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Taghrooda reigns at Ascot

Three-year-old filly storms to King George triumph for owner Shaikh Hamdan

Taghrooda produced a powerful late run under Paul Hanagan to land the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes. — AP file

Taghrooda produced a powerful late run under Paul Hanagan to land the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes (Group=1) for leading international horse breeder and owner Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, at Ascot on Saturday.

The John Gosden-trained, 7-2 shot became the first filly to win this race in more than 30 years and the second filly to combine the King George with the Oaks after Pawneese in 1976.

The three-year-old four times unbeaten filly overtook favourite Telescope (Ryan Moore) and stables’ companion Mukhadram (Dane O’Neil) in the home straight and stormed home unchallenged.

Taghrooda settled perfectly for Hanagan towards the rear, in company with her stablemate the supplemented Eagle Top, with their trainer John Gosden’s third runner in midfield with Magician.

The Coral-Elicpse winner Mukhadram was the first to strike for home but Ryan Moore almost immediately asked the favourite to go and pick him up which he did but he made hard work of getting past.

Hanagan said: “It’s such a buzz, something you never think would happen. I’m just so delighted for the whole team — a great job.

“They went hard and I didn’t plan to sit that far back, but you can only go as fast as you can and she adapted really well. If you take a look at her she’s hardly had a race — she’s so laid-back.”

Trainer John Gosden said: “It was a special performance and I’m very glad Shaikh Hamdan made the correct decision. I’m absolutely thrilled and it was a great ride. I couldn’t have been more pleased with her.”

Angus Gold, racing manager for Shaikh Hamdan, highlighted Taghrooda’s temperament as being a key attribute to her profile. He said: “She’s always shown us in her races that she’s an extra-talented filly, but you never know until you pitch them in at the deep end. She’s blessed with that wonderful attitude — nothing troubles her.”

It’s presumed that Taghrooda won’t receive the same amount of weight in the Arc from her older rivals, but she’s clearly progressing all the time and has vindicated her owner’s sporting decision to bypass the Irish Oaks.