The race of the season in Britain features a star-studded field headed by Epsom principals Auguste Rodin and King Of Steel – and it’s also the latest leg of the Breeders’ Cup ‘Win and You’re In’ Challenge series, offering a fees-paid berth in the Turf at Santa Anita on November 4.
The mouth-watering prospect of the last three Epsom Derby winners all meeting here has sadly failed to materialise, yet this still looks among the deepest renewals of Ascot’s King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes in recent memory.
While neither Adayar (retired on Friday) nor Desert Crown (ruled out with leg infection) will run in Saturday’s £1.25m contest, the most recent Derby winner Auguste Rodin stands his ground, along with the Epsom runner-up King Of Steel, who many believe can reverse the placings.
For while Auguste Rodin has since gone on to win the Irish Derby, he was unimpressive there, whereas King Of Steel, a monster of a colt who was making a delayed reappearance there, has gone on to win in style at Royal Ascot.
The UK’s premier all-aged middle-distance race and has also attracted last year’s shock winner Pyledriver, as well as Emily Upjohn and Westover – both top-level winners who failed to do themselves justice in that race – and Hukum, who beat Desert Crown in a G2 event at Sandown after nearly a year’s absence and will have the soft ground he enjoys so much. What a race!
The King George is part of the Breeders’ Cup ‘Win And You’re In’ Challenge, offering a fees-paid berth in the $4m Longines-sponsored Turf at Santa Anita on November 4. Highland Reel, who beat Flintshire and Found at Santa Anita in 2016, was the last horse to win both races the same year, following Daylami in 1999 and Conduit in 2009.
More recently three-time King George winner Enable was also a Breeders’ Cup Turf winner, in 2018, although that was the year when she missed much of the season and didn’t run at Ascot.
Key horses
Auguste Rodin (Aidan O’Brien/Ryan Moore) – among last year’s leading juveniles and has taken his form to another level in 2023 by completing Derby double; came late at Epsom to overhaul King Of Steel but much less impressive at The Curragh in a finish dominated by O’Brien-trained stablemates.
King Of Steel (Roger Varian/Kevin Stott) – delayed reappearance following issues at the start at York in May when 66-1 second to Auguste Rodin at Epsom (caught very late after going easily into the lead more than 2f out); impressed in G2 at Royal Ascot three weeks later; has raced just four times (only twice for this stable) and could well have further improvement in him.
Hukum (Owen Burrows/Jim Crowley) – G1 winner in Coronation Cup at Epsom last year (easily from Pyledriver) and beat Desert Crown over a distance short of his best in G2 over 1m2f at Sandown in May; missed Royal Ascot owing to fast ground and confidence in his chance here has been boosted considerably by recent heavy rain.
Emily Upjohn (John & Thady Gosden/Frankie Dettori) – rare blip in distinguished career here 12 months ago when pulling hard and finishing last; impressive in G1 on easy ground over C&D late last year and has looked even better since, impressing with her change of gear when beating Westover in Coronation Cup before going down fighting against outstanding 3yo Paddington in Coral-Eclipse.
Pyledriver (William Muir & Chris Grassick/PJ McDonald) – upset winner 12 months ago when scoring decisively from 2021 Arc winner Torquator Tasso and top international runner Mishriff (Westover and Emily Upjohn well below form); off course afterwards until Royal Ascot last month, when winning a strong-looking G2, despite wandering in front.
Westover (Ralph Beckett/Rob Hornby) – much too keen and beat only Emily Upjohn when favourite here 12 months ago, having followed his unlucky-in-running third to Desert Crown in the Epsom Derby with runaway success in the Irish equivalent; comprehensively outspeeded by Emily Upjohn in Coronation Cup at Epsom last month, but a G1 winner again in France since.
Shall we talk about it?
Ryan Moore, rider of Auguste Rodin: “He wasn't suited by a messy race [in the Irish Derby]. I ended up getting to the front early after us not going quick and then he was just waiting when he was in front. He's a lovely horse.”
Kevin Stott, rider of King Of Steel: “I wasn’t expecting him to handle the track at Epsom, so when he quickened instantly I was very impressed. When we then went to Ascot I was hoping we’d have gone more of a gallop, but he quickened very well considering how keen he had been. I think if they had gone more of a gallop he’d have won a bit further.”
Jim Crowley, rider of Hukum: “I’ve always raved about Hukum and it was great to get him back in the Brigadier Gerard, where it was a top performance to beat Desert Crown over the shorter trip. It’s the best King George on paper I’ve seen for a long, long time, but the horse is in great form and that’s all we can ask for.”
PJ McDonald, rider of Pyledriver: “He’s a proper, proper horse, and the bit of rain around won’t hurt, although he goes on any ground. It’s probably the best King George we’ve seen in a long time, but he’s tough and he’ll battle. He’s been in the trenches before and I’ll make it as tough as I can for the rest of them. I’m looking forward to being part of it again, and I’m very excited.”
Graham Dench’s verdict
Although this is the most open King George in years, the prospect of unusually soft ground for this time of year following heavy rain last weekend and again on Wednesday night will suit some more than others. One who will revel in conditions is Baaeed’s half-brother HUKUM, a seasoned pro who was a wide-margin winner over course and distance the last time he ran on soft ground and beat last year’s King George winner Pyledriver readily at Epsom last summer. Auguste Rodin and King Of Steel both had soft-ground form at two, but it might not be ideal for them. Emily Upjohn handled ease in the ground over course and distance last October, but that was not against opposition of this calibre. Nevertheless, they all merit considerable respect.
• Visit the Breeders’ Cup website and the Breeders’ Cup Challenge web page
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