‘Aussie Tom’ Marquand has landed the first winner at Royal Ascot for King Charles III

Remarkable scenes engulfed Royal Ascot after ‘Aussie Tom’ Marquand delivered Desert Hero the winner of the King George V Stakes for King Charles III and Queen Camilla before the ‘King Of Ascot’ Frankie Dettori won the Ascot Gold Cup.

Trainer William Haggas with Tom Marquand celebrate the victory of Desert Hero in the King George V Stakes with King Charles III and Queen Camilla. Picture: Alex Pantling–Getty Images)

Adopted Aussie Tom Marquand has created history riding the first Royal Ascot winner for King Charles III and Queen Camilla taking out the King George V Stakes before Frankie Dettori whipped the crowd into a frenzy winning his ninth Ascot Gold Cup in his final ride in the race.

Royal Ascot erupted as “Aussie Tom’ drove the William Haggas-trained Desert Hero between horses to grab the lead in the shadows of the post to deliver the famous victory in a photo finish.

Marquand and Haggas have been regular Group 1 raiders in the Australian autumn winning the Queen Elizabeth Stakes three times with Addeybb (2020-21) and this year with Dubai Honour.

The two also combined to win the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes with Addeybb in 2020 while Haggas was successful again this year with Dubai Honour, ridden by Ryan Moore with Marquand out injured.

Queen Camilla and King Charles III speak with stable lad Jack Abbey (centre), jockey Tom Marquand and trainer William Haggas in the winner‘s enclosure after their horse, Desert Hero won the King George V Stakes. Picture: Justin Tallis–AFP

Celebrations continued immediately after the King George V Stakes when Frankie Dettori landed his ninth Ascot Gold Cup as the crowd went wild for the star hoop in his last meeting riding at Royal Ascot.

It was a masterful ride from Dettori as he sliced his way through the field on Courage Mon Ami to keep an unbeaten record for the four-year-old who made it four wins from as many starts.

Dettori gave the crowd what they wanted when he deliver his trademark ‘star jump’ dismounting from the John and Thady Gosden-trained gelding to the roar of the crowd.

Soon afterwards the day was complete when King Charles III and Queen Camilla joined Dettori for the Gold Cup trophy presentation.

There was another Australian link in victory when Warm Heart — the daughter of triple Group 1 winner Sea Siren — won the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes.

Warm Heart, by super sire Galileo, was ridden by Ryan Moore and is trained by Aidan O’Brien.

Frankie Dettori with King Charles III and Queen Camilla as he celebrates at the trophy presentation for the Ascot Gold Cup. Picture: Alex Pantling–Getty Images

WHAT A RACE! @FrankieDettori wins the Gold Cup aboard Courage Mon Ami! #RoyalAscot 🏆 pic.twitter.com/dOcUjboc4w

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 22, 2023

Frankie Dettori dismounts from Courage Mon Ami after winning his ninth Ascot Gold Cup. Picture: Alex Pantling–Getty Images

Frankie Dettori (red cap) gets Courage Mon Ami over the top of Coltrane in the Ascot Gold Cup. Picture: Justin Tallis–AFP

Royal winner at #RoyalAscot! Desert Hero wins the King George V for King Charles, Queen Camilla, @TomMarquand and William Haggas! @Ascotpic.twitter.com/TWQ7v2DILY

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 22, 2023

Some very happy owners! 👑 #RoyalAscotpic.twitter.com/ErJCbCpL6X

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 22, 2023

Tom Marquand was all smiles after collecting the King George V Stakes trophy. Picture: Tom Dulat–Getty Images for Ascot Racecourse

Originally published as ‘Aussie Tom’ Marquand has landed the first winner at Royal Ascot for King Charles III