The St. James's Palace Stakes (G1) was first run in 1834, named after the Tudor royal residence. Eight 3-year-old colts raced over the "old mile" (around the turn) for a purse of £250,000 (about $497,000 US). 8-1 shot Excellent Art completed an Aidan O'Brien sweep of the top three places, as he rallied from well off the pace to take over the lead at the 1/16 pole to win by a neck over 11-1 stablemate Duke of Marmalade, in 1:39.33. It was a long 1 1/4 lengths back to 14-1 Astronomer Royal in third. Even-money favorite Cockney Rebel was held up at the rear, but bore out in the final furlong, fading to a fifth place finish.
Winning trainer Aidan O'Brien said, "We've always thought they were three very good colts, and when they're that good it's very hard to know what's between them as they don't work together." Owner John Magnier added, "This is quite a training performance. Aidan fancied all three, that's why he ran them. They could have all finished at the front, or the back!"
Olivier Peslier, aboard beaten favorite Cockney Rebel, said, "I made my move at exactly the same moment as the winner and I thought that was it, but once we were out in the clear he started to hang left and there was nothing I was able to do to keep him straight."
