German Bred Goliath Slays - Shock Winner of G1 King George

Tara Madgwick - Sunday July 28

The Group I King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (1m4f) produced a blow out result overnight with established stars Auguste Rodin and Dubai Honour out of the placings and a commanding victory taken by a German bred gelding named Goliath.

Epsom Derby and Breeders Cup winner Auguste Rodin can be either on or off, but was somewhere in between for this assignment finishing fifth with the Francis-Henri Graffard trained Goliath producing the best run of his career to storm clear and win by two and a quarter lengths over last start Group I winner Bluestocking.

Ridden by Christophe Soumillon, Goliath has made steady progress this year and was a last start second in the Group II Hardwicke Stakes, but was 25-1 and few saw him toppling the favourites.

“I couldn’t imagine taking the lead so easily on the bridle,” said Soumillon..

“It’s amazing to be able to enjoy and appreciate such a big win, 150 yards from the line.”

Advertisement

Goliath has the overall record of five wins and two seconds from nine starts with this victory his first in a Group I race,

“I know Goliath, with a good pace, could quicken like this. We came to Ascot to find a strong pace and still at Royal Ascot he was too keen, so I was really hoping for some pace here. But to be fair when I saw the 25-1 I was like 'Oh my God, nobody believes in him'. He travelled so nicely though and when he was like that, I knew he'd be able to quicken strongly,” said Francis Graffard.

The German bred and owned Goliath is by German Derby winner Adlerflug and is the best of two winners from stakes-winning Shamardal mare Gouache, a half-sister to Group II winner Guardini and grand-daughter of Group I winner Guadalupe.

He is the ninth Group I winner among 32 stakes-winners by Adlerflug, best known as the sire of Arc winner Torquator Tasso and is the 15th for Shamardal as a broodmare sire.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Tattersall’s Mile For The Inflictor - Under The Louvre’s Second SW
Third at Listed level before winning at Doomben, the Craig Cousins-trained The Inflictor (Under The Louvre) then tackled the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap, and while not in the same league as winner War Wachine (Harry Angel), the 4yo gelding showed his class on Saturday to win the Listed BRC Tattersall’s Mile (1600m) at Eagle Farm.
Cambridge Stud to Sell Entire Draft at Karaka 2026
Leading thoroughbred nursery Cambridge Stud have committed their full support for NZB’s 2026 National Yearling Sales Series, with the announcement they will be selling 100% of their yearling stock at Karaka. 
Vinery Stud Announce Adam White as Interim Manager
From the 1st of July, Vinery Stud is pleased to announce the appointment of Adam White as Interim General Manager, following the resignation of Peter Orton. A dedicated and long-standing member of the Vinery team, Adam brings a wealth of experience and an in-depth understanding of both the business and the industry to this pivotal role.
Unbeaten So You Think 3YO WA's New Excitement Machine
One month to the day since he first set foot on a racecourse, So You Think’s three year old son  Opportunistic remains undefeated from three starts, is a dual stakes winner with earnings of $200,250 to his name, and is WA's new rising star of the turf.
Corumbene Stud Homebred Tashi Wins G1 Tatts Tiara
From the last crop of foals sired by Widden Stud’s much missed Golden Slipper winning sire Sebring, five year-old mare Tashi may also be his final Group I winner as she produced a career best performance at Eagle Farm on Saturday to win the $700,000 Group I Tatts Tiara (1400m).
Miss Joelene Achieves Millionaire Status
This time last year, Miss Joelene was highlighting herself as one to watch for the future, having placed in the Group 2 The Roses and the Group 1 Queensland Oaks, and after a few runs behind the outstanding Antino (Redwood) this time in, a class drop on Saturday saw her record victory in the $200,000 Listed BRC Tattersall’s Gold Crown (2100m) at Eagle Farm.
Another Aussie SW Sourced from Aga Khan Studs
When Australian investors buy tried horses out of Europe from Aga Khan Studs they know they are getting quality, but the good ones don’t come cheap with Elamaz (IRE) sourced from their draft at the Arqana Arc Sale last year for €480,000.
Almanzor Stayer wins G3 Tattersalls Cup
It's been a long time since the  2022 Victoria Derby and some may have wondered whether the winner Manzoice was ever going to win again!
Sires With Winners - Friday June 27
Here is the full list of 48 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Better Than Ready’s Metalart Wins Group 3 W J Healy Stakes
Improving off a third in the Listed Lightning Handicap at Eagle Farm recently, 4yo Better Than Ready gelding Metalart stepped up to 1200m to record his first black type success, winning the Group 3 W J Healy Stakes.