3YOs Blasted in G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth

Tara Madgwick - Saturday July 23

The Group I King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (1m 4f)  at Ascot overnight was supposed to be a showcase for two outstanding 3YO’s in Westover and Emily Upjohn, but neither could land a punch against the big boys.

Victory went the way of 5YO Harbour Watch stallion stallion Pyledriver beating last year’s Arc winner Toraquator Tasso with Mishriff third.

Trained by William Muir and Chris Grassic, Pyledriver won  by nearly three lengths taking his overall record to seven wins from 18 starts.

Advertisement

“I thought for the last two weeks he would win. I didn't care what was in the race. I know they say Westover  was fantastic in the Irish Derby and Emily Upjohn is terrific but I know Pyledriver is very, very good. He was showing all the signs at home. We feel sorry for Martin (Dwyer) - he told PJ exactly what to do today and it was brilliant,” said co-trainer William Muir.

He was the longest priced runner in the race, but his connections believed Pyledriver could win.

Also the winner of last year’s Group I Epsom Coronation Cup, Pyledriver is the best of 11 stakes-winners by Acclamation sire Harbour Watch, who shuttled to Australia for two seasons.

He is the best of three winners for La Pyle, a half-sister by Le Havre  to Group I winner Mont Ormel and Group III winner Normandel.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sale Cup Winner Adds to Fastnet Rock Super Weekend
It’s been quite the weekend for the late great champion sire Fastnet Rock with a Cox Plate quinella on Saturday and then on Sunday he produced a new stakes-winner when seven year-old gelding El Rocko captured the $200,000 Listed Sale Cup (1600m).
Wootton Bassett Colt Leads Coolmore G1 Trifecta
The last British Group I race of the flat season was run overnight at Doncaster with Aidan O’Brien producing a trifecta of two year-old colts led by a son of the late Wootton Bassett (GB) in Hawk Mountain, who was too good for a pair of Frankel colts.
Second Wootton Bassett Son Added to Coolmore Stallion Roster for 2026
Set to join Camille Pissarro as the second G1 winning son of Wootton Bassett on the stallion roster for Ireland in 2026 is Henri Matisse, who this time last year was about to claim his first G1 victory at the Breeders Cup meeting at Del Mar.
Doubtland 2YO All On Red Smashes Them Again at Ascot
Widden Stud's Doubtland has a potential 2YO topliner in Perth in the shape of exciting WA colt All On Red, who remains undefeated from two starts after another comprehensive Ascot Saturday win.
A Century of NZB National Yearling Sales Success: Cox Plate
Moonee Valley’s A$6m Group One WS Cox Plate (2040m) is known as the weight-for-age championship of Australasia and has been won by many of Australia and New Zealand’s greatest thoroughbreds.
Yes Yes Yes 3YO Shooting for G2 on Monday
Last year’s Gr.2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) set Savaglee up for Group One glory in Christchurch, and Matamata trainer Pam Gerard is hoping to follow a similar blueprint in 2025 with her Yes Yes Yes 3YO Affirmative Action..
Sires With Winners - Friday October 24
Here is the full list of 60 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Good News Week for Geisel Park
Geisel Park’s black-type mare Laced Up Heels is in foal off a maiden cover to Champion Australian Sire Zoustar and an orphan foal has found a new mum.
Transatlantic Takes $1million Five Diamonds Prelude
Transatlantic’s lucrative spring carnival continued at Randwick with an arrogant victory in the $1m Five Diamonds Prelude.
Sires With Winners - Saturday October 25
Here is the full list of 136 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.