LOVING DREAM landed something of a shock victory in the Group Two Ribblesdale Stakes on the third day of Royal Ascot 2021.
Trained by John and Thady Gosden, the filly was sent off at 18-1, seemingly the second string of the stable's runner with Gloria Mundi and Frankie Dettori the better fancided of the two.
But under Rab Havlin, Loving Deam held off the late challenge of the Roger Varian-trained previously unbeaten Eshaada (17-2) to score by three-quarters-of-a-length, with Aidan O'Brien's Nicest (28-1) a further length-and-three-quarters back in third just ahead of stable-mater Divinely.
The daughter of Gleneagles, in ghe famous pink silks of Lordship Stud, had been fifth in the Lingfield Oaks Trial last month. But she took a big step-up on that to hang on to a fine win in the 1m4f Group Two contest.
Running in the famous pink colours of Lordship Stud, Loving Dream went for home with the challengers stacking up behind her.
But under Havlin, she battled on well to score.
Havlin, a stalwart of the Gosden stable, was landing only his second Royal Ascot win after Ardad's victory in the Windsor Castle Stakes in 2016.
John Gosden said: "Robert committed early and made best use of her stamina.
"Eshaada came late, everyone had a go but she's very game and very honest and it was a wonderful positive ride by Robert, it really was.
"Trevor and Libby (Harris), the breeders, you go through a lot of agony as breeders but they've been fantastic for the game and they've never given up and to go and win this race is pretty special."
Winning jockey Havlin was delighted to land a second Royal Ascot winner, saying: "They're (races at the Royal meeting) not easy to win, the same people seem to win them every year!
"It's great to ride another one, especially for the boss, and the filly has done well. I thought she was overpriced on the day and that has been proven to be so.
"She was drawn 12 so my hand was forced, we thought there was probably going to be early pace and then it would settle down, so if I tried to get a mid-div position I would have been caught wide, so myself and William (Buick, on Dubai Fountain) just kept forward and kept kicking until we got there.
"Luckily we got a nice break and saved plenty for the straight."
He added: "It's fantastic. Yesterday I had a ride for Her Majesty (Pied Piper, 10th in the Queen's Vase), we didn't do too well but that was another childhood dream so I'm ticking the boxes.
"I'm getting on in my career so I can enjoy them a little bit more now."
Eshaada runs in the colours of the late Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum's Shadwell Estate Company and lost little in defeat, considering her inexperience.
Racing manager Angus Gold said: "The winner went forward while we took a sit, but we were held in the final 100 yards so there are no excuses.
"It was only her third race, she will improve and technically it's all ahead of her.
"I think long term she could end up in the fillies' race back here on Champions Day."
Eshaada runs in the colours of the late Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum's Shadwell Estate Company, who has won the earlier Hampton Court Stakes with Mohaafeth.
They are looking at some big targets for the improving daughter of Muhaarar.
And racing manager Angus Gold said: "The winner went forward while we took a sit, but we were held in the final 100 yards so there are no excuses.
"It was only her third race, she will improve and technically it's all ahead of her.
"I think long term she could end up in the fillies' race back here on Champions Day."
