Eve Johnson Houghton celebrated her second Listed Windsor Castle Stakes success after Havana Hurricane delivered an irresistible late surge under Charlie Bishop.

Runner-up in the Woodcote Stakes last time out, the drop back to five furlongs proved ideal as he powered home to beat Dickensian (20/1) by a length and a half. Azizam (7/1) was involved in a dead-heat for third with Rogue Legend (4/1).

An eye-catching debut winner at Goodwood, Havana Hurricane follows in the footsteps of another son of Havana Gold, Chipotle, who won this race for the same trainer-jockey combination in 2021.

Johnson Houghton said: “I said to the owners, win lose or draw, he cost you 9,000 guineas. You have made more than that already and you’re here to play. We have had a great day, but I think Havana Hurricane is pretty special. He won really easily.

“Tom [Clemmit, groom] is in charge of the bottom yard, which is where all the two-year-old colts are, and he does this horse and has done a great job with him. The horse is pretty laidback, pretty easy, but my staff do a great job and they’ve done a great job with him.

“Charlie got slated for his ride at Epsom, unfairly, and he gave him an absolute corker; he waited and was incredibly patient. I could not be more proud of my jockey.”

Bishop said: “Havana Hurricane is a lovely horse. He did not stay six furlongs at Epsom. I was very confident coming here today, which is a very strange thing to say coming to Ascot.  

“He is a smart horse and quickened up very well. I felt he was the best horse in the race at Epsom and, if he had got home, he would have won. With a stiff five here, the race was made for him. You’ve got to get a bit of luck in running, and I did.

“Eve is magic to ride for. She has a lot of trust in me and leaves me to ride on feel. I can’t thank her enough – three Royal Ascot winners. One is the sort of thing you dream of, so to have three is incredible. I have waited a few years for this one.

“Eve is magic at buying these horses and training them. She does all the hard work, while I just do the steering. It is a lovely job to have. That one is for Fulke [Johnson Houghton]. He was amazing to all of us and this one is for him.”

Kevin Ryan, trainer of Dickensian, said: “He ran great, travelled very strongly. He won very well first time out, then I brought him down here – I wanted to get more experience into him, then when I saw him in the parade ring [that day] I thought, ‘You’re just starting to grow a little bit’. He carried a penalty there and ran a real credible race. He’s a very, very good horse. We will wait now until Goodwood for the Molecomb. I’ve just spoken to Sheikh Mohammed Obaid, and he’s in agreement. Give him time now, and that fast track will really suit him.”

6.10pm Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed)

1 Havana Hurricane (J Allison & T Cartwright) Eve Johnson Houghton 2-9-05 Charlie Bishop 7/1

2 Dickensian (Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum) Kevin Ryan 2-9-05 Shane Gray 20/1

3 Azizam (Black Type, Harrell, Adkisson, Atkinson) Karl Burke 2-9-05 Sam James 7/1

3 Rogue Legend (Resolute Racing) Paddy Twomey IRE 2-9-05 Billy Lee 4/1

23 ran            7/2F Old Is Gold (8th)

Eve Johnson Houghton – 3rd Royal Ascot winner

Charlie Bishop – 3rd Royal Ascot winner