Kentucky-bred Valiant Force, always forwardly placed in the field of 16 runners under jockey Rossa Ryan, held on with determination to score an impressive victory in the Norfolk Stakes (G2) at Royal Ascot on Thursday, June 22. The win marked the initial Royal Ascot win for Kia Joorabchian’s Amo Racing, who co-owns the horse with Mrs. Rachel O’Callaghan and G. De Aguiar. It was also the first victory for Valiant Force, who previously had finished second in the First Flier Stakes at The Curragh in May and fifth in the Marble Hill Stakes (G3) last time out.

“He’s bred well, he’s bred to be a sprinter, and he’s something else to look at,” Rossa Ryan said of Valiant Force on ITV Racing. “He jumped well, did everything right. When I took the lead inside the two I was always in a rhythm and I probably could have won further if someone had come at me with a run, but he got the job done.”

Bred in Kentucky by Ramon Horta Rangel and Spendthrift Farm, Valiant Force has been through the auction ring twice, most recently at the 2022 Keeneland September Sale where he sold for $100,000 out of the Eaton Sales consignment. Prior to that, he was sold for $75,000 at the 2021 Keeneland November Sale.

Valiant Force is a son of Malibu Moon out of the Quality Road mare Vigui’s Heart. With the valiant victory, Valiant Force earned a berth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1) in November as the Norfolk Stakes is a Breeders’ Cup Challenge race.