- Venetian Sun, the heavily backed favourite, secured her second Royal Ascot triumph by winning the Commonwealth Cup, fending off a late challenge from 50-1 outsider Spicy Marg.
- The victory marked an emotional return to the winner's enclosure for jockey Clifford Lee, who made a remarkable comeback after suffering a career-threatening motorbike accident last year, breaking his C1 vertebra.
- The Karl Burke-trained three-year-old filly, an 11-8 market leader, took command a furlong from the finish, holding off Michael Bell’s long-shot Spicy Marg by a mere head, adding to her Albany Stakes success from the previous year.
- Jockey Clifford Lee expressed his gratitude, stating he felt stronger and better after five and a half months of recovery, and confirmed that Venetian Sun is definitively a sprinter, now unbeaten at six furlongs.
- Trainer Michael Bell, whose horse Spicy Marg finished a valiant second, admitted to a fleeting moment of hope and is now considering supplementing his runner for the prestigious July Cup, following the unexpected strong performance.
IN FULL
