There was huge hype surrounding Ascot’s King George VI and Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes ahead of the race and while some of the anticipated fireworks fizzled out when the favourite, Derby winner Auguste Rodin, fell tamely away the finish more than lived up to expectations in the end with a pulsating battle up the home straight between the winner and second thrilling the large summer crowd.
The race was won by the six year old Hukum, having his first crack at this event. Hukum had previously won two of his three starts at the track and had a strong overall profile, having won 10 of his 16 starts and he looked the part in the parade ring before the race. It was a strong field with plenty in the race who had Group One winning form and Hukum was only fourth choice in the market.
In the race Hukum was held up just a few lengths off the lead in mid-division with Westover just on his outside. The favourite Auguste Rodin was held up right at the back just behind second favourite Emily Upjohn who was providing Frankie Dettori with his final ride in this famous race.
The positions remained unaltered until they approached the home turn where Ryan Moore quickly starting sending out distress signals on Auguste Rodin. Dettori was also quickly hard at work on Emily Upjohn and she never picked up in the way she normally does. Meanwhile both Hukum and Westover came wide into the straight, with Luxembourg and King Of Steel coming on the inside. The four looked to have it between them and it was Hukum and Westover who proved strongest in the final quarter mile, with Hukum gradually wearing his rival down to win by a head after a captivating final furlong duel.
After the race Hukum’s trainer Owen Burrows admitted he’d been as excited as the rest of the crowd during that final furlong battle. “For whatever reason he’s shown a bit more speed and what a tough horse he is because – fair play to the second – he didn’t lie down,” Burrows added. “What a race, what a spectacle. It lived up to the hype and I’m a bit hoarse from shouting, but what can you say about him – he’s an absolute star.”
Burrows had suffered a severe setback when the Shadwell operation scaled down and although he still trains horses for the operation he is no longer employed as a private trainer. However, he thanked Sheikh Hissa Al Maktoum for keeping this particular horse in training to vindicate his belief that the horse was top class after his season was curtailed in 2022 following a leg injury.
For former jump-race jockey Jim Crowley this was yet another big win in the famous colours. “I’m lost for words about this horse. He’s been a huge part of my career; my first Royal Ascot winner, first Group 1 winner and we ran him in Dubai after the sad passing of Sheikh Hamdan. He’s amazing”, said Crowley after the race.
Hukum, by Sea The Stars, is a full brother to the brilliant Baeed out of the Kingmambo mare Aghareed. While Baaeed largely excelled at a mile, stamina is Hukum’s forte and the Qatar Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe in Paris later in the Autumn may play to his strengths. The bookmakers are certainly not taking any chances as he’s been cut to 7/1 from 14s with Paddy Power for that race.
