‘we never lost faith’

This year’s Royal Ascot delivered on every level with extraordinary equines, blazing sunshine and buoyant crowds. This is what the sport is all about

One of the week’s big winners reaps an extra-special reward, another’s faith in their mount pays dividends, and a family’s breeding programme comes to the fore

A long-striding gelding nets a first grand prix win and a rider stages a winning comeback

A mighty stallion produces a coming-of-age grand prix performance under Anthony Condon and a teenager clears 7ft 3in to share the puissance spoils

A Glamourdale son makes an eye-catching first performance as his sire stars abroad, while one rider’s efforts reap rich rewards

A firm favourite makes good on his classmate’s prediction as he speeds to victory on his home-bred first-timer