Surefire Royal Ascot winner

Ralph Beckett-trained Surefire registered his third career win in the King George V stakes at the Royal meeting yesterday (17th June).

Taken from the Thoroughbred Daily News, 18th June 2021:

The three-year-old Fastnet Rock colt was coming back off a handicap victory (7th June) tackling 10 furlongs at Leicester and was under cover towards the rear after breaking from an outer gate here. Coming under pressure and forced wide off the home turn, the 5-1 second favourite drifted right when launching his challenge approaching the furlong marker and was driven out to hold on gamely by a neck from Sir Lamorak in a blanket finish.

"It's a long way since those days as an apprentice, but I'm absolutely delighted and a bit lost for words to be honest," reflected rider Hector Crouch after registering a breakthrough score. "We went hard down into Swinley Bottom and I got him going early as he doesn't have the greatest turn of foot, but he was very impressive today and responded to every urging. He is very classy and he wants to step up in trip again. He could be anything with the way he goes about his business. The sky is pretty much the limit."

Beckett added: "Surefire is still a bit green and leant in when he hit the front. It was only when I saw the replay that I realised it was too far out to hear the dreaded klaxon. He's a very laid back horse and is inclined only to do enough. He had a tough trip today and he's seen it out really well. We'll probably end up going further, and I hope in time he'll end up a [Gr.1 St] Leger horse. It's great for Juddmonte and it's my cousin [Teddy Grimthorpe]'s last week in the job so it's great for him. We have benefited hugely from Prince Khalid's support over the past five years and I couldn't be happier."