Goliath turns giant killer in King George shock
France celebrated a first winner in Ascot’s King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Gr 1, 1m 4f) since Hurricane Run’s (Montjeu) success in 2006 when the Francis Graffard-trained Goliath (Adlerflug) proved far too good for his rivals in Saturday’s feature.
Despite having a steadily progressive profile, which included a Group 3 success and last-start second in the previous month’s Hardwicke Stakes (Gr 2, 1m 4f) at Royal Ascot, the gelded four-year-old was sent off a 25-1 chance in Saturday’s nine-runner field as he stepped up to Group 1 class for the first time.
Ridden with supreme confidence by Christophe Soumillon, Goliath travelled well rounding the home bend and, switched out with two furlongs left to run, scooted clear inside the final furlong to come home a most comfortable winner, beating last-start Pretty Polly Stakes (Gr 1, 1m 2f) heroine Bluestocking (Camelot) by two and a quarter lengths.
Rebel’s Romance (Dubawi), a five-time winner in Group 1 company in his career, but yet to win at above Group 3 level in the UK, ran third, beaten five and a half lengths by the authoritative winner.
While the winner’s starting price may have led many to think he was in with little hope, Garffard went into the race full of confidence.
“I knew my horse, with a good pace, he would be able to quicken,” the winning trainer said. “We came here hoping to find a strong pace.
“When I saw he was 25-1 I thought nobody believes in him but he travelled so nicely and when he was racing like that I knew he was able to quicken strongly.
“We organised the spring towards this race and I am happy it worked. Now we can sit down and see where we go next.
“When you come and you are 25-1 you feel like you might look like a fool and you don’t want that as you feel you know what you are doing. It is more pleasure when you win like that, and I think some punters will be happy with me today.
“These are prestigious races and this is why I do this job, to be competitive in these types of races. He is a horse we all like.”
Favourite Auguste Rodin (Deep Impact) weakened in the closing stages to finish fifth, two places in front of dual Sydney Group 1 winner Dubai Honour (Pride Of Dubai) who, like Middle Earth (Roaring Lion), who is part-owned by Ciaron Maher, was never able to get competitive.