The Tin Man Trumps in Royal Ascot Diamond Jubilee

Equiano’s The Tin Man secured his second Group 1 success in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes on the final day of Royal Ascot 2017, for the popular former Swettenham Stud shuttle stallion.

Ridden by Tom Queally, famous for being Frankel’s regular pilot, he is trained in the heart of Newmarket by the ambitious James Fanshawe, who has now won his tenth race at Royal Ascot.

“There is no place like this to train Group One winners. To have a horse of that calibre with the Fred Archer syndicate is terribly exciting,” Fanshawe said.

The Tin Man runs in the colours of Fred Archer Racing – named after a jockey of the late 19th century, who rode a record 12 winners at Royal Ascot in 1878 and whose ghost is said to haunt Fanshawe’s Newmarket yard which he built.

"It's brilliant for the yard, and the horse loves Ascot. It suits his style as he comes from off the pace, and his acceleration can come to the fore,” Fanshawe said.

"I had belief in the horse, but he's been harder to assess as he's getting a bit craftier at home. That's clever as he's looking after himself, arriving at the races in better health,”

"He just does what he has to do; you don’t do homework if you're good at your job in the afternoon."

Surviving a steward’s inquiry, after some bumping late in the race, a thankful Tom Queally said. “He's the best sprinter I've ridden, it’s a mix of relief and pride that James’s stable star delivered when it mattered most.”

Taking time to mature, The Tin Man is now the UK’s best older sprinter, having proved himself again at the top level, with his first Group 1 victory coming last October in the Sipco Championship Stakes at Ascot.

His obvious target will be Europe's most prestigious sprint, the Darley July Cup at Newmarket, if Fanshawe is satisfied with how he pulls up.

There is even the possibility that The Tin Man may travel to Melbourne for the Spring Carnival, which would be a real thrill for all the breeders who supported him while standing at Swettenham Stud.

“We haven’t even left Ascot yet, so we will see. Let’s get the July Cup out of the way first, and we will make a plan.”