Opponents lie in wait for Taghrooda after Ascot win

Winning filly is quickly becoming a British fan favourite as Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid’s racing manager suggested that Taghrooda would run in the Yorkshire Oaks on August 21, writes Geoffrey Riddle.

Taghrooda, left and Mukhadram, centre, impressed at Ascot on Saturday and could meet again at York on August 21. Charlie Crowhurst / Getty Images

LONDON // Mukhadram looks set to join Taghrooda at York in three weeks after Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid’s two Group 1 flag bearers dominated the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes over the weekend at Ascot.

On Saturday, Taghrooda finished three lengths clear of Mukhadram, who missed finishing second by a short head to Telescope.

After the race, both John Gosden, the trainer, and Angus Gold, Sheikh Hamdan’s racing manager, suggested that Taghrooda would run in the Yorkshire Oaks on August 21.

Mukhadram could represent Sheikh Hamdan on the Knavesmire the day before, when he drops back in distance to 2,000 metres after proving, to a certain extent, that he can get 2,400m.

It will be the first major test of Taghrooda’s Ascot form, as Australia, winner of the English and Irish derbies, lies in wait.

“He wants to get on and get racing,” Mukhadram trainer William Haggas said. “The Juddmonte could be next.

“He’s run his guts out. Taghrooda looked marvellous and has won really well, but I’m as proud as punch of my horse. He ran a really solid race and he got the distance, I think.”

Taghrooda became only the sixth filly or mare to win the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes since 1951. Such is her growing popularity in Britain that a large proportion of the 27,250 fans erupted as she overtook Telescope and Mukhadram approximately 400m from the winning post.

“I actually heard the roar as I headed up the straight. I’d never heard a crowd react like that before,” said Paul Hanagan, her jockey.

Taghrooda looked much stronger than when she ran out a six-length winner of the English Oaks last month. Sea The Stars, her sire, improved with age during the 2009 season.

Her latest success was only her fourth start, and in an interview with a British racing channel yesterday, Hanagan said she has improved so much that he did not envisage defeat in the north of England next month.

“I think after that, I’d be confident wherever she goes next,” said the jockey, 33.

“She felt like she’d come on a lot since the Oaks, I’d been riding her on the gallops and she felt like a million dollars. I was always confident she could mix it with the colts.

“Ever since Sheikh Hamdan revealed Taghrooda was retiring at the end of the season, this is what racing needs. We threw her into the deep end and this is good for racing.”

In America, Tonalist could not build on his upset victory over California Chrome in the Belmont Stakes, as Wicked Strong proved too good in the Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga.

Wicked Strong was fourth behind California Chrome in the Kentucky Derby, and filled the same position in a dead heat with California Chrome behind Tonalist in the Belmont.

Wicked Strong reportedly will go for the US$1 million (Dh3.67m) Travers Stakes at Saratoga on August 23.

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