OSCAR SCHINDLER took the starring role in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot yesterday to give Ireland its third success - and trainer Kevin Prendergast his second - at the meeting.
Michael Kinane wrapped up his fifth victory of the week when he sent the colt to the front inside the final furlong to defeat Ann us Mirabilis by half a length.
Oscar Schindler is named after the German industrialist who helped to rescue thousands of Jews from the clutches of the Nazis.
His owner, Oliver Lehane, said: "Oscar Schindler's widow Emily was a little bit reluctant to let me name the horse after her husband but she eventually agreed when I made a financial offer."
Mrs Schindler, who is living in poverty near Buenos Aires, will be invited to Ascot next month by Lehane if Oscar Schindler runs in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes.
Oscar Schindler's other main targets this season are the Irish St Leger and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
Hassled by persistent owners, Mark Prescott changed the habits of a lifetime to clinch a glorious victory in the King's Stand Stakes.
During the winter Prescott had been rubbing his hands with glee at the thought of plotting a handicap coup - one of his favourite pastimes - with the leniently treated Pivotal.
The trainer was eventually happy to raise his sights to Group Three company but owner David Thompson insisted on aiming even higher and going for the Group Two King's Stand Stakes.
Prescott bowed to his wishes and was delighted that he did so as Pivotal produced a powerful, late burst under George Duffield to beat the favourite Mind Games by half a length, with the Con Collins trained Almaty putting up a great display to finish third. It was the most prestigious success in the career of the long serving Newmarket trainer.
Pivotal, whose next target is, likely to be the July Cup at New market, was helped by being drawn on the faster ground on the stands' side.
Clive Brittain pulled another rabbit out of his top hat to conjure a 66 to 1 surprise with rank outsider Amfortas in the Group Two King Edward VII Stakes. Derby third Shantou wad nearly a length back in third as Amfortas made all to beat Desert Boy by half a length and there was not a hint of fluke about it.
It was a day for outsiders as 33 to 1 shot Emerging Market grabbed the Wokingham Handicap, finishing strongly to beat Prince Babar by half a length with Double Bounce third and favourite Green Perfume fourth.
Winning trainer John Dunlop is ownership of the winner. More notably, it was the third success at the meeting for Leicestershire vet and breeder Richard Watson.
Watson and his wife Tessa from Oakham, also bred Royal Hunt Cup winner Yeast and yesterday's Cork And Orrery Stakes scorer Atraf. Orient, the dam of Yeast whom they raced, holds the five furlong track record at Ascot.
