Valiant Force delivered one of the greatest shocks in Royal Ascot history as the 150/1 winner of The Norfolk Stakes. In a race littered with debutant winners and two highly regarded American raiders, little attention was paid to the Kia Joorabchian-owned horse who finished second and second-last in its first two starts.
But after seizing the lead inside the final two furlongs, he fought off late pressure from 66/1 outsider Malc and favourite Elite Status for a glorious Group 2 victory. Trainer Adrian Murray crossed the Irish Sea with just three entries and after Bucanero Fuerte finished third in the Coventry Stakes on Monday, he suspected his voyage could not get any better.
“I can’t believe it. I fell into racing by accident – a friend of mine got me involved,” beamed Murray. “It's magic. We were third here on Monday and I wondered if that would ever happen again.
