Golden Horn’s bid to become only the fourth horse to achieve the treble of the Epsom Derby-Eclipse Stakes and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes ended in disappointment on Saturday as trainer John Gosden withdrew him because of the ground at Ascot.
Ascot was hit by a deluge on Friday, with the going easing significantly from good to firm to soft for their mid-summer showpiece and Gosden had his worst fears confirmed with regard to the going being against his favourite after he walked the course before racing.
“Where we are standing on the straight course, this ground is fine, and will ride good to soft,” Gosden said.
“But where they are running over a mile and a half, it runs down into Swinley Bottom — and it’s not called that for nothing.
“On that part of the course, my stick was going in 10 or 12 inches and it’s holding ground there.
“He’s a horse with an enormous amount of speed and is an incredible athlete.
“You’re asking him to be nearly a St Leger horse to go on that (ground) today.”
Gosden, who has won the race twice, still has two runners engaged in the race, Romsdal and Eagle Top, who Golden Horn’s rider Frankie Dettori has switched to, and will take on five opponents for the winners cheque of £670,000 (Dh3.8m).
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