Goodwood, England// Kingman was reminiscent of Frankel on the Sussex Downs on Wednesday as his potent turn of foot proved too much for Toronado in the Group 1 Sussex Stakes.
Toronado, ridden by Richard Hughes, tried in vain to defend the title he won last season from Godolphin’s Dawn Approach, but Kingman flashed past him inside the final 200 metres to win by a length under James Doyle.
Aidan O’Brien’s Darwin was third, ahead of Godolphin’s Outstrip, who was a close-up last.
Frankel beat Godolphin’s Farhh by six lengths two seasons ago and in doing so posted a 200-metre split time of 10.42 seconds. His fastest sectional was bettered by 0.2 seconds as Kingman proved he is the best miler in Europe.
“The turn of gear he has is unbelievable and to go to top speed in five strides was pretty exciting,” Doyle said.
Kingman has an entry in the Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville on August 17, a Group 1 race also over a mile. Connections must decide whether the date is too soon, as the ultimate target is the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on British Champions Day at Ascot in October.
There Kingman could meet Toronado again, or if the going is softer than good, Olympic Glory, Toronado’s stablemate at Richard Hannon’s yard.
Connections of Toronado were not looking forward to a rematch. “I hit the final two furlongs at full pelt and knew it would take a good one to get by me,” Hughes said. “Next time I will bring a gun.”
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