Diamond Jubilee destined for export Irish trained sprinters have traditionally been thin on the ground but in recent years, largely through the exploits of Eddie Lynam, that trend is changing. Saturday’s Royal Ascot showpiece, The Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes over six furlongs, sees four Irish trained sprinters towards the head of the market for one of the season’s sprinting highlights. William Hill make the Lynam trained Slade Power their clear 7/2 favourite. Slade Power finished seventh in this race last year but has since scored four times from seven subsequent runs including over the course and distance when taking the Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes last October. Lynam-trained sprinters have already visited the Royal Ascot winners’ enclosure twice this week and the Co. Meath handler has every reason to expect a bold showing from Slade Power. Starspangledbanner (2010), the only Irish trained winner of The Diamond Jubilee Stakes in the last twenty years, was trained by Aidan O’Brien and the Ballydoyle maestro will be double-handed this year with Darwin and Due Diligence. O’Brien’s son and stable jockey Joesph rides Darwin as he is unable to do the correct weight on Due Diligence who will be partnered by Ryan Moore. Due Diligence, an American import, is the rising star of the sprinting division having scored impressively on two recent outings at Naas. His initial handicap rating has soared from 97 to 113 and the indications are that there is more to come as he steps up in class to Group 1 level for the first time. The Irish challengers for the £297,000 winner’s purse are completed by the Globe-trotting Gordon Lord Byron trained by Tom Hogan. Hogan has brought Gordon Lord Byron from humble beginnings to the dizzy heights of International racing. The bargin-basement buy cost €2,000 at the Goffs November Foal sale and failed to win on his first six racecourse starts but has since won in excess of €500,000 in prize money and bagged two Group 1 victories along the way. William Hill guarantee best price on all horse racing, Bet on Royal Ascot at William Hill
