Tahiyra (8-13 favourite) proved too good for her rivals again to win the Coronation Stakes on day four of Royal Ascot 2023.
Dermot Weld’s Irish 1,000 Guineas heroine proved her pre-eminence in the Fillies mile division with victory in the Group One feature on the fourth day of the Royal meeting at the Berkshire track. Under Chris Hayes, the Aga Khan-owned daughter of Siyouni, like in Ireland, was held up in the rear off a muddling pace set mostly by Aidan O’Brien’s Meditate. Tahiyra was still nearer last than first on the turn for home in the mile contest. But she came down the outside as Meditate faded on the inside and 25-1 outsider Remarquee hit the front. But Tahiyra was travelling well and although she came across one of her rivals, eventual third Sounds Of Heaven, she hit the front before going on to score by a length from Remarquee.
For legendary Irish trainer Weld it was an 18th Royal Ascot winner 50 years almost to the day from his first with Klairvimy in the King Edward VII Stakes in 1973. Weld, who also won the Coronation Stakes with Sutton Place back in 1978, said: "I thought she put in an excellent performance, I think she was a worthy winner. With a very small field I always knew it was going to be a tactical race and she has so much pace. She's a very talented filly. She was very brave and she got a lovely ride from Chris the way the race turned out, he rode her hands and heels and she was a very deserving winner.
