Auguste Rodin produced a determined performance under Ryan Moore to win the feature Prince Of Wales’s Stakes on the second day at Royal Ascot.
The Aidan O’Brien-trained 13/8 favourite, who was claiming his sixth Group One success, ran on gamely against the far rail in the 1m 2f contest to repel the challenge of French duo Zarakem (33/1) and Horizon Dore (7/1).
Following his earlier win on Illinois, the victory moved Moore on to the 81-winner mark at Royal Ascot – putting him level with Frankie Dettori in second place behind Lester Piggott (116) on the all-time list – while O’Brien was training the 400th Group/Grade One winner of his career.
Inspiral was slow out of the stalls and was unable to strike a blow after racing at the rear for much of the race.
Auguste Rodin, a son of Deep Impact, had previously claimed big-race successes in the Derby, Irish Derby, Irish Champion Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Turf last season.
Auguste Rodin raced in mid-division before holding off French duo Zarakem and Horizon Dore
However, he has also not been the easiest to predict, disappointing as a hot favourite in both the 2000 Guineas and the King George as a three-year-old and on his four-year-old debut in the Dubai Sheema Classic, while he was no match for White Birch on his most recent outing in the Tattersalls Gold Cup.
Moore said: “He’s a great little horse. OK, a few times it hasn’t happened, but there have been reasons every time. The King George was maybe coming after a hard run in both Derbys, which is a hard thing to do.
“He took me there, going very well, and when I asked him he really showed great courage. He wanted to win. He’s a proper horse.”
