Crimson Advocate swooped late to land the Duke of Cambridge Stakes (G1) for James McDonald and Wathnan Racing.
The Nyquist filly, who won the Queen Mary Stakes (G2) for previous trainer George Weaver in 2023, showcased an impressive turn of foot to gain back-to-back wins in the race for John and Thady Gosden, who struck with Running Lion last year.
Hot favorite Cinderella's Dream had to settle for second and was beaten by a length and three-quarters. Sent off at 5-4, the Godolphin filly was forced to switch to the outside as they turned for home and looked to threaten approaching the two-furlong pole.
However, McDonald's mount proved too quick, surging past the rest of the field.
"James gave her a great ride and delighted to have rewarded him with a winner, the filly was impressive there and quickened nicely," Wathnan's racing manager Richard Brown said. "There's a lot of people here and lot of work goes into it. It's a very hard place to have winners, so we're very lucky.
"John and Thady have done a tremendous job. They've got a phenomenal team back there at Clarehaven. To come back two years later and win this is nothing short of extraordinary."
Wathnan's first-choice jockey, James Doyle, finished third on the Karl Burke-trained Fallen Angel, who traveled well before being outpaced in the final furlong.
"I'm absolutely delighted," McDonald said. "She gave me an absolutely beautiful ride. I'm very honored to be wearing the Wathnan silks.
"It's so special riding at Royal Ascot, I can't really put it into words. I just can't thank enough people for the opportunities to be here on the big stage. Even when you don't have a chance and you're riding here, it's such a huge thrill."
Bred in Kentucky by Whitehall Lane Farm, Crimson Advocate was purchased as a yearling for $100,000 by Dew Sweepers out of the 2022 Ocala Breeders' Sales October Yearling Sale. The Nyquist filly won the Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies Stakes on debut for Weaver and Dew Sweepers, and earned her initial Royal Ascot victory for Weaver and owners R.A. Hill Stables, Swinbank Stables, BlackRidge Stables, and Black Type Thoroughbreds.
Wathnan purchased Crimson Advocate following that victory and she was transferred to the Gosdens to race in Europe following a win in the 2024 Roar Stakes at Gulfstream Park. She finished 15th in the King Charles Stakes (G1) at that year's Royal Ascot meeting in her final start of the season. She returned this year with a second in the Snowdrop Fillies Stakes in March and a win in the Conqueror Stakes at Goodwood Racecourse May 3. Crimson Advocate holds a 5-1-1 record in nine starts, with all five wins in stakes, for earnings of $433,950.
The Uncle Mo son Nyquist, the United States' 2015 champion 2-year-old male and 2016 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner, stands at Darley near Lexington for a fee of $175,000 this year.
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