- Venetian Sun, the heavily backed favourite, secured her second Royal Ascot triumph by winning the Commonwealth Cup, fending off a late challenge from 50-1 outsider Spicy Marg.
- The victory marked an emotional return to the winner's enclosure for jockey Clifford Lee, who made a remarkable comeback after suffering a career-threatening motorbike accident last year, breaking his C1 vertebra.
- The Karl Burke-trained three-year-old filly, an 11-8 market leader, took command a furlong from the finish, holding off Michael Bell’s long-shot Spicy Marg by a mere head, adding to her Albany Stakes success from the previous year.
- Jockey Clifford Lee expressed his gratitude, stating he felt stronger and better after five and a half months of recovery, and confirmed that Venetian Sun is definitively a sprinter, now unbeaten at six furlongs.
- Trainer Michael Bell, whose horse Spicy Marg finished a valiant second, admitted to a fleeting moment of hope and is now considering supplementing his runner for the prestigious July Cup, following the unexpected strong performance.
IN FULL
Venetian Sun seals emotional Royal Ascot win for jockey Clifford Lee in Commonwealth Cup
