Christophe Soumillon delivered Goliath to perfection within the July 27 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) at Ascot Racecourse, changing into the primary French-trained winner of the distinguished group 1 since 2006.
Presumed pacemaker Hans Andersen was barely slowly away however was pushed ahead to undertake a front-running place, with stablemates Luxembourg and 7-4 favourite Auguste Rodin sat behind him.
As Hans Andersen light away, Luxembourg took it up rounding the bend, tracked by the favourite and Insurgent’s Romance , whereas Goliath, despatched off an unconsidered 25-1 shot, cruised into competition below Soumillon.
The entrance three got here below strain, with Auguste Rodin struggling to maintain tabs on the primary two, however Soumillon sat nonetheless on Goliath earlier than cruising to the entrance and kicking clear for a shock 2 1/4-length success from the staying-on Bluestocking , who made up loads of floor from the again.
Insurgent’s Romance confirmed was 3 1/4 lengths behind the runner-up. Auguste Rodin disenchanted his backers by fading to a distant fifth. Join BloodHorse Every day
Soumillon received the King George for a second time aboard Philip Baron Von Ullmann’s Goliath, having first been on board when Hurricane Run took this race for Andre Fabre in 2006.
“The win again on the highest stage is at all times nice, particularly to journey for Francis (Graffard, coach) and his complete staff,” Soumillon mentioned.
“And these colours, they’ve been nice in my profession. I am nonetheless within the sport, and let’s hope he may give me some alternatives to nonetheless win some large races.”
Graffard saddled Erupt to complete fifth within the 2016 race and was overjoyed with the high-profile success in Britain’s midsummer spotlight.
He mentioned: “I like successful like this. I do know my horse, with an excellent tempo, might quicken like this. We got here to Ascot to discover a robust tempo, and nonetheless at Royal Ascot he was too eager; so I used to be actually hoping for some tempo right here.
“However to be honest after I noticed the 25-1 I used to be like ‘Oh my God, no person believes in him’. He traveled so properly, although, and when he was like that, I knew he’d have the ability to quicken strongly.”
The King George served as a Breeders’ Cup Problem Collection occasion, and Goliath’s success gives him with an automated, fees-paid berth within the Nov. 2 Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1T) at Del Mar. Auguste Rodin captured the Breeders’ Cup Turf final yr, and Insurgent’s Romance received the 2022 version.
Goliath secures his spot within the @LonginesEq #BreedersCup Turf with victory within the #WinAndYoureIn King George VI & Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes!Jockey: Christophe Soumillon Coach: Francis Henri GraffardOwner: Baron Philip Von UllmannBreeder: Gestut Schlenderhan pic.twitter.com/2LTbAOLSU5— Breeders’ Cup (@BreedersCup) July 27, 2024
