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Illinois digs deep to repel French Master in thrilling finale
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Sat 20 Jun 2026
Ryan Moore finished Royal Ascot one short of a career century at the meeting after Illinois showed his class and determination in the concluding Queen Alexandra Stakes.
Illinois’ trainer Aidan O’Brien had brought up his own 100 when teaming up with Moore in the Gold Cup on Thursday.
Ballydoyle’s number one started the week on 92 winners, but finished it on 99 ending what had threatened to be a frustrating final day on a high.
However, it was no walk in the park aboard the 7-4 favourite and despite kicking clear off the home bend, was made to pull out all the stops by the fast-finishing runner-up French Master, with the margin of victory just a neck. Willie Mullins’ Mr Hollywood finished third.
Moore said: “He’s a high-class horse and was second in a Gold Cup and second in a Goodwood Cup.
“It was bad ground at Epsom, that’s all that was (when beaten last time). He obviously didn’t take anything out of himself and he had a class edge on these.
“He got a bit lonely in front and then when I asked him, he found. He’s one of the last Galileos, a tough horse.”
Illinois success was the seventh win of the week for O’Brien who reflected on yet another magnificent Royal meeting.
O’Brien said: “What can I say? It’s been an incredible week and Ryan gave this horse an incredible ride.
“What a brave horse and we felt that we just maybe used him too much the last day, but he was second in the Gold Cup last year – he was the class horse, wasn’t he?
“It’s lovely for him to win again – he’s been working hard all year. He’s a lovely, kind horse.
“At Epsom it was soft ground and he went forward and it was tough. He loves the fast ground.
“There was nothing of the class he faced in the Gold Cup last year in this. He got a little bit lonely in front today, but he’s got plenty of class over this distance.”
O’Brien added: “I’d say he’d go wherever Scandinavia doesn’t go in these distance races and I think anything from a mile and six upwards he’s happy with, and he’s a lovely sound, genuine horse. I think we can win again with him.”
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