ASCOT, United Kingdom (AFP) — Lazzat gave France their first winner of the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, denying Japan their maiden win at Royal Ascot as the gallant Satono Reve finished second on Saturday, the final day of the meeting.

Lazzat’s victory rounded off a superb week for owner, the emir of Qatar’s Wathnan Racing — a final day double, and both ridden by James Doyle, taking their tally to five.

Lazzat was France’s last hope of salvaging something from the week, indeed their other two runners in the race fared badly with
Sajir being withdrawn and the other, Topgear, losing two of his horse shoes.

The winner was still in feisty form post-winning as he shied away from someone coming to him with a blanket like a matador, and dumped Doyle on the turf.

Doyle, described as “world class and a brilliant guy” by Wathan’s Racing Manager Richard Brown, dusted himself down as his 26th Royal Ascot winner disappeared into the distance.

“I cannot take any credit at all,” he said modestly. “Jerome [Reynier the trainer] was very confident. I could tell Satono Reve was coming alright but you won’t get a more genuine horse than this.”

Satono Reve lost little in defeat under Joao Moreira, known as the Magic Man, and did better than the previous 10 Japanese runners at the meeting — all of whom had finished outside the first three. “We came in with a lot of confidence but, unfortunately, bumped into a very good horse. “I thought I had him but he had another gear.