French shipper Goliath delivered by far the best performance of his career to stun Saturday’s King George VI & Queen Elizabeth (G1) at Ascot as a 25-1 longshot, booking his ticket to the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1). The past two Turf winners, Rebel’s Romance and favorite Auguste Rodin, were among those left toiling in his wake in third and fifth, respectively.
A homebred for Germany’s famed Gestut Schlenderhan, Goliath was a well-beaten second at 18-1 in the Hardwicke (G2) at Royal Ascot last out. Trainer Francis-Henri Graffard cited the lack of pace in that course-and-distance prep, and hoped for a better race dynamic here. Ballydoyle pacemaker Hans Andersen, intended to assist stablemate Auguste Rodin, ended up helping the opposition more.
When Hans Andersen missed the break, fellow Aidan O’Brien trainee Luxembourg briefly found himself in the lead. Hans Andersen then scrambled to take up his front-running role, but it probably didn’t go according to plan.
With Luxembourg closely tracking, and Auguste Rodin perched in fourth, Hans Andersen ratcheted up the tempo in the middle of the race, according to the sectional data. By injecting arguably more pace than desirable at that juncture, he did his comrades no favors. Godolphin’s globetrotter Rebel’s Romance was similarly affected by the pacemaker’s gambit, as he was stalking in a close third.
Hans Andersen was already done before entering the final turn, leaving Luxembourg to pick up the baton earlier than ideal. Luxembourg was a spent force himself by the top of the stretch, when Rebel’s Romance collared him. Auguste Rodin offered a short-lived bid on the inside, but the favorite wasn’t moving with much alacrity.
In contrast, Goliath was absolutely breezing into contention. Ridden for the first time by Christophe Soumillon, the lightly-raced gelding had settled well in midpack on the outside, and he cruised up full of run when the principals were all wilting. Also rallying was Juddmonte filly Bluestocking, who had been anchored in last early. But she was working harder than the smooth-traveling Goliath.
Once Soumillon asked him to deliver the coup de grace, Goliath’s response was instantaneous. The son of outstanding German sire Adlerflug rapidly opened up, giving the showman Soumillon plenty of time to play to the crowd. Easing home 2 1/4 lengths clear of Bluestocking, Goliath negotiated 1 1/2 miles on the good-to-firm course in 2:27.43.
Rebel’s Romance deserves extra credit for staying on best of those who raced prominently. Although he tired to third, another 3 1/4 lengths adrift of Bluestocking, Rebel’s Romance had 4 3/4 lengths to spare over fourth-placer Sunway. Auguste Rodin disappointed in this race for the second straight year, flickering out in fifth. Luxembourg folded to sixth, trailed by Dubai Honour and the tailed-off pair of Middle Earth and Hans Andersen.
Baron Philip von Ullman’s Goliath now sports a mark of 9-5-2-0. Gelded at two, the bay began his racing career as a sophomore and won his first three starts, all at about 1 1/2 miles. He climbed the class ladder quickly, completing his hat trick in the Grand Prix de Clairefontaine almost exactly a year ago. Goliath wound up fourth in his only ensuing start of 2023, the Prix du Prince d’Orange (G3), on the cutback to about 1 1/4 miles.
Runner-up in his comeback in the April 14 Prix Lord Seymour, Goliath went wire to wire to earn his Group laurel in the May 5 Prix d’Hedouville (G3). He raised his sights for the June 2 Grand Prix de Chantilly (G2), where he stayed on for fourth behind Junko over heavy going. Goliath’s Royal Ascot venture was promising, if not advertising his ability to win the King George with such authority. The horse who beat him so soundly in the Hardwicke, Isle of Jura, was unfortunately sidelined by injury, prompting a what-might-have been for his connections.
Yet Goliath took a gigantic step forward here, making previous form comparisons questionable. He became the first French raider to plunder the King George since Hurricane Run (2006), who was also piloted by Soumillon. As an upwardly-mobile type now proven on a quick surface, Goliath would be a fascinating player if he takes up the Turf offer at Del Mar. He is not currently Breeders’ Cup nominated, but can be made eligible.
Goliath isn’t the only progressive gelding in Graffard’s yard. His three-year-old Calandagan, a spectacular winner of the King Edward VII (G2) at Royal Ascot, is expected to clash with City of Troy in the Aug. 21 Juddmonte International (G1).
Out of the stakes-winning Shamardal mare Gouache, Goliath descends from Group 1 star Guadalupe, a full sister to multiple Group 1-winning highweight Getaway. Guadalupe is herself the dam of Group 1 scorers Guignol and Guiliani.
