Hello Youmzain made all the running then dug deep to win Saturday’s Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes (6f) at Royal Ascot.
Bounding out of the stalls in front under Kevin Stott, Hello Youmzain was headed by Sceptical inside the final furlong but fought back to defeat Dream Of Dreams by a head with Sceptical a neck away third.
Adam Ryan, son of trainer Kevin Ryan, praised the winner.
“Hello Youmzain has done it the hard way,” Ryan said. “He jumped well and Kevin (Stott) did the right thing, let him find his stride and where he was happy, and when it came to the business end, he battled on hard.
“He is a very game, very tough horse, and especially to do that on his first run of the season was very impressive.
“He did well over the winter; he strengthened up and matured again. We had him as well as we could have done at home – his work has been very good. We always thought this year he’d be more of the finished article, and he looked fantastic today. Credit to the team.”
It is the second Group 1 win for the son of Kodiac, now owned by Haras d’Etreham in France and Cambridge Stud in New Zealand.
Speaking from New Zealand, part-owners Brendan and Jo Lindsay told ITV the win will be a big filip for the country.
“This is the most amazing thing ever for us. We were so nervous, and we have been out for dinner tonight with some friends, and they are back home watching the race,” Jo Lindsay said.
“I think it feels like half of New Zealand is up watching the race tonight the amount of phone calls and messages we have had!
“I don’t know if any New Zealander has won a Group One at Royal Ascot before, it is just amazing.”