The Fugue Music To Lloyd-Webber's Ears

Thursday, 19 June 2014 07:34

The Fugue has sprung a surprise in the Group One Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot leaving last year's horse of the year, French filly Treve, trailing in her wake.

The Fugue, owned by musical impresario and composer Andrew Lloyd-Webber and his wife Madeleine for whom it was their 10th winner at Royal Ascot, coasted home in a new track record under Norwegian-born William Buick.

"It's the best day of our racing career," purred Lloyd-Webber on Wednesday.

His wife said she had hoped he had had a cold as Lloyd-Webber had never been present when she won her previous three Group Ones only when she had flopped as she did in the Epsom Oaks two years ago.

"I even had a tie pin with her name on it but I was refused permission to wear it," the 66-year-old chortled.

For trainer John Gosden it was his second big winner in as many days as he landed the St James's Palace Stakes on Tuesday with Kingman.

Treve, who carried all before her last year climaxing with Europe's most prestigious race the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, was never going well and was pushed along by Frankie Dettori two furlongs out but failed to accelerate and finished third with Irish raider Magician taking second.

Treve's trainer Criquette Head-Maarek cut a worried figure after the race even though her filly and Magician also broke the old track record.

"Frankie said she didn't move well atall and I also noticed her action was wrong so we will have to take a look at her when we get her back to Chantilly," she said.

Dettori, who missed the ride on her in the Arc last year because he broke his ankle in a freak fall days before the race, said he knew the game was up even before they broke from the stalls.

"She wasn't right going down to the start so there must be something wrong with her," said the exuberant Italian.

"I knew my fate at the three furlong marker. It's not the Treve we all know and love."