Qemah crowned queen of the Coronation Stakes at Ascot

Qemah struck a blow for France when running out an impressive winner of the Coronation Stakes.

Running in the Al Shaqab colours, those trained in France are ridden by Gregory Benoist and it was a first Royal Ascot winner for him.

Last seen finishing third in the French 1,000 Guineas at Deauville, she clearly preferred the faster pace and softer ground on this occasion.

Jet Setting, winner of the Irish Guineas, tried to make all once more, but a furlong and a half out she was running on empty.

Jean-Claude Rouget’s Qemah (6-1) showed a smart turn of foot and soon shot clear and try as Nemoralia might, she could not catch the impressive winner, who scored by a length and a half.

Alice Springs and Ryan Moore, not for the first time this week, met plenty of trouble and flashed home for third.

Rouget was enjoying back-to-back wins in the race after the success of Ervedya 12 months ago.

Benoist said: “It’s my first winner and first Group One in Royal Ascot. It’s amazing for me, it’s like a dream.

“Before the race we wanted to take a good position. The pace was a little bit fast for me, so I took my time.

“Last time, before the French Guineas, she was a little bit too excited before the start. Today she was relaxed, like me, and we won.”

The victory was a second Group One success of the week for Sheikh Joaan’s Al Shaqab Racing operation following Galileo Gold’s triumph in Tuesday’s St James’s Palace Stakes.

The owner’s racing manager Harry Herbert said: “This is unbelievable – a second Group One winner – and this is a really brilliant filly.

“She was a little unlucky in the French Guineas when she ran too free, but today she’s settled better and I’m delighted for Sheikh Joaan and Gregory Benoist, having his first winner at Royal Ascot.”

Rouget said: “I was very confident for this race after the French Guineas because I prefer her with a turn.

“She’s a top-class filly. She was very nervous in Deauville and I don’t think she ran the race she had to do. Today she ran the race and won easily.”

Nemoralia’s trainer Jeremy Noseda said: “I’m delighted with her run. We took a chance on the ground and she ran great, so I can’t complain.”

Jockey Shane Foley said of Jet Setting, who dead-heated for sixth: “She jumped and travelled, but she didn’t pick up that well. It might be that she’s coming into season, while she had a tough race at the Curragh.”

Struck a blow

Meanwhile Quiet Reflection struck a blow for the north, and the little guy, to give former jump jockey Dougie Costello his first Group One win in the Commonwealth Cup

Strongly fancied for this race since winning the Sandy Lane Stakes impressively at Haydock, the 7-4 favourite delivered on her promise.

Trainer Karl Burke, winning his first domestic race at the top level, had spoken of her in glowing terms since then and she took her record to six wins from seven starts.

The closing stages were agonising viewing for her connections as the leader, Kachy, veered badly to his left while Ryan Moore was starting his charge down the centre of the track on Washington DC.

Costello did not panic and kept Quiet Reflection straight and true as she once again displayed her electric turn of foot.