Taghrooda pipped the much-fancied Telescope in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on Saturday to claim a thrilling and historic victory.
The win followed Taghrooda’s success in the Epsom Oaks and made her only the second filly to complete the Oaks-King George double in the same season with Pawneese achieving the feat in 1976.
Fresh from a stunning win at Royal Ascot last month, Telescope was the 5-2 favourite, but he had no answer as the filly burst past him in the final furlong (200m) of the Group One race.
Taghrooda, trained by John Gosden, streaked away from Telescope and Eclipse Stakes winner Mukhadram to win by three lengths in the mid-season showpiece at Ascot.
“It’s such a buzz, something you never think would happen,” jockey Paul Hanagan said. “I’m just so delighted for the whole team. It was a great job.”
Hanagan, who had not previously ridden in the race, held Taghrooda at the back of the field before allowing her to make her move in the straight.
Mukhadram had overtaken pace-setter Leitir Mor on the turn and soon found Telescope on his shoulder, but Taghrooda cut them both down to win going away.
“They went hard and I didn’t plan to sit that far back, but you can only go as fast as you can and she adapted really well,” Hanagan said.
Taghrooda’s owner, Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, elected to keep her out of last weekend’s Irish Oaks and Gosden felt her performance fully vindicated the call.
“It was a special performance and I’m very glad Sheikh Hamdan made the correct decision,” he said.
“I thought it was a bold and good plan. I thought it was a bit defensive going for the other race. I think Sheikh Hamdan will place all of my horses now.
“I’m absolutely thrilled and it was a great ride.”
Angus Gold, Sheikh Hamdan’s racing manager, was similarly delighted.
“She’s always shown us in her races that she’s an extra-talented filly, but you never know until you pitch them in at the deep end,” he said. “She’s blessed with that wonderful attitude. Nothing troubles her.”
Gosden said Sheikh Hamdan would make the decision whether Taghrooda would be set for October’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
