Graham Clark talks Royal Ascot 2024 with Upper Lambourn trainer Archie Watson who is sending a big team to Berkshire next week.
When Archie Watson looks back at the results from Royal Ascot last year they produce many fond memories, but he believes the team that will represent his stable at this year’s meeting is the strongest he has ever sent to compete at Flat racing’s showpiece event.
Group One glory for Bradsell in what was the King’s Stand Stakes, now King Charles III Stakes, on the opening day, was followed by wins for Rhythm N Hooves in the Palace Of Holyrood House Stakes and Saint Lawrence in the Wokingham Stakes to make it a sensational five days for the 35 year old.
While only Saint Lawrence will be returning to the meeting out of that trio the Lambourn handler has put together a well balanced team that has the potential of making it another magical Royal Ascot for Watson and his team.
He said: “It was unreal to have three winners at the meeting.
“To have the Group One win with Bradsell, then to pick up two incredibly competitive handicaps with Rhythm N Hooves and Saint Lawrence was great.
“You go there hoping you have a few chances so to walk away with three winners was unreal.
“I think we will have around 17 runners this year, depending on what gets in the handicaps, as there are a couple at the bottom of some of the handicaps and it will be touch and go whether they get in.
“I know it sounds a strange thing to say considering we had three winners there last year but I do think this is the strongest team we have taken to Royal Ascot in terms of strength and depth.
“We’ve had a lot of success there and it is the best place in the world to have winners. I know we had three winners there last year, but you would be delighted walking away with one winner.”
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