Animal Kingdom's Ascot Diary: An Insider's Perspective

In the fifth instalment of Animal Kingdom’s video Ascot Diaries, Arrowfield’s John Messara explains the appeal of a tilt at the Royal Ascot Queen Anne Stakes with a horse that has already made more than his fair share of history.

John says, “Call it a spirit of adventure, but if he was to win here then he’d have won a Group One on three different track surfaces and I think this would mark him out as something very, very special….He’s good enough to be here, and I think he should be here, and it’s as simple as that.”

Barry Irwin, representing breeder and part-owner Team Valor International, trainer Graham Motion, jockey John Velazquez and vet Louis Castro each add their unique perspectives on Animal Kingdom who bids next week to become the first Kentucky Derby winner to win an English Group One race since Reigh Count in 1929.

Watch these interviews in Part 5 of Animal Kingdom’s Ascot Diaries.

Latest news

Dundeel’s daughters do the business in 2025/26 Dundeel’s daughters do the business in 2025/26

Dundeel's daughters dominated his 2025/26 season, including his 10th G1 winner Idle Flyer, brilliant in a high-class renewal of the Queen Of The Turf S. G1...

READ MORE

The Autumn Sun shines all season long The Autumn Sun shines all season long

The Autumn Sun easily passed the first test of a young sire by leaving 3 G1 Classic winners in his first crop, but could he match or surpass that standard?

READ MORE

Snitzel wins his 6th 2YO Sires’ Premiership Snitzel wins his 6th 2YO Sires’ Premiership

Snitzel wins his 6th Australian 2YO Sires' Premiership with $4.9 million prizemoney & 5 stakeswinners including two stand-out Group 1-winning colts...

READ MORE