Morale-boosting victory for heroes

Richard Fahey also had every reason to be overjoyed. The victory reaffirmed his transition from Yorkshire trainer to one of the country's winning-most handlers.

But their delight was overshadowed by the emotions being felt by the two-year-old sprinter's owners, Mike and Lindsey Wynne, as they entered the hallowed winners' enclosure following the dramatic Windsor Castle Stakes.

They chose to name the horse in honour of all those Royal Marines – including their son – who are currently deployed to Helmand Province in Afghanistan and incurring sustained losses as the Taliban resistance intensifies.

He departed for war shortly before Marine Commando's impressive winning debut at Carlisle, a victory that catapulted the two-year-old into Ascot contention.

"When we bought the horse, we decided to honour every Royal Marine – our son would not like to be singled out," said Wynne, a finance director at an engineering firm.

"When you have a son out there, you are all too aware of the dangers – you want things to take your mind off the fighting, but you also want to show your support. He's been on other tours of duty, but it's particularly tough out there right now.

"It's very hard for the parents, but the lads are there to do the job. We spoke to our son after Carlisle and then again after Royal Ascot; it sounds like it was a real morale-boost for them. They were all made up when we eventually spoke on the phone.

"Someone said that it was a shame that they couldn't have a bet – but I think they just want a bit of normality, never mind a bet."

The Wynne's currently have three horses in training with Malton-based Fahey after buying Marine Commando for a very modest 34,000 at the Doncaster Sales earlier this year.

They thought the horse was good – but they did not realise that he was an imminent Royal Ascot winner who is now likely to contest the top sprints at the likes of Glorious Goodwood and York's Ebor meeting.

"We've only just come back down to earth," said Wynne. "I can't tell you how good a day it was – it made the hiring of the top hat and tails all worthwhile. The prize money helped!

"He ran a little bit green, and then got stuck behind horses, before Paul switched him again.

"To get up and win 100 yards from the line, I just hope that there's more to come."

Hanagan certainly thinks so. The 29-year-old, who is involved in a terrific tussle with Derby and Oaks winning rider Ryan Moore for the jockeys' championship, told the Yorkshire Post before Royal Ascot that Marine Commando was his most likely winner – and so it proved.

In the saddle, he was also the personification of coolness – he did not panic when Marine Commando's path was blocked; the kind of split-second decision that soldiers have to take in Afghanistan.

As Ian Mongan asked Excello to go clear of his rivals with about a furlong to race, Hanagan spotted the move and immediately got to work on his charge.

An attritional battle ensued up the centre of the track while an eyecatching late run saw 20-1 shot Petronius Maximus, from the powerful Aidan O'Brien yard, finish second.

If a similar winning ride had been produced by one of the top Southern-based jockeys, the superlatives would have been endless.

But Hanagan and Fahey prefer to allow the results to speak for themselves – and Wynne is delighted that he is helping Hanagan to sustain his title challenge and become such a fine ambassador for Yorkshire racing.

"Paul's an absolutely lovely guy and a gentleman," added Wigan-based Wynne.

"You couldn't ask for a better jockey – and, hopefully, the whole of Flat racing will recognise that this summer.

"But, from our point of view, it's great to have a Royal Ascot winner – but the greater prize is for our son, and his friends, to return home safely at the end of their tour. That's more important than any horse race."

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