King Edward VII Stakes
 QuinnBet
Group 2, Ascot 17:35
£250,000 guaranteed,
3yo only,
1m 3f 233y, Class 1   
Friday 23rd June 2023

Boylesports

1 King Of Steel 11/10F
2 Continuous 9/1
3 Artistic Star 15/2
6 ran Distances: 3½l, 2½l, 2l
Time: 2m 35.30s (slow by 5.60s)

The imposing Roger Varian-trained King Of Steel loomed up in the straight and, despite edging right under pressure, readily stormed clear to score for an emphatic three-and-a-half-length victory. 

Continuous was slightly impeded by the winner but it had no bearing on the result, with Ryan Moore’s mount finishing two and a half lengths clear of third-placed Artistic Star.

It was another winner this week for Kia Joorabchian’s Amo Racing operation, which broke its Royal Ascot duck when Valiant Force caused a 150/1 shock in the Norfolk Stakes.

Varian said: “It is a relief! When they run so big in the Derby, you want them to back it up. We were confident King Of Steel would, but this is horseracing!

"We went on the signs that the horse was giving us. Raul Da Silva has done a wonderful job riding this horse most mornings, as has the whole team at home.

"I am delighted for Kia [Joorabchian], and was delighted that Kia got his winner yesterday, it took a bit of the pressure off us!

"I am delighted for the horse – he is a beautiful horse and, for a big horse, he is so agile. He confirmed today what he did in the Derby, which is very satisfying.”

When questioned whether the Grand Prix de Paris will be the horse's next target, Varian said: "Possibly, that is what we'd like to do, but a lot can change with horses so let's see how he is tomorrow."

Joorabchian said: “I could hardly watch the whole way round, but when I heard the shouting in my box I knew we had hit the front. I was staying quiet until it happened.

“I love this track so much. I loved it as a kid and I wanted to run here, even though I know it was a big decision not to go for the Irish Derby. We decided to run here and then go for the Grand Prix de Paris after that.

“Alex Elliott [bloodstock agent] and I saw this horse [as a yearling] at Keeneland and Alex said 'if there's one horse I need you to buy, it is this guy'. He was so big, twice the size of other yearlings. Alex and I started this [Amo Racing] together a long time ago and it was significant that we won this race.

“This horse floats – he's obviously got size and he's proven he can go on any ground. His first race, his maiden, was on soft and his last two races have been on firm so he's so diverse. He's going to be a wonderful horse.”

BetGoodwin

Stott said: “I was nervous, I'm not going to lie to you. There was a bit of pressure and, after finishing second in the Derby, you have to go out and prove it was no fluke. He's a very good horse.

"We didn't go very fast and he was a bit keen. I couldn't really get him to drop the bit until halfway and I was a little nervous at that point thinking he might have been too keen, but in a matter of strides we were in front and he was just lengthening. He could easily go back to ten furlongs because he has plenty of speed, and he's so quick on his feet for such a big horse.

"He has a blue eye on one side and you have to be nice and relaxed with him because he might be a tiny bit blind on that side. You can see how big he is and, if he stays in training next year and fills into this big frame, you don't know how good he could be. It's very exciting for me and for Kia to have such a good horse.”

Ralph Beckett said of Artistic Star: “It was a good run and I am really pleased with him. He ran his race, improved on Epsom, and is going the right way.”

Rob Hornby added: “I was able to get track position and Artistic Star will probably stay a mile and six furlongs, so we will step him up in trip and maybe look forward to a St Leger if he keeps improving.”

Cleeve Racing £10 trial

King Edward VII Stakes (Group 2)
£250,000 guaranteed, 3yo only, 1m 3f 211y, Class 1
6 ran
Going: Good to Firm

POS. (DRAW) DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 (6)    King Of Steel 3 9-2 Roger Varian Kevin Stott 11/10F
2 (3) 3½ Continuous 3 9-2 A P O'Brien Ryan Moore 9/1
3 (2) 2½ Artistic Star 3 9-2 Ralph Beckett Rob Hornby 15/2
4 (5) 2 Dubai Mile 3 9-5 Charlie Johnston Daniel Muscutt 14/1
5 (1) 4 Arrest 3 9-2 John & Thady Gosden Frankie Dettori 3/1
6 (4) 2½ Relentless Voyager 3 9-2 Andrew Balding Oisin Murphy 12/1

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KING EDWARD VII STAKES WINNERS

YR/DATE GR WINNER TRAINER JOCKEY OWNER AGE/WGT SP

2022 2 CHANGINGOFTHEGUARD Aidan O'Brien IRE Ryan Moore Westerberg, S Magnier, M Tabor & D Smith 3-9-02 11/10F
2021 2 ALENQUER William Haggas Tom Marquand M M Stables 3 9-00 13/8F
2020 2 PYLEDRIVER William Muir Martin Dwyer Knox & Wells Limited and R Devlin 3-9-00 18/1
2019 2 JAPAN Aidan O’Brien IRE Ryan Moore Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor 3-9-00 6/4F
2018 2 OLD PERSIAN Charlie Appleby William Buick Godolphin 3-9-00 9/2
2017 2 PERMIAN Mark Johnston William Buick Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum 3-9-00 6/1
2016 2 ACROSS THE STARS Sir Michael Stoute Frankie Dettori Saeed Suhail 3-9-00 7/1
2015 2 BALIOS David Simcock Jamie Spencer Al Asayl Bloodstock Ltd 3-9-00 3/1
2014 2 EAGLE TOP John Gosden William Buick Lady Bamford 3-9-00 12/1
2013 2 HILLSTAR Sir Michael Stoute Ryan Moore Sir Evelyn De Rothschild 3-8-12 15/2
2012 2 THOMAS CHIPPENDALE Sir Henry Cecil Johnny Murtagh Sir Robert Ogden 3-8-12 9/2
2011 2 NATHANIEL John Gosden William Buick Lady Rothschild 3-8-12 11/4F
2010 2 MONTEROSSO Mark Johnston Frankie Dettori Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum 3-8-12 7/2
2009 2 FATHER TIME Henry Cecil Eddie Ahern Khalid Abdullah 3-8-12 9/1
2008 2 CAMPANOLOGIST Saeed Bin Suroor Frankie Dettori Godolphin 3-8-12 9/1
2007 2 BOSCOBEL Mark Johnston Joe Fanning Sheikh Mohammed 3-8-12 7/1
06/23/06 2 PAPAL BULL Sir Michael Stoute Kieren Fallon Sue Magnier, Derrick Smith, Michael Tabor 3-8-12 5/4F
*05/17/06 2 PLEA BARGAIN John Gosden Jimmy Fortune Sheikh Mohammed 3-8-11 9/2
04/18/06 2 FIVE DYNASTIES Aidan O’Brien IRE Jamie Spencer Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor 3-8-11 11/4F
03/20/06 2 HIGH ACCOLADE Marcus Tregoning Martin Dwyer Lady Tennant 3-8-11 5/2F
02/21/06 2 BALAKHERI Sir Michael Stoute Johnny Murtagh H H Aga Khan 3-8-10 11/4F
01/22/06 2 STORMING HOME Barry Hills Michael Hills Maktoum Al Maktoum 3-8-08 9/2
00/23/06 2 SUBTLE POWER Henry Cecil Richard Quinn Thoroughbred Corporation 3-8-08 7/4F
99/18/06 2 MUTAFAWEQ Saeed bin Suroor Frankie Dettori Godolphin 3-8-08 4/1F
98/19/06 2 ROYAL ANTHEM Henry Cecil Kieren Fallon Thoroughbred Corporation 3-8-08 9/4F
97/20/06 2 KINGFISHER MILL Julie Cecil Pat Eddery Lord Howard de Walden 3-8-08 9/4F
96/21/06 2 AMFORTAS Clive Brittain Brett Doyle Brian Voak 3-8-08 66/1
95/23/06 2 PENTIRE Geoff Wragg Michael Hills Mollers Racing 3-8-08 4/1
94/14/06 2 FOYER Michael Stoute Michael Kinane Sheikh Mohammed 3-8-08 7/2
93/15/06 2 BENEFICIAL Geoff Wragg Michael Hills Exors of late Sir Robin McAlpine 3-8-08 11/4F
92/16/06 2 BEYTON Richard Hannon snr Michael Kinane David Cock 3-8-08 12/1
91/18/06 2 SADDLERS’ HALL Michael Stoute Lester Piggott Lord Weinstock 3-8-08 7/1
90/19/06 2 PRIVATE TENDER Henry Cecil Steve Cauthen Cliveden Stud 3-8-08 11/4F
89/20/06 2 CACOETHES Guy Harwood Pat Eddery Lady Harrison 3-8-08 8/13F
88/14/06 2 SHERIFF’S STAR Lady Herries Tony Ives Lavinia Duchess of Norfolk 3-8-08 9/2
87/16/06 2 LOVE THE GROOM John Dunlop Pat Eddery Mrs V Gaucci del Bono 3-8-08 7/1
86/17/06 2 BONHOMIE Henry Cecil Steve Cauthen Sheikh Mohammed 3-8-08 9/4F
85/20/06 2 LANFRANCO Henry Cecil Steve Cauthen Charles St George 3-8-06 13/8F
84/21/06 2 HEAD FOR HEIGHTS Dick Hern Willie Carson Sheikh Mohammed 3-8-06 5/1
83/16/06 2 SHAREEF DANCER Michael Stoute Walter Swinburn Maktoum Al Maktoum 3-8-06 10/1
82/17/06 2 OPEN DAY Dick Hern Willie Carson Sir Michael Sobell 3-8-06 9/1
81/18/06 2 BUSTOMI Dick Hern Willie Carson Lady Beaverbrook 3-8-06 13/2
80/19/06 2 LIGHT CAVALRY Henry Cecil Joe Mercer Jim Joel 3-8-06 9/2
79/21/06 2 ELA-MANA-MOU Guy Harwood Greville Starkey Mrs Andry Muinos 3-8-06 11/10F
78/22/06 2 ILE DE BOURBON Fulke Johnson Houghton John Reid David McCall 3-8-06 11/1
77/16/06 2 CLASSIC EXAMPLE Peter Walwyn Pat Eddery Col Roger Hue-Williams 3-8-10 14/1
*run at York

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