Amazing ascot

There are no words to explain what it is like to be at Ascot. Someone mentioned to me, “If you were to get someone new into horse racing, this is where to bring them.”

Akin to attending The Masters, the Super Bowl, or Wimbledon, the atmosphere at Ascot is nothing short of iconic. While most known for Royal Ascot in June, the third oldest racecourse in the world has plenty of other flat races from April to October.

Saturday, October 21st was QIPCO British Champions Day, the “finale of the British Flat racing season.” Our race, the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, is touted as the “Richest Mile Race in Europe.” Horses run in a straight line for 1,600 meters for a share of £1.1 million.

The day was also special as renowned jockey Frankie Dettori had his final ride in the UK, capped off by a victory in the Champion Stakes. The Italian jockey made history several times at Ascot, winning his first Group 1 race at the age of 19, completing the “Magnificent Seven” in 1996 by riding all seven winners of the day, and riding a total of 81 Royal Ascot winners. A trophy was unveiled in his honor by none other than Queen Camilla herself.

(Photo: Lucy North/PA)

It was my first trip to Ascot, and what a way to enter the hallowed grounds. Our last race in the UK was not so fortunate… but this was our redemption arc.

I was fortunate to have two champion jockeys with me on the Saturday morning plane from Paris - Aurelien Lemaitre, the one sporting our colors; and Mikael Barzalona, who was mounting Facteur Cheval, another French horse in our race.

We did not hire our typical French video crew, so I was the videographer for the day. After having lunch in the trainers and owners lounge, I set off to capture footage of the grounds. It was easy to get lost with the many escalators, viewing enclosures, and eating and drinking areas – and I also got lost in the shop! Then, with our racing manager Jose Luis, I watched Frankie Dettori win the first race of the day, including the famous dismount as Frankie jumped off the horse.

It was then time to find the most important guy of the day - Big Rock. I caught him with his groom Ebbe (an apprentice of our trainer Christopher Head) and the traveling head lad Valentin. Big Rock looked sharp and ready to race. Christopher arrived to put the number and saddle on him as Yeguada Centurion owners Leopoldo and Marilina, along with our friend Neil from Coolmore Stud, came along to watch Big Rock take his final walk before entering the Paddock.

While I was videoing Big Rock in the Paddock, I noticed a special someone to my right - Queen Camilla. She was out in the open taking in the scenes with all of us, just adding to the special moment.

After Aurelien mounted Big Rock, I went up to the Coolmore loge with Leopoldo, Marilina and team to watch the race.

Many would say that it was not the most beautiful day - the glowing atmosphere was darkened by nonstop rain. The clouds parted for a brief moment before our race, but the downpour resumed shortly after. While the rain wasn’t perfect for humans, it was the preferred weather for Big Rock, creating a soft ground to his liking. All week, I was joking that if I had to sacrifice myself in the rain for Big Rock, I would - and the sacrifice was worth it.

The photo below speaks volumes on just how impressive Big Rock’s run was… it was like he was running his own race! He was never in second place, claiming the lead right out of the gate. It’s one thing to talk about a strategy, but it’s another thing to see it come to fruition in glowing form.

We were the third favorites going into the race, preceded by Nashwa (daughter of Frankel) in second and Paddington (son of Siyouni) in first. Facteur Cheval, who we encountered at the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp, finished runner up by 6 lengths. British favorite Paddington finished 9th.

News outlets called it “Devastating” (At The Races), “Absolutely brilliant” (Sky Sports Racing), “Incroyable” (Equidia), “Masterclass” (Thoroughbred Daily News), and wrote of Big Rock as a “devastating winner” (Racing Post Bloodstock). Our jockey Aurelien called it “The best day of [his] life.”

Tears were shed all around - by myself, trying not to shake the camera while capturing the winning moment; by our owners and team, who could not contain their elation; and most notably by Aurelien and Ebbe, the latter being awarded the World Pool Moment of the Day for his emotional reaction. I have witnessed the special bond that Ebbe and Big Rock have formed in training - worthy of all the tears.

If I thought the atmosphere after winning the Prix de Diane with Blue Rose Cen was incredible, that paled in comparison to winning at Ascot. After all, what could compare to being awarded trophies by the Queen?

After three consecutive runner-up finishes in Group 1 races, Big Rock finally has his big win. I am so proud of our teams at Yeguada Centurion and Head Racing for all the work that led to this moment.

There is still more work to be done, because as we know by now, “There’s always another race.” But with Big Rock, this legendary race will be talked about for years to come.

While some exciting projects remain for this year (breaking in yearlings!), this was the cherry on top of an incredible season - my first in the horse racing world. Big Rock earned Yeguada Centurion its fourth Group 1 victory of the year, following Blue Rose Cen’s three wins at the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches, Prix de Diane, and Prix de l’Opera.

Now it’s full steam ahead for 2024: the year of the Rock and the Rose (Big Rock and Blue Rose Cen).