Former Highfield and Brookham student denied Royal Ascot glory

A former Liphook schoolboy was denied a second career Royal Ascot winner by the stewards last Friday.

Trainer Archie Watson, who studied at Highfield and Brookham Schools from 1997 to 2002, looked to have added to his 2018 success when Dragon Symbol won a thrilling duel with American raider Campanelle in the six-furlong Group 1 Commonwealth Cup.

But Watson, who trains at Saxon Gate in Upper Lambourn, Berkshire, saw joy turn to agony after a stewards’ enquiry as jockey Oisin Murphy was adjudged to have impeded the Frankie Dettori-ridden Campanelle inside the final furlong and the placings were reversed.

Watson, who took out a licence to train in 2016 after a successful spell as assistant to William Haggas in Newmarket, was also denied Group 1 glory 24 hours later when brave sprinter Gala Shiel was beaten a length into second place by Dream of Dreams in the six-furlong Diamond Jubilee Stakes.

Highfield School Headmaster Phillip Evitt said: “We pride ourselves on the wide range of careers that our pupils embark upon once they have finished their schooling, and to see Archie Watson rubbing shoulders with the very best at Royal Ascot is tremendous. I’m confident that that second winner at the royal meeting, and many more besides, is not far away and we all wish Archie the very best in his career.”