Adayar became the first Derby winner to follow up in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes since the great Galileo 20 years ago with a superb performance under William Buick.

Sent off the 9-4 second favourite, Adayar was close to the pace throughout and made his move coming round the bend before pulling clear of runner-up Mishriff and the favourite Love, who could only manage third.

The victory continued the spectacular season of Charlie Appleby, as he triumphed in Ascot’s summer showpiece for the first time, although the Godolphin trainer was not present at the track after being pinged by the NHS app.

 

The winning rider told ITV after the race: “I’m speechless to be honest. He gives you the feel of endless power and it’s a privilege to ride a horse like this because they don’t come around very often.”

A field of five went to post following David Menuisier’s decision to withdraw Wonderful Tonight after forecast rain did not materialise, but despite the small field, a thriving crowd at Ascot was treated to a classic on the first weekend’s racing since the removal of crowd restrictions.

It was Love’s Aidan O’Brien-trained stablemate Broome who moved forward to set the pace despite being slow away from the stalls, with Buick positioning Adayar in an ideal position contetsing second with Lone Eagle.

As Love failed to pick up in the style we have become accustomed to seeing under Ryan Moore in the straight, it was Saudi Cup winner Mishriff, ridden by David Egan, who emerged as the chief challenger. Ultimately he succumbed to a length and three-quarter defeat to Appleby’s brilliant colt.

 

Buick added: “Charlie wasn’t worried [about the ground] and good horses can adapt and that’s exactly what this horse did. It was a very simple race to ride once he dropped his head and when I picked him up he was instant and relentless until the line.”

The victory was Buick’s second in the race after Nathaniel’s victory in 2011, and secured a treble on the day for the jockey after earlier wins for New Science and Danyah.

Of his runner-up Mishriff, joint-trainer John Gosden said: “I’ve always said after winning this race with Nathaniel, Taghrooda and Enable as three-year-olds that they’re helped by getting a lot of weight from the older horses. The winner looks incredibly good but we’ve run an absolute blinder. We’ll head on now to the Juddmonte International.”

Betfair responded by installing Adayar as 2-1 (from 7-2) favourite for the St Leger in September and 5-1 (from 10) for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe the following month.

Love was eased to 8-1 for the Longchamp spectacular with runaway Oaks and Irish Oaks winner Snowfall tightening to a 3-1 favourite.

Click here to view the race replay   (font : RacingPost)