Three-year-old colt Bow Echo, trained by George Boughey and ridden by 20-year-old Billy Loughnane, won the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 16 to remain unbeaten [1, 2]. Bow Echo narrowly defeated rival Gstaad by a short head in a photo finish after a demanding race [1, 2].
The race proved more physically challenging than their previous meeting, with Bow Echo recovering from a rough start and forced to race on the outside [1, 2]. Loughnane said, "The first furlong was crucial and I got squeezed out early... it was then a case of trying to manage things. The Amo horse [Power Blue] came back into our lap and it meant I had to move probably sooner than ideal, but his guts got him through" [2].
Bow Echo had previously beaten Gstaad comfortably by nearly three lengths in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket last month [1, 2]. Trainer Boughey called the Royal Ascot win "fine margins in this game and luckily he was on the right side of it today." He added, "I think that was the first time Bow Echo got into a proper battle... I think we’ll see a better horse now that he’s been in a scrap like that" [1, 2].
Loughnane praised his mount, saying, "This horse is such a superstar. It's a great day and a Group One winner at Royal Ascot, it really doesn't get much better. We just showed how much of a true warrior this horse is" [1].
Gstaad's jockey Ryan Moore received a three-day suspension for careless riding due to interference early in the race [2]. Moore commented on another contender at the meeting, saying, "Aidan can do anything. His record is incredible and everything he runs here this week will have a chance" [1].
Bow Echo is expected to run next at Goodwood in the Group One Sussex Stakes in late July [2].
