Declaration of War wins Royal Ascot opener
American superstar Animal Kingdom proved a bitter disappointment as Declaration Of War claimed victory in the Queen Anne Stakes, the opening race of Royal Ascot 2013.
Kentucky Derby and Dubai World Cup hero Animal Kingdom was a hot favourite for this one-mile Group One contest, but with the early pace far from frenetic, Graham Motion’s challenger was pulling fiercely for his head under John Velazquez, who had a distinct lack of cover.
When the five-year-old did come under pressure from the halfway stage, there was little response and he weakened quickly to finish in arrears.
Declaration Of War, always held in high regard by trainer Aidan O’Brien, was a 15-2 chance to bounce back from a disappointing run when favourite for the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury last month.
Always travelling strongly in the hands of the trainer’s son Joseph, the four-year-old was briefly stuck behind a wall of horses and it appeared the gap would never come.
However, once in the clear, Declaration Of War showed brilliant acceleration and was well on top in the end.
The War Front colt passed the post three-quarters of a length clear of Aljamaaheer, with Gregorian third.
The winning rider said: ``I'm not really quite sure what happened in the Lockinge. Dad thought he wasn't quite as fit as he'd hoped to have him. He said he had him 100% today and he was bang on.
“I was going very well and I just went into the gap. It got a little bit tight, but he was going exceptionally well and quickened up well, but he idled when he got there.
“He’s a very good horse. We thought that at Newbury and we were a little bit disappointed but we sorted a few things – all the lads in the yard have done a great job.
“It’s nice to start off on the front foot.”
