Goodwood: England Sprint sensation Battash returns to defend his title in the Group 2 King George Stakes, a showcase for raw speed and the highlight of Day Four at this year’s Glorious Goodwood Festival.
Trained by Charlie Hills for renowned owner Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, the four-year-old son of Dark Angel won this in emphatic fashion 12 months ago and bids to repeat the feat.
On his most recent start Battash finished second to Godolphin’s Blue Point in the Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot and Hills will be keen to get his star sprinter back on track at the Chichester track.
Battash has matured into a solid athlete and looks to have genuine claims of landing the spoils in the hands of former British champion jockey, Jim Crowley, now a retained rider to Shaikh Hamdan.
The leading performers in the dash often go on to compete in the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes At York, and the last to win both races in the same year was Lochsong in 1993.
Battash faces 10 rivals including Muthmir, who also represents Shaikh Hamdan, and takes his chance for trainer William Haggas. He will be ridden by Dane O’Neill, who is also retrained by Shaikh Hamdan.
The biggest threat could come from the Tom Dascomb-trained Kachy, who looked particularly impressive when winning at Chester in May this year.
However, he has a lot to find on form having finished ninth of 14 in the King Stand, where he did not show much passion to race.
Meanwhile, one of flat racing’s most famous colours will be seen after a long time at Goodwood, but this time under the ownership of one of the sport’s youngest patrons.
Ace Godolphin rider, Williams Buick, will don the famous maroon silks of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, when he partners Glorious Journey in the Group 3 Thoroughbred Stakes.
However, the colours are now owned by Shaikh Mohammad’s daughter, Shaikha Al Jalila Bint Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who has become a familiar figure at major race meetings around the world.
Also in the line-up are two other horses with a Dubai connection, Threading, who is owned by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Ostilio, who represents Shaikh Mohammad Obaid Al Maktoum.
Glorious Journey won his maiden at Yarmouth but did not show much on his most appearance in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot.
