THERE was a Royal Ascot success for racehorse trainer and former Royal Grammar School Worcester student Richard Spencer.

He claimed victory in the Group Two Coventry Stakes race on the Flat in Berkshire with an 11-1 shot.

Two-year-old Rajasinghe, trained in Newmarket by Spencer, broke the six-furlong track record that had been held for 10 years.

Spencer, originally from Wormington near Evesham, started his racing career as a stable lad with Peter Bowen in Pembrokeshire.

From there he went to Lambourn and became pupil assistant to Barry and Charlie Hills before moving to Newmarket as assistant to Michael Bell.

A fall when riding in a hunter chase at Warwick left Spencer with a broken back and time to reflect on his future.

He was approached by Phil Cunningham of Rebel Racing who was looking for a young trainer for his Albert House Stables in Newmarket.

Spencer said of his win: “Most people wait a lifetime for a Royal Ascot winner and I’ve got one in my second season.

"It’s a dream come true.”

He has enjoyed success this year previously with Keyser Soze (16-1) at Kempton and Rebel Surge (2-1) at Leicester.