Arc Winner Danedream Nips Nathaniel In The King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes At Ascot

A brilliant and heart-pounding race this morning in the Group 1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot. Arc winner Danedrewm (GER) unleashed a furious rally inside the final furlong to win a head bobbing photo over Nathaniel (IRE) at the wire. Breeders' Cup Turf winner St. Nicholas Abbey (IRE) rallied from last to finish 3rd under Joseph O'Brien. Betting favorite Sea Moon (GB) finished a disappointing fifth.

Racing over ground rated GOOD to SOFT, Danedream settled in mid-pack during the early stages, just to the inside of the second choice, Nathaniel. As the field made their way up the hill from Swinley Bottom, the Arc winner continued to track the early leaders while keeping a keen eye on her rival. Coming off the bend into the home straight, Nathaniel worked his way to the front of the pack, squeezing Danedream just a bit in-between rivals. Danedream took several strides to re-compose herself, was shifted out towards the center of the course and commenced a gutty rally ending in a head-bob at the wire when it looked like Nathaniel had the race won.

Danedream is a four-year-old filly by Lomitas (GB) out of a Danehill mare (Danedrop (IRE).

Result Chart (via Racing Post)

More on this race a bit later.