Saint Lawrence completes Royal Ascot treble with Wokingham win for Upper Lambourn’s Watson

Saint Lawrence completed a Royal Ascot treble for Upper Lambourn trainer Archie Watson and Hungerford jockey Hollie Doyle when he caused an upset to land the Wokingham Stakes.

The John Deer-owned five-year-old was making his first start under Watson’s tutelage, having finished 18th in a field of 21 at Newmarket last month in his final ride for Roger Varian.

Setting off at 22/1, Doyle held her mount towards the rear before making a move and finding some space to the right of the field two furlongs out.

Taking the lead inside the final furlong, Saint Lawrence stayed on better than his rivals to land the contest by a length from the Peter Charalambous and James Clutterbuck-trained Apollo One.

It brought the curtain down on an historic week for Watson and Doyle, who linked up to land the Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes with Bradsell and the Palace of Holyroodhouse Handicap with Rhythm N Hooves.

“It is incredible,” Watson said.

“We came here with a handful of 20/1 shots really, and to win three races is beyond my wildest dreams.

“It is amazing.”

On Saint Lawrence, Watson added: “I am very grateful to Mr Deer for sending him to us.

“He felt the horse would benefit from a change of scenery.

“He’s always shown us plenty at home and he’s a very nice horse to have around.

“I am just delighted to get the job done at the first time of asking.”

Watson had three runners in the Wokingham Stakes and allowed Doyle her pick of them.

He said: “I fancied all three of them and made sure Hollie chose which one to ride so it wasn’t my fault.

“And she chose right!”