“Back From Injury”: As the Year Draws to a Close, Horse Racing World Gets a Glimpse of 2023’s ‘Unforgettable Moment’

The horse racing industry is no stranger to surprises and disappointments on the ground. Favorites pointing to one and the victory to another, an injury denying further races, or a comeback too strong to overlook, all and more form an exciting environment. Following along, for Mark at Ascot Racecourse, one of these moments stood out to be an unforgettable race for the 2023 season.

The Ascot Royal is known to host some of Britain’s most valuable race meetings. As suggested by Mark, one of these races at Royal Ascot stood worthy of the title and a moment memorable for the industry. 7 horses and a return to grounds ensured to bring a joyful spirit to the community.

Horse racing season’s unforgettable moment

The Ascot Racecourse recently took to X to present a series of ‘Ascot Moments’ with officials reflecting on an occurrence. Following along, the most recent of the posts questioned about an ‘unforgettable moment from 2023’. The official in the frame, Mark, spoke about this year’s grade 2 Hardwicke Stakes winner. “My highlight of the year was Pyledriver winning the Hardwicke Stakes after coming back after injury. Seeing the joy on  P J McDonald’s face and the joy on the trainer William Muir. Absolutely brilliant,” Mark reminisced.

“This was certainly an unforgettable moment from 2023,” Ascot racecourse agreed, for Pyledriver had a comeback after an eleven-month break. In 2022, the 6-year-old had suffered a soft tissue injury during training. The incident initially pushed him out of  Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and eventually out from racing until June 2023. However, the comeback on the final day of Royal Ascot highlighted the equine’s excellent presence on the ground.

Back for a win

On the 24th of July, Pyledriver came back on the grounds, exactly 11 months off of one. The 2022 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes champion did not slow down with his first steps. Led by P J McDonald, the 6-year-old left behind West Wind Blows to clock the time at 2:29.60. Though an interference to Changingoftheguard by final furlong caused inquiry, the results ultimately reigned in favor for Pyledriver, 1 1/4 lengths ahead of placing.

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“I knew he was a class horse and I knew he would be competitive–he never knows when to chuck it in, but I did think match-fitness might catch us out,” trainer Willian Muir said all emotional. The 18-race starter was to take on King George next for a win but landed a fifth position. The race turned out to his last of the career. In October, he was announced to be standing as a National Hunt stallion at The Beeches Stud in Ireland.

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