ASCOT, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND – Haras d’Etreham and Cambridge Stud’s Hello Youmzain made a valiant late surge to overtake Dream Of Dreams and Sceptical to clinch Saturday’s Diamond Jubilee Stakes (G1) on Day 5 of the 2020 Royal Ascot Meet.
The Diamond Jubilee is a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” event, with Hello Youmzain receiving an automatic berth in the Turf Sprint at Keeneland this November.
Sent away as the 9/2 second choice stateside under Kevin Stott, Hello Youmzain led momentarily before allowing Khaadem to set the pace. While everyone else in the 10-horse field raced in a group along the inner rail, Sands Of Mali ran his own race alone near the far rail.
The 2/1 favorite Sceptical took the lead away with approximately 1 furlong remaining, but Hello Youmzain was lying second and gaining ground with every step. With a final strong burst along the inner rail, Hello Youmzain put his head down on the wire to secure victory.
The Kevin Ryan trainee completed the 6-furlong sprint over the good footing in a final time of 1:13.42.
“All credit to the horse,” Stott said. “I’m so thankful to be able to ride him. My dad, my mum, and my brothers will be watching. It’s a dream come true.”
Though he missed by a head at the wire, Dream Of Dreams made a late push to nail an all-out Sceptical by a neck for second. Khaadem weakened to fourth ahead of Speak In Colours, with One Master a 1/2-length behind him.
The Tin Man, Sands Of Mali, Breathtaking Look, and Shine So Bright completed the order of finish.
What a moment for jockey @StottKevin as he records his first Royal Ascot winner in one of the biggest races of the meeting 🙂
— Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) June 20, 2020
Hello Youmzain gets on top in a titanic finish to the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes #RoyalAscot pic.twitter.com/o9khT59AsV
Hello Youmzain’s win was his first at a Royal Ascot meet, having finished third in last year’s Commonwealth Cup (G1), and second overall at the Group 1 level. The 4-year-old Kodiac colt found initial success at the top level in last October’s Betfair Sprint Cup Stakes (G1) at Haydock.
“He jumped well and Kevin did the right thing, let him find his stride and where he was happy,” said the trainer’s son Adam. “When it came to the business end, he battled on hard. He is a very game, very tough horse, and especially to do that on his first run of the season was very impressive.”
Hello Youmzain returned $11.60 to win and $4 to place, Dream Of Dreams brought back $4.40 to place, and Sceptical paid $3 to place.
