TUESDAY 5.35pm
Wolferton Stakes
10f
HAATEM
16th
MAP OF STARS
1st
KING’S GAMBIT
7th
What the jockeys said
Race report
Could Haatem and James Doyle retain their title in this race and bring up a rare Royal Ascot hattrick? Or would class horse Map Of Stars, trained in France, rediscover top form on his favoured (but seldom encountered) fast ground? Throw in King’s Gambit, a running-on third here last year, and Wathnan's Wolferton hopes were high in the parade ring.
The race unfolded perfectly for Map Of Stars – and disappointingly for Haatem. Meanwhile, King’s Gambit did as well as he could. Anchored at the back, off a steady pace, the race had the rhythm of the kind of French race that have so often suited Map Of Stars. Unleashed in the straight – while Haatem encountered insurmountable traffic as congested as Ascot High Street before racing down – Map Of Stars proved much the best, the only horse to mount a challenge to the pacesetters, winning with his head in his chest. A wonderful horse, a wonderful ride, a wonderful win.
FULL RACE REPLAY
Preview
The best Listed race in the world: that’s the Wolferton’s reputation, and who’d argue, with a roll of honour in its compact history (eight previous runnings in its current form) which includes two subsequent G1 winners. Wathnan favourite Haatem bids for a rare Royal Ascot hat-trick, having won the Jersey Stakes in 2024 and this event last year. Truly our king of hearts.
Among those standing in his way are two more Wathnan warriors. Map Of Stars, trained in France, has G1 form of his own but has become a little inconsistent as a five-year-old. At his best, he’d be very hard to beat. Meanwhile, King’s Gambit closed rapidly to be third behind Haatem last year, and has since finished runner-up to Damysus in a G3. He goes particularly well on a fast surface.
Haatem, what a horse! The king of all our hearts, especially trainer Richard Hannon’s. It’s the start of a big week for Haatem: Royal Ascot – his time to shine. He won there with his main man James Doyle in 2024. And again last year. A ‘three-peat’? Can he? Could he? Haatem and James are in action on Tuesday afternoon. Unmissable!
“Haatem has a good constitution. He’d eat as much as you can get in there.”
Trainer Richard Hannon
Bringing a touch of je ne sais quoi to Royal Ascot (in the same race as our beloved Haatem) is this gorgeous boy, Map Of Stars. At his best, he’d show them all the way home…
