Royal Ascot: 80-1 Khaadem wins Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes as Frankie Dettori says farewell

In the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, Khaadem, trained by Charlie Hills, started well before powering through the field.

Highfield Princess was among the leaders throughout, but Spencer maintained patience and, within the final furlong, Khaadem strode past the leaders to claim victory.

The win was the second big-priced triumph of the week for Spencer, 43, who rode Witch Hunter to victory on Thursday at 50-1.

"It's difficult for me to put into words what Jim and Fitri [Hay, owners of Khaadem] have been like as friends to me for a long time," the jockey said.

"Even my children are watching now, and in years before, when I was flying at this meeting, they were too young to understand. Now it's nice when you get texts saying, 'Well done'."

Hills said he had "always believed in" the seven-year-old horse. "He does have his quirks but most sprinters do. It's just amazing that we've got to where we have now at his age," the trainer said.

"I just really wanted to run him over six [furlongs] here. Last year he won the Group Two over five [in the King George Qatar Stakes at Goodwood] and I was really keen to take the blinkers off him and train him like a proper horse.

"I thought Jamie was the perfect jockey. With this horse, anything can happen."

Elsewhere at Ascot, PJ McDonald won his first ever race at the event, riding Pyledriver (7-2) to glory in the Hardwicke Stakes.

West Wind Blows (13-2) and Changingoftheguard (7-1) came second and third respectively, but a stewards' review was required after Pyledriver appeared to duck and dive as he hit the front.

"He's a horse that, when he hits the front, he always runs around," said McDonald.

"It just goes to show you how much ability he has that he's not running in a straight line. I straightened him up a few times but he's the winner and no-one can take that away from him."

Gary Carroll rode Snellen (12-1) to a narrow victory over Aidan O'Brien-trained favourite Pearls and Rubies (7-4) in the Chesham Stakes.

Snellen, trained by Champion Hurdle winner Gavin Cromwell, held off Pearls and Rubies' late push to give him a second Royal Ascot triumph, as Golden Mind (10/1) and outsider Oddyssey (125/1) were tied in a dead heat for third place.

In the Jersey Stakes, Age of Kings (22-1) pulled off another surprise result to give O'Brien his fourth win in the race.

It was also O'Brien's fourth win of the week, placing him alongside John and Thady Gosden at the top of the standings.

Despite it being Age of Kings' first race in more than 300 days, Wayne Lordan rode fiercely to pip Zoology (22-1) and Holloway Boy (28-1) to first place. Favourite Covey, ridden by Dettori, finished sixth.

Jockey-and-trainer team of Hollie Doyle and Archie Watson earned their third success of the week in the Wokingham Stakes Handicap, as Saint Lawrence (22-1) sliced through a competitive pack.

The penultimate race of the day, the Golden Gates Stakes Handicap, was Dettori's final ever outing at Royal Ascot, but the Italian was denied a fairytale ending as Burdett Road (20-1) romped home ahead of co-favourites Lion of War and Local Dynasty (9-2).

Aidan O'Brien's week ended on a sad note as Canute suffered a fatal injury, with Moore's mount breaking a hind leg.

The Queen Alexandra Stakes brought the curtain down on Royal Ascot 2023, with Dawn Rising (2-1) the only favourite to win on the final day.

Top jockey of the week Ryan Moore rode Dawn Rising, trained by Joseph O'Brien, to claim his 78th Royal Ascot win.

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