Danny Tudhope© Photo Healy Racing
Soldier’s Call provided fledgling trainer Archie Watson with his first winner at Royal Ascot with victory in the Windsor Castle Stakes.
Danny Tudhope© Photo Healy RacingThe Showcasing colt had confirmed the promise of his debut second at Lingfield with an impressive display at Haydock earlier this month and he was sent off at 12-1 for his third career start in this five-furlong Listed event.
Ridden by Danny Tudhope, Soldier’s Call led the group that raced nearest the stands rail from the moment the stalls opened and had enough in reserve to score a shade cosily from Sabre.
Dom Carlos was best of the rest in third.
Watson, who had seen another juvenile inmate Nate The Great go down by just a neck in the opening Chesham Stakes, said: “After Nate I was delighted, but I was gutted.
“This is only our second year training and our second year with runners here. After Nate’s run I thought I might have to wait a bit longer than an hour for that first winner!
“This horse means a lot to us. The owners have all put a lot of faith in me as a second-season trainer and sent me a lot of kit. I’m just delighted that I can repay their faith.
“Danny Tudhope is a world-class jockey and I’m very lucky to have him ride my horses.
“It means a lot to the whole team.”
