Heavily-Favored Love Wires Prince Of Wales’s

ASCOT, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND – Coolmore’s heavily-favored Love (3/5) staved off a strong late bid from Audarya to successfully wire Wednesday’s Prince Of Wales’s Stakes (G1) at Ascot Racecourse.

The Prince of Wales is a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” event, with Love receiving an automatic berth in the Turf at Del Mar this November.

After setting a measured tempo throughout much of the early going in the 1 1/4-mile event, Love and jockey Ryan Moore faced a strong challenge from 2020 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) champion Audarya, but the Aidan O’Brien trainee held gamely to win by 3/4 of a length. The 4-year-old daughter of Galileo was victorious in her first start since last August’s Yorkshire Oaks (G1) at York and improved her lifetime record to 11-7-1-1, which includes 5 successes against Group 1 company.

“It was her first run since last August and she beat a Breeders’ Cup winner,” Moore said. “I’m sure she’ll improve, but I’m delighted with her today. She’s a very honest filly with a lot of ability.”

Audarya was 3/4 of a length clear of the winner’s stablemate Armory, while behind him came My Oberon, Desert Encounter, and Sangarius. The defending race champion Lord North scratched.

Love returned $3.40 to win and $2.02 to place. Audarya brought back $3 to place. Armory paid $2.20 to place.