George Washington Forges to Victory at Ascot

George Washington restored his illustrious reputation with an impressive victory in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Eng-I) at Ascot on Saturday.

The win marked the 3-year-old's first trip to the winner's enclosure since his brilliant success in the Stan James Two Thousand Guineas (Eng-I) on May 6 at Newmarket. George Washington entered Saturday's race off a third in the Totesport Celebration Mile (Eng-II) on August 27. That race marked his first start back since recovering from pulled hip muscles suffered in the Boylesport Irish Two Thousand Guineas (Ire-I) on May 27.

As expected, fellow Aidan O'Brien-trainee River Tiber shot to the front to try and set the pace. The colt did not have things his own way, however, as he was joined on the lead by stablemate Ivan Denisovich, Killybegs, and dual Group 1-winner Librettist.

Killybegs took over the lead with just over three furlongs left, but was headed by Araafa with a furlong left to run. George Washington was traveling extremely well at this point under Mick Kinane, and the Coolmore colt stormed past Araafa with a half-furlong left to post a 1 ¼-length victory. Araafa held on for second, two lengths in front of Court Masterpiece.

Second betting choice, Librettist, faded to sixth.

O'Brien said that if all goes well for the Danehill colt, he would consider a start in the NetJets Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. I).

George Washington now has won six of nine career starts. He was bred in Ireland by Lael Stables. He is a son of Danehill, out of the Alysheba mare, Bordighera. He is a half-brother to multiple Group 1-winner, Grandera.