RACEGOERS’ favourite Frankie Dettori started the week with a treble, but it was his great rival Ryan Moore who came with a late run to snatch the glory at Royal Ascot, writes Dave Wright.

He rode a double on the final day, Saturday, to take the meeting’s leading jockey award.

Moore enjoyed a short-head victory aboard Merchant Navy in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes and also partnered Crystal Ocean to success in the Hardwicke Stakes.

That left him on a tally of five winners for the week, one more than Dettori who drew a blank on the fifth day.

Winning the title for the eighth time in nine seasons, Moore has now ridden 53 Royal Ascot winners.

Aidan O’Brien, the trainer of Merchant Navy, was crowned the leading trainer for the ninth time after saddling four winners.

Newmarket trainer John Gosden also had four winners, but the Ballydoyle handler had one more second place than Gosden, thereby claiming the award on countback.

O’Brien now has 65 winners at the Royal meeting in total.

After being presented with the award, O’Brien said: “We had plenty of races that we didn’t win, but we were privileged and delighted to win a few.

“It’s competitive racing at Royal Ascot. No matter what race you run a horse in, it is always tough to win and very competitive, but that’s what makes it special.

“Don’t be under any illusions, this is very tough racing.”

Sir Michael Stoute, who saddled Crystal Ocean, had earlier in the week taken his career total to 50 Royal Ascot winners.

Following another stellar success, Ascot chief executive Guy Henderson Henderson said: “We’ve had a fantastic week. Aidan O’Brien, Ryan Moore and Coolmore (leading owner) had to fight hard for their awards this year, but were very worthy winners in the end.

“We’ve seen some tremendous racing with standout performances and a real spread of success across countries and connections.”

He added: “I’d like to thank everybody that brings this event together. Owners, trainers, stable staff, our own staff, partners and everyone who works so hard on site to bring the event to life.”

Blessed by sunny weather all week, the total attendance was 301,818, compared to 293,791 last year.

The biggest crowd came on Saturday with 74,417, followed by 70,046 who witnessed the Gold Cup last Thursday which saw Dettori ride John Gosden’s Stradivarius to a famous victory, with the Queen making the presentations to the winning connections.