Nathaniel has QIPCO Champion Stakes as back up, confirmed by trainer John Gosden
The classy son of Galileo, Nathaniel is off to the Prix de l’Arc Triomphe on 2 October, 2011, but connections prefer the QIPCO Champion Stakes going on at Ascot on 15 October, if the going is too firm in Paris.
Trained by John Gosden for owner Lady Rothschild, Nathaniel has been on a roll this year, as he has blasted his way past opponents at Haydock, Chester and twice at Ascot.
With two attempts at breaking his maiden last year, but failing to nail the races, Nathaniel broke his maiden in the year 2011 on 16 April and, since then he has burst into the scene all ends up, a force to be reckoned with wherever he runs.
The 3-year-old bay colt, kicked off for trainer John Gosden when he opted for the maiden special at Newmarket on 13 August, 2010. Among the 12 was the awesome Frankel as well.
Nathaniel under William Buick took on the 1 mile distance for 2 year olds and, tracked leaders until led over 2 furlongs out.
Frankel was given a run for his money as Nathaniel threatened his chances of winning the race, but the unbeaten colt won it by a mere length from Nathaniel.
Nathaniel drew first blood in his third attempt, when he won by nine lengths against Madrasa in the St Helens Maiden Stakes at Haydock on 16 April, 2011.
His first real crack at the big horses came in the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes for colts and geldings on 17 June, 2011 at the Ascot. Nathaniel under his usual jockey William Buick pressed the leader’s four furlongs out, when initially Buick held the colt
back.
Entering the final 3 furlongs, William Buick took Nathaniel under a strong drive and swept past competition to lead as early as 3 furlongs to the finish.
Ran on strongly and comfortably, the pair edged out and cleared out all competition and drove home without a worry.
Nathaniel defeated the runner up Fiorente by a massive five lengths.
Next up was another 1 mile 4 furlong event at the Ascot, but with slightly tougher opponents. With the likes of Workforce, Rewilding, St Nicholas Abbey and Debussy filled up the field for the Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
William Buick took the responsibility and guided his classy colt to a magnificent victory over the heavy weights of racing both in England and Europe.
On 23 July, 2011, Nathaniel defeated Workforce by a significant margin of 2 ¾ lengths to win the Ascot meet.
This time around if Paris had ground issues, Nathaniel will be returning to the Ascot for the QIPCO Champion Stakes for another win for the trainer, hopefully.
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