Goliath slays rivals in surprise win in King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot
French raider Goliath defies odds of 25-1 to win big race and £1.25m prize at Ascot
GIANTKILLER Goliath stunned the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes field with a breathtaking performance.
An unconsidered 25-1 shot, Francis-Henri Graffard's stayer had a mountain to climb on official figures for Ascot's £1.25million showpiece.
The gelding went into his first Group One as an 11lb inferior horse to Aidan O'Brien's six-time top tier scorer Auguste Rodin and globetrotter Rebel's Romance, trained by Charlie Appleby.
But the main players from Ballydoyle and Godolphin - powerhouses of Flat racing - were brushed aside by the little-known French raider.
"I knew my horse could quicken off a fast pace," said Graffard, who sent over Calandagan for a King Edward VII Stakes romp at Royal Ascot.
"But when I saw the 25-1 I was thinking, 'Oh my God, nobody believes in him'."
As the top two settled down for a straight fight out, Goliath was cantering under Christophe Soumillon and waiting to pounce.
At a time when the 2024 Paris Olympics is making headlines, the thoroughbred put his name in lights with a two-and-a-quarter length supremacy.
Bluestocking, saddled by Ralph Beckett as the only filly in the line-up, was second best and three-and-a-quarter lengths ahead of the William Buick-ridden Rebel's Romance.
The reigning champion jockey was beaten into fourth on Goliath in the Grand Prix de Chantilly last month, his prep run for the Royal meeting.
After a Hardwicke silver medal, Henri Graffard- who starred at the track with 2019 Coronation Stakes heroine Watch Me and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes star The Revenant a year later- was keen to return.
And top class rivals could offer nothing in response to Goliath's impressive late surge under Christophe Soumillon, partner of the last French winner Hurricane Run in 2006.
"It was like a dream," he said. "It is such an amazing feeling winning one of the biggest races in the world."
O'Brien reported beaten 7-4 favourite Auguste Rodin to have been unsuited by the ground, which he felt was riding slower than its official description of good to firm, good in places.
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