Solow opens Royal Ascot with Queen Anne victory

Solow (Singspiel) gave Freddy Head a second winner of the Queen Anne Stakes

(Eng-G1) -- Goldikova won for the French trainer in the same colors of the

Wertheimer brothers in 2010 -- when taking Tuesday's opening race of Royal Ascot 2015

by a length.

"He is a fantastic horse, a great warrior who can do anything -- you can

wait, you can lead," said Head, who is based in Chantilly, France. "I didn't think the

pace was that fast and he got caught for speed for a moment, but you are running

against the best; what do you expect?

"I hope he lasts and we have many more years with him. Maybe we will come

back for the Sussex Stakes (Eng-G1) at Goodwood. We'll see -- I'm not going to

run in everything that comes because I want him to last. I'm not a fan of the

Keeneland track -- I think it's a bit tight so we won't go to America (for the

Breeders' Cup) this year. Next year will be the same -- he hasn't got that many

races to run, so it's Dubai, Longchamp and Ascot.

"He's a lovely horse, great balance, great action, great mover, very easy to

train, great mind, which is very special because at two and three he was a very

nervous horse, wouldn't travel well and things, so he has changed with time and

with racing. I think we will still have some more good days with him. I love

Ascot and have got some great memories of being here"

Two 16-1 shots chased home the 11-8 favorite Solow in the one-mile Queen

Anne, with Esoterique (Danehill Dancer) finishing second by a neck over Cougar

Mountain (Fastnet Rock) in third.

Well-regarded Hong Kong star Able Friend (Shamardal) was never a factor in

sixth, a disappointing result given his stellar eight-for-nine record at the

distance.

Maxime Guyon rode Solow.

"It's amazing," Guyon said. "Before the race we didn't know if Able Friend

could win because, in Hong Kong, he is the best horse but today, the boss is

Solow. I think he is the best horse that I have ridden in my career. It's

amazing because this year is a new contract for me with my new bosses, the

Wertheimers. When you can win a Group 1 at Ascot, it's amazing.

"My horse was really relaxed in the race and showed a very good turn of foot.

We didn't know how he would react to Ascot because he hadn't raced here before

and it was also the first time in a straight line  -- he has proved he is

the best today."

Trainer John Moore had no explanation for Able Friend's performance.

"The jockey just reported that there wasn't much in the tank. Able Friend

wasn't himself and didn't show the usual kick," Moore said. "He seems to have

pulled up OK but it is disappointing to say the least. Thanks to all for

inviting us and for being part of the Royal Meeting. Today just wasn't his day.

We will fly him back to Hong Kong in mid-July and we will prepare him for the

races there and then will decide where he goes. I am sure I will have him back

in Hong Kong."

The Queen Anne jockeys reported the ground as being good to firm after the

race.

Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com