History-making Stoute has the final say as Poet's Word floors Cracksman

Sir Michael Stoute became the all-time leading trainer at Royal Ascot on Wednesday as Poet's Word downed an again under-par Cracksman in a shock result to the Prince of Wales's Stakes.

The 11-2 shot's victory took Stoute to a career total of 76 wins at the royal meeting, moving him one clear of the late Sir Henry Cecil's tally of 75. He later added a 77th victory when Expert Eye returned to form in the Jersey.

"It means a lot [to me] and to the whole stable as well," Stoute said. "The yard will love it. Henry did most of his training when it was a four-day meeting, so I have had an advantage. Nobody respected him greater than I did as a trainer."

TOP CURRENT TRAINERS AT THE ROYAL MEETING

Stoute professed after the race to have been dubious about Poet's Word chance of beating Cracksman, who was billed as a royal meeting banker and was the highest-rated horse in the world last year, although Bruce Raymond, racing manager to Poet's Word's owner Saeed Suhail, warned favourite-backers before the race: "We're not going there to run second".

Those words proved prophetic as Poet's Word, a classic Stoute improver, enjoyed a dream run under James Doyle, travelling as smoothly as a Rolls-Royce while Cracksman was consistently being cajoled along by Frankie Dettori.

Cracksman did pick up in the straight and hit the front under Dettori, seeking to add to his opening-day treble, but he had no answer to the power of Poet's Word as he swept round his outside and on to a dominant two-and-a-quarter-length victory, with Godolphin's Hawkbill a further eight lengths back in third.

View Poet's Word's Prince of Wales's success here

Doyle reflected: "They went a hell of a pace all the way. I could see Cracksman even after going a furlong was under pressure to hold his pitch.

"I thought, 'I'm going easy', and from Swinley Bottom to the home turn I was travelling all over him.

"It was just a case of hanging on and in the back of my mind I knew this horse stays a mile and a half, so I still wanted to press the button early enough. He's so tough, and fair play to everyone at Sir Michael's."

Stoute said: "I wasn't confident. This horse [Cracksman] had beaten us comprehensively in the Champion Stakes last year. Maybe Cracksman is not at his very best now, but we've beaten the others comprehensively.

"Poet's Word is a very consistent, brave, sound horse. That's what he is. A huge well done to all the staff because they've put a lot of work into a horse like this.

"I was delighted for him because he's been in at the deep end in Group 1s and performing very creditably, and it was very nice to see him win."

Doyle added: "I've been lucky enough to ride with Sir Michael during my time at Juddmonte and it's nice to pick up a ride, and it's a huge landmark victory today. Sir Michael is a master trainer. With horses like this he is just very patient with them."

Poet's Word (James Doyle) leaves Cracksman trailingCredit: Edward Whitaker

This 76th Royal Ascot victory of Stoute's career came 41 years after his first, Etienne Gerard in the 1977 Jersey Stakes.

His royal meeting record since then reads like a who's who of the sport's stars, featuring horses like Marwell, Shareef Dancer, Sonic Lady, Zilzal, Kalanisi and Estimate, jockeys including Piggott, Swinburn, Eddery, Fallon, Moore and Dettori, and owners such as the Queen and the Aga Khan.

"I think Royal Ascot is very special to any trainer," Stoute added. "We've been very lucky in that we've brought a lot of nice horses here over the years.

"We're very glad it's happened, and it's great for the staff."

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