Charyn emerged as the clear victor of the Queen Anne Stakes at the opening race of the 2024 Royal Ascot meeting. Trained by Roger Varian and ridden by Silvestre de Sousa, the four-year-old has shown significant progress this season, culminating in a win as the 100-30 favourite after finishing second in the Lockinge at Newbury.
The race featured a peculiar scene with two French raiders, Big Rock and Facteur Cheval, racing separately on the far side, while the rest of the field followed Lockinge winner Audience. De Sousa, riding Charyn, stayed close to Audience and made a strong move with two furlongs to go, ultimately securing a comfortable victory. Hayley Turner and Docklands put in a commendable performance to claim second place, with Maljoom finishing in third.
Varian expressed his delight at the Group One victory, praising the efforts of the entire team and the support of owner Nurlan Bizakov. He highlighted Charyn's improvement as he has gotten older and hinted at the possibility of the horse exploring longer distances in the future.
Looking ahead, Varian mentioned potential plans for Charyn, including a return to Ascot for Champions Day later in the season. He also lauded De Sousa's role in the victory and the strong partnership between the jockey and the stable.
For De Sousa, the win represented a significant milestone in his career, marking a return to top form after a challenging period in Hong Kong. He expressed his joy and gratitude for the recent successes, including wins in Italy and England, underscoring the positive trajectory of his career.
Overall, Charyn's victory at the Queen Anne Stakes was a well-deserved triumph for the horse, trainer, jockey, and entire team, setting a promising tone for the rest of the racing season.