Tahiyra victory in Coronation Stakes, marking landmark win for Dermot Weld
Tahiyra, ridden by Chris Hayes and trained by Dermot Weld, showcased her prowess and overcame a stewards’ enquiry to emerge as the winner of the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot. This victory marked her first British Group One triumph, as she comfortably outpaced Remarquee and jockey Rob Hornby by a one-length margin.
Although the -163.93 betting site favourite, Tahiyra encountered a minor setback by slightly missing the start, which prompted Hayes to position her at the back of the field. Meanwhile, Meditate, a long-standing rival, led the way under jockey Ryan Moore until the two-furlong pole when Sounds Of Heaven made a strong move.
However, throughout the race, Tahiyra maintained a smooth position behind her competitors. Despite causing some minor interference to the eventual second-place finisher, Remarquee, she always held a sufficient advantage, securing Hayes his first-ever victory at Royal Ascot.
This triumph also holds significance as it coincides with the 50th anniversary of Weld’s initial Royal Ascot win with Klairvimy in the 1973 King Edward VII Stakes. Speaking about the race, Hayes shared, “It wasn’t an easy ride. She stumbled slightly at the start. I had to adjust to Plan B as she became a bit eager, which is uncharacteristic of her. The pace was slow, so she had to perform well to make up ground when the speed increased. She lost a bit of focus—I’m eager to ride her in a race with a consistent tempo; this stop-start race was challenging. The boss instructed me to ride her with confidence. She’s the fastest filly in the race, and I rode her like she was the best.”
Regarding the stewards’ enquiry, Hayes clarified, “It had nothing to do with me—the horses on the inside bunched up.” Weld, the winning trainer, praised Tahiyra’s remarkable performance, stating, “I believe she delivered an outstanding performance and deserved to win. With such a small field, I expected a tactical race, and she possesses remarkable speed. She’s an incredibly talented filly.”
He further commended Hayes’ handling of the race, saying, “She displayed great courage, and Chris gave her a fantastic ride, using a hands-and-heels approach. She truly deserved this victory.”
Weld revealed the plan to give Tahiyra a well-deserved break, stating, “Our intention was always to provide her with a restful holiday—a nice break. She has had a busy spring and early summer, and now she needs some time off. We will carefully plan her autumn campaign.”