Popular Arod wins his third Stakes race

Seven-year-old Arod showed a terrific attitude when making all in the Listed Royal Windsor Stakes at Windsor on Monday.

Can you name the horse that in recent years finished in the first four in the Epsom Derby and later ran in the July Cup? The answer is Arod, and the thoroughly admirable entire won his first race since 2015 when leading from pillar to post in the Weatherbys Racing Bank Supporting Mental Health Foundation Stakes (Royal Windsor) under a cracking ride from Oisin Murphy.

Arod has raced in four different countries, for three different trainers, and he made just his third start for David Simcock (pictured) a winning one on Monday evening. He appreciated the return to a mile and really stuck his head down when asked to battle in the final furlong, challenged hard by favourite Oh This Is Us.

Arod, who'd broken his maiden at Windsor back in 2014 and also won the Gr. 3 Diomed Stakes at Epsom and Gr. 2 Summer Mile at Ascot, has plenty of options open to him. His attitude will give him every chance of winning more races.

Also in the Royal Windsor Stakes was Arod's stablemate Mr Owen, who ran up to his best form in fourth, carrying a 3 lb penalty.