became the first horse since Choisir in 2003 to pull off the historic Group 1 sprinting double when he swept to the front and just held on at the wire to win Saturday’s Diamond Jubilee Stakes (G1) on Day 5 of the Royal Ascot meet.

The Diamond Jubilee is a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” event, with Blue Point receiving an automatic berth in the Turf Sprint at Santa Anita Park on Saturday, November 2.

Sent postward as the even-money stateside favorite under James Doyle, Blue Point was prominent early while Kachy sprung to a multiple-lengths lead. With 2 furlongs remaining, Doyle gave Blue Point the green light and the son of Shamardal responded sharply.

Sliding past Kachy while not yet asked for his best, Blue Point struck the front and began to kick away, but behind him Dream Of Dreams was beginning to close ground rapidly. Dream Of Dreams drew alongside in the shadow of the wire, but Blue Point had just enough left in the tank to keep his head forward for the win. The Charlie Appleby trainee completed the 6-furlong sprint in a final time of 1:11.42.

“Blue Point is a horse you only dream about having,” Doyle said. “He has really learnt what his job is about and he has got better and better with each race. He went down to the start today like an ultimate professional. He jumps, travels, and does everything he wants you to do. It got a little bit hairy late on. The other day (in the King’s Stand), I was able to do things by myself without any pressure, but obviously today, Kachy went a hell of a pace, and this fella is so genuine that all he wanted to do was chase him down.”

Kachy stayed on for third, though he was 2 1/2 lengths behind the top pair. The rest of the field crossed thusly: Speak In Colours, Le Brivido (fifth in the Queen Anne Stakes [G1] on Day 1), The Tin Man, Invincible Army, Lim’s Cruiser, City Light, Projection, Tip Two Win, Keystroke, Bound For Nowhere, Yafta, Enzo’s Lad, Sands Of Mali, and Emblazoned.

Blue Point’s win improved his overall record to 20-11-3-3, counting a 6-5-0-1 local record that includes winning last year’s King’s Stand Stakes (G1) and finishing third in 2017’s Commonwealth Cup (G1).

“Blue Point is going to retire this year – he’s a superstar,” Appleby said. “We were walking around looking at the Royal Ascot runners, and I said, ‘Sir, if you are happy, we will leave the horse in on the Saturday, let’s just dream we can win the King’s Stand and give ourselves a position to go and have crack at the Diamond Jubilee.’ None of us can do this without the horse – what sets him apart is what we saw today, he is a class animal.”

Blue Point returned $4.20 to win and $2.20 to place, Dream Of Dreams brought back $10.40 to place, and Kachy paid $28.60 to place.