Nathaniel victorious in King George

Nathaniel’s connections after receiving their trophies from Prince Harry following the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (sponsored by Betfair). Image courtesy of racingfotos.com.

Nathaniel struck a blow for the three-year-old generation when winning the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (sponsored by Betfair), the fifth leg of the QIPCO British Champions Series Middle Distance division, from last year’s Investec Derby and Arc hero, Workforce.

Nathaniel’s owner, Lady Rothschild, had to pay £75,000 to supplement him for the race at the start of the week, a decision on the part of the colt’s trainer, John Gosden, that paid off handsomely.

The race was marred, however, by the fall of lasy month’s Prince of Wales’s Stakes winner, Rewilding, who was making his move from the back of the field when he broke his leg, hurling his jockey, Frankie Dettori, on to the turf.

There was sadly no option but to put Rewilding down. Frankie Dettori returned unscathed.

Debussy, restrained early, took up the running from Nathaniel after two furlongs. It was a modest tempo, however, and Nathaniel was in the right place in second to strike for home with over two furlongs to run.

Workforce had settled in third and mounted his challenge at the same time, but he drifted badly left under pressure, costing him any chance of victory. He was beaten 2 ¾ lengths at the line.

St Nicholas Abbey was also held up towards the back and could never get on terms once the race began in earnest in the home straight.

Winning trainer, John Gosden, was one of the first to reach the ill-fated Rewilding: "I attended the horse with the lad. He just put his leg down wrong and the cannon-bone snapped clean in two.

"I’ve seen it happen with a horse galloping in a paddock and they feel nothing. The vet was on hand as we gave the horse a final munch of grass and he dealt with it immediately.”

Of Nathaniel, who is now bound for the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on 2 October, he said: "It was an intelligent ride by William (Buick), and I left it completely up to him how to ride the race.

"This horse is getting better and better, and showed it today. My inclination is to take him straight for the Arc, with perhaps a racecourse gallop beforehand.”

Winning jockey William Buick said: "I would like to say how sorry I am for Rewilding and his connections. It’s never nice to see that happen.

"My fellow jumped in front and Ahmed Ajtebi obviously didn’t want to make the running so I let my horse stride along.

"It wasn’t ideal, but eventually I did get a lead off him and then I took it up turning in and this horse is getting better and better. Today he showed how good he is.

"I always knew he was a very good horse, but I didn’t know he was going to be as good as this.

"I could see Workforce in the corner of my eye and obviously you’ve got to have a lot of respect for a horse like him. But Nathaniel was not stopping and he galloped all the way to the line.

"It’s fantastic to win a King George. I remember coming along with my father (former jockey Walter Buick) to see this race. Now I’m here winning the King George and it’s just a dream come true.”