Hollie Doyle celebrates her second Royal Ascot victory after Amtiyaz wins the Copper Horse Handicap
Amtiyaz provided his jockey Hollie Doyle with a second Royal Ascot victory in the Copper Horse Stakes Handicap, the final race of day one.
The Copper Horse Handicap over a mile and six furlongs was one of six additional races to be run at Royal Ascot in 2020 and has been retained this year as part of the expanded program.
Doyle guided the 33/1 winner home for a head success over Dubious Affair, another 33/1 chance who met trouble in running. Global Storm (4/1) was best of the fancied runners a length further back in third.
Victory for Amtiyaz provided training partnership John and Thady Gosden with a first-day double after Palace Pier’s success in the opening G1 Queen Anne Stakes.
Doyle said: “He has really surprised me today, this horse. He been very progressive on the all-weather, it was just a question as to whether he could step up to the plate today and he’s done that.
“Every Royal Ascot winner is special, but you can’t get much better than John Gosden. It was an amazing performance from Amtiyaz. He was campaigned on the all-weather in the winter and he was getting done for tactical speed.
“A galloping track today brought out more improvement. Mr. Gosden fills you with confidence and allows you to ride your own pace. I think they went an even gallop and on the incline I didn’t want to gas Amtiyaz up so I left him alone.
“For a slow horse, he has a few gears and quickened up well. Amtiyaz is small but a little terrier and gives you his all, which is what you need.
“It’s amazing to have another winner here. I had that winner here last year and now it’s great to have another, I want more. I want one every year.
“It is huge for [owner] Imad Al Sagar as he bred this horse. It’s a fantastically run operation and for him to win at Royal Ascot is obviously very important.”
Imad Al Sagar said: “I am very happy. The horse could not have got a better ride than what Hollie has done. She timed it well.
“Amtiyaz is a very genuine horse. You breed a horse and you wait months and years, and it all boils down to two minutes!”
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