Jockey Adam Kirby's dream week got even better Wednesday as he guided outsider My Dream Boat to glory in the Prince of Wales's Stakes, the feature race on the second day of Royal Ascot. Kirby — whose girlfriend Megan gave birth to a baby boy Tuesday a few hours before he won the Group One King's Stand Stakes on Profitable — just edged out tough as teak Irish filly Found. The major disappointment was odds-on favorite A Shin Hikari — who had had the winner way back in fifth on their previous outing in France — widely expected to give Japan its first ever winner at the meeting. However, the warning signs were out early in the finishing straight that all was not going to plan and he gave up tamely when challenged and finished last of the six runners. Found looked set to give trainer Aidan O'Brien his 50th Royal Ascot winner but Kirby had other ideas as despite veering toward the stands he got enough out of him to edge the Clive Cox-trained runner ahead on the line. "He gave me a good feel but it got a bit lonely out there when he went off course," said Kirby. "I was a bit nervous on the line as I thought we might have cost ourselves the victory." Cox, who was giving owners Paul and Clare Rooney their first winner with their first runner at Royal Ascot, said Kirby might have another new arrival waiting for him back at home. "That was so tight Megan might have given birth again," joked the English trainer, collecting his sixth Ascot winner and seventh Group One prize. "The horse has a massive heart and he's run out of his skin." O'Brien, who has just the one winner thus far at this week's meeting, was philosophical about the narrow defeat. "She (Found) ran really well but you never think it is in the bag till they have crossed line," said the 46-year-old Irishman. Earlier, American filly Lady Aurelia produced a mouthwatering performance under Frankie Dettori to leave Europe's best two-year-old fillies trailing in her wake. It gave trainer Wesley Ward his second successive win in the Queen Mary Stakes and third in all. "It was breathtaking from the start," said Dettori. "You just don't win races at Royal Ascot by seven lengths!" added Dettori who took his Royal Ascot total to 55 when he won the final race of the day the Sandringham Handicap, his third of the week. Ward, winning his seventh race at the meeting, said he would like to keep her in England. "I always thought a lot of her and she's proved it today," said Ward. "I would like to keep her here and will talk to the owners about that. The sprint the Nunthorpe Stakes at York (in August against older horses) would have some appeal," added Ward, who nearly dropped the trophy he received from former England batsman James Taylor, who had to retire from the game this year because of a heart defect. Goldophin, which has a record 50 runners this week, recorded a welcome treble in the Group Two Duke of Cambridge Stakes, the Group Three Jersey Stakes and the Royal Hunt Cup. France's 26-times champion trainer Andre Fabre visited the winner's enclosure for the first time since 2010 as Usherette eased to victory in the Duke of Cambridge giving jockey Mickael Barzalona his first win at Royal Ascot. "She pulverised them," said a beaming Fabre. "I had a lot of confidence in her, though, I was slightly concerned by the ground. But she's so good!" added the 70-year-old. Ribchester gave a further boost to the English 2000 Guineas form as he ran out an impressive winner, under Norway-born William Buick, of the opening Group Three Jersey Stakes. Portage, trained by Michael Halford for Godolphin, landed the Royal Hunt Cup giving Ireland its first win in the race for 50 years since Seamus McGrath won it with Continuation.
