Nathaniel brings in the Coral-Eclipse success for the John Gosden and William Buick team at Sandown
The overwhelming victory of Galileo’s four-year-old, Nathanial, in the Group 1 Coral-Eclipse (British Champions Series) washed away all the fears of the trainer, John Gosden who doubted success due to the long lay-off since October, 2011. For the mile and two furlong distance on 7th July, 2012 at Sandown, the winner of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, was challenged by Monterosso, Cityscape and then Farhh towards the concluding stages of the race.
Under the amazing rider, William Buick, Nathaniel broke vigilantly in the field of nine. However, City Style did not wait for long to suppress the Irish bay colt and thus enjoyed the lead.
With seven and a half more furlongs to go, the Lady Rothschild & Newsells Park Stud owned was still right at the heels of City Style. Going half way and making the turn, the leading duo from the initial stages of the race remained the same.
Nathaniel made it out in the front with three more furlongs under way while Ahmed Ajtebi’s mount struggled in the second position. Around the same time, the Saeed Bin Suroor trained favourite entry of the race, Farhh, started heading towards the ones leading.
A few more strides down the distance, it was Farhh ridden by Frankie Dettori on the inside with Nathaniel in mood of delegating the lead. After a gruelling battle inside the final furlong, the John Gosden trained won by a mere half length’s lead.
The bay colt out of mare, Magnificent Style, added the third graded success through the seventh outing of the career and the seasonal debut. The star team of trainer, John Gosden and jockey, William Buick, have promised some thrilling future successes provided the colt stays as enthusiastic as he was during the ten furlong race.
"It's only two weeks to the King George and that is not great, but the next week will tell us," Gosden said. "I'd like to go to Ascot, but he's just put in a massive effort having not run since October and you have to be careful as it can take more out of them than it appears.
"He's a big, stronger horse this year. He met Frankel once, first time out, there was half a length in it and they're two lovely horses."
Nathaniel’s next stop is at Ascot where he will defend the Group 1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes while the most intriguing event remains to be a possible rematch between the highest rated race horse, Frankel, and the roaring success, Nathaniel.
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