Longines Breeders' Cup Turf winner Auguste Rodin made the lead in the long stretch at Ascot and held off late challenges to win the Group 1 Prince of Wales's Stakes for jockey Ryan Moore and trainer Aidan O'Brien on June 19 at the Royal Ascot meet. Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf winner Inspiral started slowly and never challenged.

Royal Ascot coverage courtesy of Racing Post

Auguste Rodin was coming home in front for the first time this season since his flop in the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic. He then finishing second in the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh. Both performances had left people questioning the horse's ability to produce at the top level.

"He's a great little horse," said Moore in praise of Auguste Rodin. "A few times it hasn't happened and there's been reasons every time.

"He took me there going very well and was waiting for me to ask him (for his effort). When I did, he showed great courage and put his head down and wanted to win. He's a fantastic horse, a proper horse. He's been a real good horse and he deserved that," Moore said.

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Moore always held a handy position on Auguste Rodin in the Prince of Wales's, tracking the pace set by Snobbish and Hans Andersen. O'Brien said the move was part of a tactical rejigging with the trainer saying the horse's poor performances last year when beaten in the Group 1 Two Thousand Guineas, the Group 1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and in Dubai this year were due to incorrect riding instructions.

"We're so delighted for everybody," said O'Brien, who was winning his 400th Group/Grade 1 on the flat. "He's a very special horse and he gets a mile and a half very well.

The strong pace set by the two pacemakers put too much pressure on Inspiral's stamina, according to her joint trainer John Gosden. The filly finished sixth, one place in front of the disappointing Blue Rose Cen.

"They've gone very, very hard on a stiff mile and a quarter and it's caught her out on stamina. The Santa Anita mile and a quarter is very easy, and they went slow that day," Gosden said. "She wasn't beaten that far. There's no reason she can't go back to racing against fillies again."

The Prince of Wales's is a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series event. With his victory, Auguste Rodin earned an automatic berth into the 2024 Longines Breeders' Cup Turf at Del Mar this November, where he is expected to attempt to defend his title. -- Peter Scargill/Racing Post and Matt Rennie/Racing Post