Five happy returns for birthday boy John Gosden

John Gosden celebrates Kingman’s 2014 QIPCO Sussex Stakes success at Glorious Goodwood. Image courtesy of Racingfotos.com.

Champion trainer John Gosden is 65 today. To celebrate, here are five golden moments he has enjoyed in the QIPCO British Champions Series.

NATHANIEL

2011 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes

The son of Galileo had announced himself as a rising force when romping home in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot the previous month and was supplemented at a cost of £75,000. He vindicated that decision in tremendous style by becoming the first three-year-old to win the race in eight years, running on strongly to put Workforce,  the Derby and Arc hero, and St Nicholas Abbey in their place. 

THE FUGUE

2012 Markel Insurance Nassau Stakes

Few will recall that Gosden also saddled Izzi Top in the Goodwood feature. She was seeking a fifth successive victory and was sent off 7-4 favourite under William Buick. However, it was “second string” The Fugue, ridden by Richard Hughes. who proved far superior, producing a great burst of acceleration to beat the Sir Henry Cecil-trained Timepiece by a length, with Was, the Oaks winner, back in third. The Fugue was avenging a luckless run in that Epsom Classic and went on to win three more races at the highest level.

TAGHROODA

2014 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes

Taghrooda had won the Oaks in impressive style on her previous start but history was against her as no British-trained three-year-old filly had won the King George in its 63-year history. Telescope was preferred to her in the betting but Taghrooda beat him handsomely by three lengths, with Mukhadram and Eagle Top filling the minor placings. Taghrooda surprisingly lost her unbeaten record on her next start before finishing a fine third to Treve in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on her final start.

KINGMAN

2014 QIPCO Sussex Stakes

The race developed, as expected, into a match between Kingman and Toronado. A pedestrian gallop meant that it turned into a sprint and Toronado, winner of the race the year before, got first run.  That looked like it might be decisive until Kingman clicked into turbo and zoomed past him to win by a length. The outstanding miler won the Prix Jacques le Marois three weeks later, having previously landed the Irish 2000 Guineas and St James’s Palace Stakes.

GOLDEN HORN/JACK HOBBS

2015 Investec Derby

Most people expected Golden Horn to win the Derby – if he got the trip. It was a big question for a horse bred to be at his best over about ten furlongs but he answered it in brilliant fashion, quickening up smartly under Frankie Dettori and running all the way to the line to beat Jack Hobbs, his stablemate, the subsequent runaway Irish Derby, by three and a half lengths. Further wins in the Coral-Eclipse, Irish Champion Stakes and Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe followed.