Consider him an effective miler…for now. Paco Boy (pictured below in Dubai) landed his first Group One win beyond seven furlongs when annexing the Queen Anne Stakes, the first race of the 2009 Royal Ascot meeting. Long criticized for his inability to handle extended distances in the top tier races, this Richard Hannon trainee silenced the critics defeating a field of eight opponents.
Richard Hughes was aboard again and rode a masterful race, sitting chilly while the rest of the field was in full flight. Hughes guided Paco Boy to a slight gap and he naturally accelerated. Inside the two furlong pole, Hughes remained still while his colleagues were hard at work. The son of Desert Style ran on when asked and improved his career mark to eight wins from twelve starts.
Gladiatorus, winner of the 2009 Dubai Duty Free and previously the world’s top-rated turf horse, picked up the running to race with his traditional prominence but faltered as Paco Boy, eighth in the Duty Free, rolled past for the 1.5 length victory over Cesare and Aqlaam. Gladiatorus finished sixth while Godolphin’s other entrant, Alexandros (third in the Dubai Duty Free), was eased back in eighth.