Irish trainer Eddie Lynam landed a prestigious group I sprint double at Royal Ascot when Slade Power scored by a clear margin the Diamond Jubilee June 21, the closing day feature.
The victory did not go unchallenged, however, as the Slade Power's connections waited out a brief steward inquiry on claims he impeded runner-up Due Diligence. The result stood after a review.
Lynam-trained Sole Power took the first half of the double in the King's Stand Stakes (Eng-I) June 17, opening day. Slade Power sealed Saturday's race after driving down the center of the course in the Diamond Jubilee, winning by 1 1/4 lengths from Due Diligence and third-place finisher Aljamaaheer.
Both Sole Power and Slade Power are owned by David and Sabena Power.
In seeking a third straight win and first group victory, Coolmore and partners' Due Diligence, a son of War Front formerly trained the United States by Chad Brown, outfinished Aljamaaheer by a head for second in the 14-horse field.
With the field splitting into groups after the start, Astaire and Gordon Lord Byron fought out the early running on the far side with Slade Power in hot pursuit in the group of nine. Three-year-old Due Diligence, taking on older runners for the first time, led a five-horse group on the stands' side, but was midfield overall behind a torrid pace. Ryan Moore nudged him right toward the center of the track with three-eighths to run.
After dashing past the leaders over a furlong out in the winning move, Slade Power edged a bit left nearing the finish. Moore had to sharply take up on Due Diligence, but the placings were left unchanged. Lordan drew a one-day ban for careless riding.
Slade Power was timed in 1:12.40 for six furlong on firm turf.
Slade Power's victory was his first in group I race. He won 2013 QIPCO British Champions Sprint (Eng-II) last October at Ascot, then was a well-beaten 10th behind Lord Kanaloa and Sole Power in the Longines Hong Kong Sprint (HK-I) in December at Sha Tin to close the year.
The 5-year-old son of Dutch Art came in off an impressive two-length triumph in the Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands Stakes (Ire-III) May 24 at the Curragh in his 2014 debut. His record improve to 9-3-2 from 17 career starts that include a runner-up finish in last year's Betfred Sprint Cup (Eng-I) and a third in the Darley July Cup (Eng-I).
"He traveled real well; I got there a little bit soon and he rolled around with me, but I had plenty left and I'm delighted," winning rider Wayne Lordan told England's Press Association after the Diamond Jubilee.
Sabena Power bred Slade Power from the winning Key of Luck mare Girl Power. From the first crop of English and French group I winner Dutch Art, he is his sire's first international group I winner. A 10-year-old son of Medicean, Dutch Art, also was represented this year by England and Irish classic-placed filly Lightning Thunder. He stands at Cheveley Park Stud in Newmarket.
Slade Power, Due Diligence and Aljamaaheer could meet again in the July Cup at Newmarket.
Lynam won three stakes from four runners at Royal Ascot. He also captured the Queen Mary Stakes (Eng-II) with Noel O'Callaghan's Anthem Alexander.
"It's been a great week, and there's nowhere I love having winners more than here," he said.
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