Jim Crowley

Among some memorable performances at Royal Ascot last week, two that stood out at opposite ends of the distance spectrum were provided by Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). The sprinter and the stayer may be poles apart in some respects, but what they share is the fact that, at the age of six, they have been around long enough to be taken to the hearts of the racing public. Six also unites their respective jockeys, Jim Crowley and Frankie Dettori, as that was...

Back in April, when major sporting events across the world were being cancelled left, right and centre, the management team at the Queen's racecourse took the decision that, if racing had resumed in time, Royal Ascot would go ahead behind closed doors. The announcement was met with incredulity in some quarters, particularly by those keen to blame the spread of coronavirus on the Cheltenham Festival, but thank goodness Ascot stuck to its resolve to go ahead, even in extraordinary circumstances. Of course the meeting lost some of its lustre, just...

Continuing a spellbinding week at Royal Ascot for Shadwell, last year's high-class prospect Molatham (GB) (Night of Thunder {Ire}) came good when it mattered as he emerged on top in a rain-hit G3 Jersey S. on Wednesday. Always travelling strongly halfway down the field despite having no cover, the Listed Flying Scotsman S. winner cruised to the front passing two out and after a battle royal with Monarch of Egypt (American Pharoah) asserted for a half-length success, with daylight back to Symbolize (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) in third. Jockey Jim Crowley,...

Capping an amazing opening day for Shadwell and Jim Crowley, Nazeef (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) completed a notable treble with a hard-fought victory in the G2 Duke of Cambridge S. Also providing John Gosden with a double on the day, the impressive June 3 Listed Snowdrop Fillies' S. winner confirmed her continuing upward mobility arriving from mid-division to wear down Agincourt (Ire) (Declaration of War) in the final 100 yards and score by a head, with 2 1/2 lengths back to Queen Power (Ire) (Shamardal) in third. While this year's...

Twice cruelly denied by his nemesis Blue Point (Ire) (Shamardal) in the last two runnings of the G1 King's Stand S., Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) was on Tuesday the undisputed ruler of Royal Ascot's five-furlong strip of verdant racing ground to provide the opener's undisputed highlight. Out of the first four for only the second time in his career when last seen trailing in the G1 Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp, Shadwell's 6-year-old may have had a slight question mark over his head as he exited the stalls but...

Keeping it simple despite all the pressure before Friday's G2 King George Qatar S., Jim Crowley steered Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) to a record third renewal of Goodwood's speed test to bring more history to this prestigious meeting. Held on to initially as Ornate (GB) (Bahamian Bounty {GB}) provided a target to his left, Shadwell's dragster took control two out and found the line a half length ahead of the strong-closing Australian import Houtzen (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}). "Everybody expected him to win by a large margin, but...