Godolphin on the double at Royal Ascot

Ribchester improved on his personal best to win the Group 3 Jersey Stakes and provide Team Godolphin with their first of two winners on Day Two at this year’s Royal Ascot meeting.

Ridden by William Buick and trained by Richard Fahey in North Yorkshire, the son of former Godolphin star Iffraaj, scored by 2¼ lengths from Thikriyaat, ridden by Paul Hanagan in the colours of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance.

Godolphin’s colours would once again grace the winner’s enclosure following French-trained Usherette’s victory in the Group 2 Duke of Cambridge Stakes, under Mickael Barzalona.

The talented Shamardal filly scored by 2 1/4 lengths from Furia Cruzada, the mount of Pat Smullen, while Godolphin’s second runner Always Smile, was a shorthead back in third under James Doyle.

After finishing third to Galileo Gold in the English 2,000 Guineas (Group 1) at Newmarket in May, Ribchester was prepared with an eye on the Jersey Stakes and he duly delivered the goods in style.