Ascot 2015: Golden Horn clash is 'biggest test so far'
Last updated on .From the section Horse Racing
| Ascot, Saturday 25 July |
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| Follow coverage of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes live on BBC 5 Live on Saturday 25 July from 15:50 BST |
John Gosden, trainer of the unbeaten three-year-old Golden Horn, believes that the brilliant Derby winner's clash with older horses in Ascot's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes is "the whole essence" of what the high-summer championship race is all about.
The colt is seeking to build on his successes in the Dante Stakes and Eclipse Stakes as well as at Epsom. But as he attempts to make it six wins from six career starts, Gosden warns he faces "probably his biggest test so far".
Frankie Dettori will once again take the mount on the son of the stallion Cape Cross, owned by his breeder Anthony Oppenheimer.
Gosden, who is likely to also run Eagle Top and Romsdal, said: "Golden Horn's been fine since the Eclipse and even progressed physically - he's filled out.
"We always thought that he was a good, proper horse, but he just seems that much more streetwise - harder and tougher now."
However, he added: "These are proper older horses taking him on, four really smart ones. Don't rule the rest out, don't rule the Italian horse Dylan Mouth out."
Golden Horn will be the only member of the Classic-aged generation in a field of up to 10 runners. The field also includes the first three home in Royal Ascot's Hardwicke Stakes - Snow Sky, Eagle Top and Postponed - who are all four-year-olds.
Also due in the line-up is the highly talented Flintshire, runner-up to Treve in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Last year's runner-up Telescope misses the race following a setback.
Gosden is twice a King George winner with the three-year-olds Taghrooda in 2014 and Nathaniel (2011).
He said: "The clashing of the generations is the whole essence of what this race is all about. The race did go through a stage where it became one dimensional; it was only older horses and small fields.
"What grabs you is when the three-year-olds run too."
While the trainer is being characteristically diplomatic about Golden Horn's prospects of continuing the winning streak, others are being less so.
Luca Cumani, trainer of Postponed, described the race as "in theory, a foregone conclusion".
He added: "To me, Golden Horn should win and the rest of us are fighting it out for second."
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Considering horse racing is the second most publically attended sport in the UK I think the majority would disagree with you.
Golf, biomechincally, is arguably the most complex sport to play and F1 the most technical. I can only deduce that you either don't understand any of the sports you have listed or are a troll, hell bent on irritating people for a rise.
Which is it?
You of course quite right, I should just ignore the trolls. Nothing better than a day at the races. I'm trying like mad to get down to Ascot this weekend to see him. Coz I'm away for the Juddmonte and there is no way the missus will let me go to either Longchamp or Leopardstown, assuming he races at both! Gosden reckons the Oppenheimers will retire him end of season.
GH is a proper horse who reminds me of Sea the Stars in that both probably had 10 furlong pedigrees, but both saw out a mile and a half well. Racing against older horses will put the Classic from in perspective but I think GH will win and set up a mouthwatering clash with Treve at Longchamps.
So let me get this straight, you seem to be implying that if a sport is not an Olympic sport, then its not a proper sport? So, either rugby code is not a sport? cricket isn't a sport? Wow, I'm glad football is in the Olympics otherwise none of my favourite sports would be a sport, they'd just be hobbies and pastimes!
I must admit, Golden Horn kinda flew under my radar last year (probably coz he only raced once) However, the way he won the Dante told me all I needed to know and I knew we had something special here. I just hope and pray that he gets the going he wants in the Arc. Coz if he does race in the Arc with the right going, I don't see him losing. He could go down as one of the best.
All elementary of course, as he'll probably get retired at three, just like any other horse that looks like it'll be a superstar... Imagine if Frankel had been retired at 3.
In answer to your questions
1. Yes
2. No, Olympics is (Should totally be IMO) for amateurs.
Perhaps wumming and trolling should be added as Olympic sports as there is enough on these HYS boards.
Nijinsky lost twice,in the Champion stakes and the Arc,neither of his victors were Derby winners.
If they can move the Champion Stakes to Ascot why not?
on 22 Jul 2015 19:52
@7
Nijinsky lost twice,in the Champion stakes and the Arc,neither of his victors were Derby winners.
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His Arc conqueror, Sassafras, was the winner of the French Derby (Prix du Jockey Club).
If you have shopped at Tesco/Iceland regularly over the years you probably have.
In my opinion the best we have seen since Dancing brave.
Hope you get to Ascot John but without a doubt the ebor meeting at York is the highlight of the year and more realistic than Royal Ascot which is a bit up itself.The great Sea Pigeon,Sadly missed at York,(what a hitter he was)