Arthur is Ascot legend for Camelot

ArthurKitt (2c Camelot-Ceiling Kitty, by Red Clubs) brought a poignant Royal Ascot success for owner-breeder Andrew Black when winning the Listed Chesham Stakes on Saturday.

The Camelot colt's dam Ceiling Kitty, who won the G2 Queen Mary Stakes in 2012, had died giving birth to Arthur Kitt.

"This means a whole lot to all of us - the stable, the staff, Andrew obviously, to Richard (Kingscote) and to Chasemore Farm," said trainer Tom Dascombe. "We loved the mare, she died giving birth to this horse. I've lost my voice screaming at him - halfway through the race I thought he was last! But he's just knuckled down and got on with it.

"We won't over race him now, he is still developing and growing, he's twice the horse he was, it's just magical.”

Arthur Kitt made strong headway towards the far-side rail in the closing stages and ran on strongly to deny the fast-finishing Nate The Great under Richard Kingscote.

Black, who breeds from his Chasemore Farm in Surrey, said: "This is the most special [victory]. I have more emotion attached to this horse than any other I have owned.

"The night he was born was such an incredibly difficult, painful night. I always hoped he would be special and we always thought this was the race, being by Camelot out of a speedy mare. I just thought we would win the Chesham and make it right somehow.

“He was much more friendly than your average horse. He would come over to you whereas the rest of them wouldn’t.”

It was the second win at this year’s Royal Ascot for Camelot, following the victory of Hunting Horn (3c Camelot-Mora Bai, by Indian Ridge) in the G3 Hampton Court Stakes for trainer Aidan O’Brien.