James McDonald has celebrated another major win on the global stage, partnering Crimson Advocate to success in the Group 2 Duke Of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Having previously triumphed at the carnival in the Queen Mary Stakes as a juvenile, Crimson Advocate returned as a four-year-old with a point to prove after a less successful tilt at the King Charles III Stakes last season.

This time, the filly was tested over 1600m and responded with a career-best performance, showing sharp acceleration late to score under McDonald after a measured run behind the pace.

“Coming into it, the questions were whether she would relax well enough and if she ran a stiff mile, but she ticked all those boxes,” McDonald said.

“She relaxed and gave me a beautiful ride. She was fantastic. She was bubbling underneath me the whole way and, the further the race went, the more she actually gave me.”

McDonald praised her turn of foot, particularly when favourite Cinderella’s Dream made a move with 300m to go.

“She accelerated so quickly. She obviously has speed over five furlongs and, now she is stretching out over a mile, it bodes well for the future.”

Now with multiple Royal Ascot wins to his name, McDonald acknowledged the prestige of the occasion.

“It is really special to be here,” he added. “Royal Ascot is the most amazing carnival. Any opportunity to come to Royal Ascot, you take it with both hands, and it’s just a special place to be part of.”

The win adds to McDonald’s Ascot résumé, having previously taken out the Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes with Nature Strip in 2022.