A year after a frustrating run in the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes, Ethical Diamond returned to Royal Ascot with purpose and precision, delivering a commanding performance that underlined his progress and resilience. This time around, the Willie Mullins-trained gelding was in no mood to leave anything to chance. With Ryan Moore guiding him expertly through the pack, the 3/1 favourite surged past his rivals in the final furlong to secure a decisive two-length victory, marking a redemptive moment for both horse and team.
Positioned patiently in mid-division, Moore timed his move to perfection. Once Ethical Diamond found clear running room in the straight, his acceleration was instant and decisive. The result was a comfortable win, and a far cry from the previous year’s effort when things didn’t quite click. The victory not only offered redemption but confirmed that the five-year-old has matured into a much more tactically sound and manageable competitor.
Finishing behind him was Mutaawid, who kept up the fine form of the Gosden yard. As a full brother to Mostahdaf and half-brother to Nazeef, Mutaawid carries strong bloodlines, and his second-place finish over this extended trip was promising for future middle-distance targets. In third was the improving Naqeeb, whose best effort of the season came at big odds, suggesting he is beginning to find his stride. Siege Of Troy rounded out the top four in a creditable effort.
Mullins, elated with the result, noted that Ethical Diamond had faced early trouble in the race but recovered well thanks to Moore’s experienced handling. The trainer expressed optimism about future plans, hinting at potential starts in the Ebor at York or even a trip to Melbourne should qualification be achieved. A switch to hurdles remains a long-term consideration, but for now, his Flat career is the focus, especially given the improvement shown on ground that may not even be his preferred surface.
It was also a memorable day for the Mullins family, with Willie participating in the Royal Procession and his wife Jackie presenting the Albany Stakes trophy. That sense of occasion was amplified by a win, making the experience even more special.
Ryan Moore, now with 91 Royal Ascot wins under his belt, admitted Ethical Diamond made the job easy despite some mid-race complications. He praised the horse’s ability to quicken once given space, even if he personally felt he hadn’t executed the race flawlessly. Moore’s experience once again played a vital role in extracting the best from his mount.
In the runner-up camp, Thady Gosden was proud of Mutaawid’s run, particularly as the colt was stretching out to a mile and a half for the first time. Meanwhile, Ryan Sexton, who piloted Naqeeb, felt the horse showed real development and is one to watch moving forward.
The Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes served as a perfect stage for redemption, growth, and emerging talent. Ethical Diamond’s polished performance was a testament to careful planning, patience, and the magic touch of both trainer and jockey, making this win one of the more satisfying victories of this year’s Royal Ascot.
