Charyn gave favorite backers a strong start at Royal Ascot with a determined win over Docklands in the Queen Anne Stakes. This is a Breeders' Cup challenge series race gaining direct entry to the Del Mar showpiece's Fanduel mile event.

Starting at 100-30, Silvestre de Sousa kept Charyn in a prominent spot in a group near the stands' side. He made his move two furlongs from the finish, staying on strongly to fend off Docklands, with Maljoom finishing third.

This victory marks the first Group 1 win for Nurlan Bizakov's colt, following a promising second place in the Lockinge Stakes last month.

It's also the second top-level win this year for De Sousa and trainer Roger Varian, who previously saw success with the unexpected 1,000 Guineas winner Elmalka in May.

De Sousa expressed his delight to ITV: "Wow, it's amazing. Roger had a lot of belief in this horse and so did I. What I did there was very little, I just sat there and waited for the right moment but he won quite nicely. He's such a gentleman and you just have to ask him the question."

This win is a significant comeback for the three-time champion jockey, who recently returned from a 10-month suspension for a betting charge while riding in Hong Kong.