Yeats completes historic treble

Racing : Yeats secured his place in the history books as he became only the second horse to complete a hat-trick of wins in …

Racing: Yeats secured his place in the history books as he became only the second horse to complete a hat-trick of wins in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.

Sagaro won three successive renewals between 1975 and 1977 and the Aidan O'Brien-trained Yeats equalled that record with victory in the hands of Johnny Murtagh.

Sent off the 11-8 favourite, Yeats beat Geordieland with Coastal Path back in third. Murtagh initially sat a little off the early pace, which was set by Le Miracle, before sending Yeats to the front with around half a mile to run.

Stephane Pasquier, alive to the threat, soon sent Coastal Path in pursuit and that pair briefly looked to be going the better as they swung for home.

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The race many had wanted to see was developing beautifully at this point, as Jamie Osborne's Geordieland also swung in travelling strongly in third.

He actually took over soon after the principals turned in and appeared to find for pressure until Yeats dug deep to regain the initiative.

Having got back in front there was no stopping O'Brien's star stayer and he powered on to defeat a leg-weary Geordieland by five lengths, with Coastal Path a further four and a half lengths away.

Earlier, the opening race of the day, the Norfolk Stakes juvenile sprint, went to 11-4 favourite South Central, ridden by Robert Winston for North of England trainer Howard Johnson.

It was a first big race winner for Winston since his return to action earlier this year following a 12 month-ban for passing information for reward.

John Gosden and Jimmy Fortune then combined to win the Ribblesdale Stakes with Michita.

Sent off as the 100-30 favourite, the Dynaformer filly was settled just off the pace throughout the early stages before creeping her way into contention soon after entering the straight.

She grabbed the lead with over a furlong to run and bounded away to inflict a three-and-a-half-length defeat on Arthur's Girl (7-1).

Oaks-winning trainer Ralph Beckett saddled 11-1 chance Hobby, who made a brave attempt to make all before weakening into third.

Fifteen Love came with a sweeping late run in the final furlong to land the Britannia Stakes for trainer Roger Charlton and jockey Steve Drowne.

The 28 runners split into two groups in the mile heat and the far side looked to be holding sway throughout as Billion Dollar Kid set a handy pace.

As he felt the burn, Masaalek came through to take it up and looked to have the race in the bag.

However, Fifteen Love (28-1) flew on the stands side to deny Masaalek by half a length, with Yaddree the same distance away in third.

Colony gave Ryan Moore his first ever winner at the Royal meeting in the concluding King George V Stakes. Michael Stoute's 11-2 favourite was settled off the pace through the early stages but Moore kicked him into gear in the straight.

Although he did not get in front until inside the distance, Colony always looked like getting on top and he eventually forged a length and three-quarters clear of 16-1 chance Savarain.

Moonquake was a further three-quarters of a length away in third, while Dream Desert took fourth.

Royal Ascot 2.30
1 South Central (R Winston) 11-4 Fav
2 Spin Cycle (T E Durcan) 7-1
3 Prolific (R Hughes) 6-1
11 ran

Royal Ascot 3.05
1 Michita (J Fortune) 10-3 Fav
2 Arthur's Girl (S Drowne) 7-1
3 Hobby (S Sanders) 11-1
9 ran

Royal Ascot 3.45
1 Yeats (J Murtagh) 11-8 Fav
2 Geordieland (S W Kelly) 15-2
3 Coastal Path (S Pasquier) 2-1
10 ran

Royal Ascot 4.20
1 Fifteen Love (S Drowne) 28-1
2 Masaalek (R Hills) 20-1
3 Yaddree (P Robinson) 12-1
4 Dubai Dynamo (J F Egan) 33-1
28 ran

Royal Ascot 4.55
1 Collection (K McEvoy) 13-2
2 Staying On (A Kirby) 9-1
3 King of Rome (J Murtagh) 8-1
15 ran

Royal Ascot 5.30
1 Colony (R L Moore) 11-2 Fav
2 Savarain (L Dettori) 16-1
3 Moonquake (J Fortune) 12-1
4 Dream Desert (E Creighton) 9-1
16 ran