A spirited performance by Never Let Go added a new chapter to the Royal Ascot success stories, as the Ed Walker-trained filly overcame long odds to capture the Sandringham Stakes in determined style. Under the expert guidance of Kieran Shoemark, the three-year-old made full use of her low draw and charged through a tightly packed field to secure her biggest win yet.
Positioned toward the rear in the early stages, the daughter of No Nay Never showed her class in the closing furlongs, surging past rivals on the far side. She crossed the line a length ahead of Cajole, with Tabiti following in third, maintaining the pattern of low-drawn horses dominating the race. The runner who fared best among those drawn higher was Oolong Poobong, who managed a commendable fourth-place finish.
While this was only her second career win, the filly had previously hinted at ability with a strong third-place effort in Listed company at Goodwood. That performance elevated her enough to make the cut for Ascot, much to the satisfaction of her trainer. Walker, reflecting on the result, shared that he nearly withdrew her due to an unfavorable draw but changed course after noticing positive results from similarly drawn horses earlier in the day.
It was a much-needed highlight for Walker, who described the week as emotionally challenging. He credited the support of Rockcliffe Stud and pointed to Never Let Go’s pedigree as a reason to expect further progress. Still developing physically and mentally, the filly appears to have a bright future ahead, especially as her family line is known for late-blooming talent.
Kieran Shoemark was equally enthused, praising the filly’s composure and tactical speed. The race unfolded smoothly from his perspective, with a good pace set on his side of the track and a timely opening appearing just when he needed it. Having faced a tough spell in recent weeks, the win served as a significant morale boost for the jockey, who acknowledged how much it meant to both himself and the owners to get a Royal Ascot win.
This marked Walker’s fourth career victory at Royal Ascot and Shoemark’s second, making it a day to remember for both horsemen. As for Cajole, her jockey Saffie Osborne noted the filly ran bravely and felt that with a different race path, the result might have been even tighter.
With 25 runners lining up for the Sandringham Stakes, the competition was fierce, but Never Let Go’s performance underlined her upward trajectory. If this display is anything to go by, she may soon be making headlines in even more competitive company.
