Broome (6-1) gave Ballydoyle maestro Aidan O'Brien an incredible 900th career Group or Graded winner thanks to a superb front-running ride by Ryan Moore to land the Hardwicke Stakes on the final day of Royal Ascot 2022 on Saturday afternoon.
The six-year-old son of Australia had nothing like the form of Charlie Appleby's 8-11 favourite Hurricane Lane – who won the Irish Derby, the Grand Prix De Paris and the Cazoo St Leger last season. But Broome had already had a run this season and under Moore he made sure any lack of fitness was exposed. And it proved decisive as Hurricane Lane wasn't at his peak on ground firmer than ideal and he could never get to the Broome before eventually finishing third.
Broome – who had been close-up fifth to Alenquer in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh last month – was taken wide initially by Moore before crossing over to take the lead from Solid Stone. And from the front he made sure it was a searching gallop for those in behind. After the turn for home, Moore kicked on again and although Mostahdaf (11-2) and Hurricane Lane tried to throw down a challenge, Broome wouldn't be caught and galloped on to a superb three-and-a-quarter-length success over the former. Hurricane Lane was a further length-and-a-quarter back in third.
