The King George – Trends and Analysis

Overview

The contest at Glorious Goodwood was established in 1911 to commemorate the coronation of the King George.

Battash is already the most successful horse in the race, winning the last three years.

Lester Piggott is the most winning jockey landing the spoils on no less than nine occasions – Right Boy (1958, 1959), Matatina (1964), Pugnacity (1965), Raffingora (1970), Constans (1971), Valeriga (1980), Tina’s Pet (1982), Anita’s Prince (1984).

The most successful trainers in the race are the late Newmarket trainer, Jack Jarvis, who also trained 2000 Guineas (x3), 1000 Guineas (x3), Derby (x2) and St Leger winners, and Irish trainer, Paddy Prendergast. who won 17 Irish classics. Both men trained four winners of the King George

High profile winners of the contest include Lochsong in 1993/1994, The Tatling 2003, Kingsgate Native 2009 and Battaash for the last three years. 

Shape of the Race

The oldest runner in the race, ORNATE, is likely to take the field along at breakneck speed in the early stages. The seven-year-old ran as recently as Tuesday in the Qatar Handicap, finishing sixth of the 11 runners beaten 5¼L. BATTAASH is likely to be close up with the Simon and Ed Crisford-trained, AL RAYA in company with LIBERTY BEACH, representing trainer John Quinn. Yorkshire raiders, DUBAI STATION for trainer, Karl Burke and the Kevin Ryan-trained GLASS SLIPPERS are expected to be held up for a late bid.

15-Year-Trends

The Last 15 winners (45 win/place positions)

44 (age up to nine)

SP up to 10/1 (32 SP up to 10/1)

Running within 16 and 45 days (42 running within 16 and 45 days)

14 Of The Last 15 Winners

First three in one of their last three starts (40)                                                                                                              

Analysis

There isn’t anything likely to get near BATTAASH as the Dark Angle gelding goes for his fourth King George in-a-row. The six-year-old currently has a rating of 126, 11lb ahead of the Kevin Ryan-trained, GLASS SLIPPERS who finished 5¾L adrift of the favourite at Royal Ascot in the Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes last month. The four-year-old beat Battaash back in October in the mud at Longchamp but looks up against it here with the favourite in scintillating form. The John Quinn-trained LIBERTY BEACH won a Listed contest at Haydock as racing resumed last month, but ran into the great Battaash at Royal Ascot, finishing third beaten 2¼L.