Dark Angel's Battaash Dominates the King George

With the achievements of Muhaarar (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) still fresh in the memory, Charlie Hills has another star sprinter on his hands after Battaash made a mockery of a seemingly competitive edition of this prize. Offering a glimpse of what was to eventually follow when winning his debut by four lengths at Bath last May, the bay threw away all chance in the Listed Windor Castle S. at Royal Ascot the following month by rearing in the stalls and after his disappointing 12th placing there was gelded. Third on his next three starts at two, he pulled too hard in a six-furlong conditions event at Doncaster in early September, was unable to defy topweight in a five-furlong nursery at Haydock later that month and met a more precocious rival in Mrs Danvers (GB) (Hellvelyn {GB}) in the G3 Cornwallis S. also at five at Newmarket the following month.

At Sandown for his seasonal return, Battaash showed he had turned a corner over the winter by capturing the Listed Scurry S. June 17 and returned there to add the July 8 G3 Sprint S. to his tally with even greater finesse. While both those efforts came on good-to-firm ground, he had to deal with a different type of test here and his past problems with knees remained a concern on an undulating track. Full of gas throughout the early stages as Jim Crowley sought to get a lead from the seriously-fast track specialist Take Cover, he was allowed to stride past that dual King George winner as early as halfway with his rider unable to contain him any longer. The way he brushed aside such a formidable Goodwood specialist was testament to his raw ability and as he did so he was able to keep Profitable holed up at a vital stage. When that rival was free, it was notable how Battaash kept him safely at bay and it was plain sailing to the line as he domineered two solid group 1 winners with the cream rising to the top.

Jim Crowley was leaving no doubt as to his regard of the winner. “I don't think I've ridden a better sprinter,” he said. “I went to ride him in work last week and he was like a motorbike. He's very fast and you just have to keep a lid on him in the race and he takes you into it. I was worried about the ground, but Charlie wasn't. He was happy he'd go on it, as horses in his pedigree have gone with a bit of cut but he will probably be better on better ground.” Hills added, “I was delighted with that performance today and he seemed to handle the ground with no problems at all. He was really impressive up against proper sprinters there and travelled with such ease. He is a three-year-old who is improving and that was another step up, so he is progressing the right way. He is a serious speedball, whereas Muhaarar would have got further and maybe got a mile had we gone that way with him, so they are different types. The [Aug. 25 G1] Nunthorpe is next, all being well and five furlongs at York should really suit him. Of course we have the American horse to contend with there, but he should make it a good race.”

Profitable's trainer Clive Cox was offering no excuses afterwards. “I think he has been beaten by a better horse on the day,” he commented. “The ground is very testing, but credit to the winner. It is difficult to change gear on that ground and we just didn't find as much. We will see how he comes back, but I think he has run his race.” Sir Mark Prescott said of Marsha, “She ran very well. She was a tiny bit short of room when it mattered. I thought she and Profitable would have finished within inches of one and other as usual, but she probably wouldn't have beaten the winner, who looked very good. The Nunthorpe would be for her if she was all right. She is going to go to the sales in the autumn, which is a sadness for us and the 1000 members [of the Elite Racing Club], so it is better to enjoy her while they have got her.”

Shadwell have a history with top-class sprinters, with the likes of Elnadim and Muhaarar keeping company with the benchmark performer Dayjur. Dark Angel is becoming a fountain of sprinting prowess, with Lethal Force (Ire), Mecca's Angel (Ire) and Harry Angel (Ire) all proving ample advertisements for him. His latest flag-bearer is the first foal out of a half-sister to another of the operation's smart performers in the G2 Champagne S. winner Etlaala (GB) (Selkirk), who was also third in the G1 July Cup, while his half-sister Bird Key (GB) (Cadeaux Genereux {GB}) produced Tasleet (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) who carried the blue-and-white to victory in this year's G2 Duke of York S. and was second in the G1 Diamond Jubilee S. At the other end of the spectrum, the third dam is a half to the G1 Prix Royal-Oak-winning stayer Braashee (Sadler's Wells), while the family also features the MGSW Adam Smith (GB) (Sadler's Wells), the G3 Nell Gwyn S. winner Ghariba (Ire) (Final Straw {GB}) and the G3 Autumn S. winner and G1 Racing Post Trophy runner-up Fantastic View (Distant View). Anna Law's 2-year-old colt Littlelordconford (Ire) (Intikhab) debuts at Lingfield on Saturday.

Friday, Goodwood, Britain
QATAR KING GEORGE S.-G2, £312,100, GOO, 8-4, 3yo/up, 5fT, :58.51, sf.
1–BATTAASH (IRE), 125, g, 3, by Dark Angel (Ire)
1st Dam: Anna Law (Ire), by Lawman (Fr)
2nd Dam: Portelet (GB), by Night Shift
3rd Dam: Noirmant (Ire), by Dominion (GB)
(200,000gns Ylg '15 TAOCT). O-Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum; B-Ballyphilip Stud (IRE); T-Charles Hills; J-Jim Crowley. £176,992. Lifetime Record: 8-4-0-3, $328,507. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Profitable (Ire), 128, h, 5, Invincible Spirit (Ire)–Dani Ridge (Ire), by Indian Ridge (Ire). (95,000gns Ylg '13 TAOCT). O-Godolphin; B-Con Harrington (IRE); T-Clive Cox. £67,102.
3–Marsha (Ire), 125, f, 4, Acclamation (GB)–Marlinka (GB), by Marju (Ire). O/B-Elite Racing Club (IRE); T-Sir Mark Prescott. £33,582.
Margins: 2 1/4, 3/4, 3/4. Odds: 4.50, 2.25, 4.50.
Also Ran: Take Cover (GB), Washington DC (Ire), Kyllang Rock (Ire), Final Venture (GB), Glass Office (GB), Priceless (GB), Kachy (GB), Ardad (Ire). Scratched: Yalta (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.