Kingsgate Native lands his second Betfred Temple Stakes

Kingsgate Native wins the Betfred Temple Stakes from Swiss Spirit and Reckless Abanadon. Image courtesy of racingfotos.com.

Only one horse – Mind Games back in the mid-1990s – had ever won the Betfred Temple Stakes twice, but this afternoon Kingsgate Native joined him after a game and gutsy victory in the first race in the Sprint division of the QIPCO British Champions Series.

Trainer Robert Cowell saddled two in the race, the winner and Spirit Quartz, who finished fifth, and had not been keen to choose between them beforehand.

Today saw optimum conditions for Kingsgate Native, however, with quick ground and a fast pace set by Ballista and the previously unbeaten Reckless Abandon.

The eight-year-old Kingsgate Native, who had failed at stud a few years ago, showed great tenacity to hit the front and repel the late challenge of Swiss Spirit, who lost ground at the start, to win by a neck.

There was just a head back to Reckless Abandon, who was carrying a four pound penalty and ran a tremendous race in third.

Sole Power, who probably saw daylight too early – he is always better when held up off the pace until as late as possible – was a length and a half back in fourth.

With Royal Ascot in mind, Reckless Abandon is probably the horse to take out of this race as he will not have to concede four pounds to his rivals in the King’s Stand Stakes or Diamond Jubilee and he showed that he has tremendous potential as a sprinter this season.

Take nothing away from the winner, however.

In his youth he won the Diamond Jubilee and the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes for trainer John Best and then the Temple Stakes for his second trainer, Sir Michael Stoute.

Today he showed that he has lost none of that ability for his third trainer.

"It is really satisfying to see an eight-year-old win a race like this," said Cowell afterwards.

"He had an injury last season, so he didn’t really have a proper break, whereas this time he went to Cheveley Park and I’ve got to say he came back looking fantastic so I suppose that the real work was done there.

"He won big races for John, he won big races for Sir Michael, and I’m just pleased to have a horse of his calibre in the stable, but it is obviously exciting to see him win like that."