Goliath (Ger)

Multiple Group 1 winner Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) is now the highest rated filly or mare in the world at 127 on the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings, which were released on Thursday. A winner of the G1 Turnbull Stakes and G1 Cox Plate in October, she added the G1 Champions Stakes in November and is equal to G1 Derby/G1 International Stakes/G1 Eclipse winner City Of Troy (Justify). The highest rated horse in the world is Laurel River (Into Mischief) at 128. Next in the rankings are the...

Racing fans are now able to vote on the 2024 Cartier Racing Award nominees, with voting beginning at noon on Wednesday. Their votes make up 35% of the final total for each horse. Points earned in Pattern races (30%) and the opinions of a panel of racing journalists/handicappers (35%) make up the rest of the percentage needed to determine the recipients for each of the eight equine awards. The nominees are as follows: Cartier Horse of the Year Anmaat Bluestocking Charyn City Of Troy Economics Goliath Kyprios Notable Speech Rebel's...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Thursday's Observations features a full-sister to G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes hero Goliath (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}). 12.15 Halle, Mdn, €9,000, 2yo, 7 1/2fT Gestut Schlenderhan's GO FLYING (IRE) (Adlerflug {Ger}) is a homebred daughter of Listed Hoppegartener Stutenpreis victrix Gouache (Ger) (Shamardal) and thus a full-sister...

A truly international cast of 191 horses, among them 58 Group/Grade 1 winners, have been entered for the 2024 edition of the Longines Hong Kong International Races at Sha Tin on Dec. 8. Billed as the 'Turf World Championships', the races will offer record total prize-money of HK$126 million (£12,521,226/€15,043,683/$16,215,920). Group 1 riches will be offered for the following quartet of races:  the HK$40-million Longines Hong Kong Cup (2000m), HK$36-million Longines Hong Kong Mile (1600m), HK$26-million Longines Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) and HK$24-million Longines Hong Kong Vase (2400m). The locals...

Sunday's G2 Prix du Conseil de Paris at ParisLongchamp witnessed the return of the King George hero Goliath (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}--Gouache {Ger}, by Shamardal) and it was a case of plain sailing as he successfully prepped for the G1 Japan Cup. Always in cruise mode under Christophe Soumillon tracking the modest pace, the 6-5 favourite tanked his way to the front two out and was always holding Hamish (GB) (Motivator {GB}) comfortably at bay en route to a half-length success. "After the minor setback he had in September we had...

The dam of G1 King George hero Goliath (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) leads the Goffs November Breeding Stock Sale catalogue, which was released on Thursday. Set for Nov. 22-23, the sale features 348 lots and will begin at 10 a.m. each day. Previously, the dams of eight 2024 Group 1 winners--Porta Fortuna (Ire) (Caravaggio), Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), Khaadem (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), Scorthy Champ (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Lugal (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), New Century (GB) (Kameko), Whistlejacket (Ire) (No Nay Never), and Kalapour (Ire) (War Command) were sold in the...

Goliath (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) has been ruled out of Sunday's G1 Preis von Europa at Cologne due to a minor setback, it was announced on Thursday. Trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, Goliath has been off the track since his shock 25-1 victory in the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in July, with prominent American owner John Stewart subsequently purchasing a majority share in the four-year-old from Philip Baron von Ullmann. Goliath had been set for a rematch with King George third Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire})...

Goliath (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}), who won the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, has received a mark of 125, good for second in the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings. Leading the list is G1 Dubai World Cup hero Laurel River (Into Mischief) at 128, while G1 Derby and G1 Eclipse Stakes victor City Of Troy (Justify) and UAE and Hong Kong Group 1 winner Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) are both tied for third on a mark of 123. In a five-way tie for fifth, Group 1 winner...

A total of 227 entries have been received for the five Group contests scheduled to take place on QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot, it was announced on Tuesday. This is the largest number since 2018 and includes a record 56-strong entry for the G1 QIPCO Champion Stakes, the feature race on the card slated for Saturday, October 19. The 56 horses entered for the Champion Stakes have won 37 Group 1 races between them, with Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) boasting the most decorated CV as a six-time...

Virtually ignored ahead of Saturday's G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes, Philip Baron Von Ullmann's Goliath (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}--Gouache {Ger}, by Shamardal) had a sting in the tail for his revered fellow contenders as he dominated the Ascot feature. Only second in the course-and-distance G2 Hardwicke Stakes at the Royal meeting, the Francis-Henri Graffard-trained 4-year-old thrived off the strong pace set by the Ballydoyle contingent and was travelling notably powerfully under Christophe Soumillon straightening for home. Committed 1 1/2 furlongs out, the 25-1 shot bounded clear for...

Coolmore and Westerberg's dual Derby hero Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) heads a field of nine for Saturday's G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Qipco S. after final declarations were confirmed for Ascot's midsummer showpiece on Thursday morning. Aidan O'Brien trimmed his team from five to three for the GI Breeders' Cup Turf "Win and You're In", sidelining Continuous (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) and Point Lonsdale (Ire) (Australia {GB}), and will also saddle Hans Andersen (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}). Auguste Rodin, who has hit...

Aidan O'Brien is responsible for five of the 11 possible runners in Saturday's G1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes following Monday's confirmation stage, with Auguste Rodin (Ire) set to lead the Ballydoyle team into battle at Ascot as he tries to atone for his disappointing effort in the corresponding race 12 months ago. A four-time winner at the top level as a three-year-old when landing the Derby, Irish Derby, Irish Champion Stakes and Breeders' Cup Turf, Auguste Rodin ran one of his lesser races that season when...