Last year's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) winner Goliath returned to winning ways at the group 1 level when landing the Grosser Preis von Baden (G1) in Germany Sept. 7.
The 5-year-old was beaten by a head in a group 3 contest at Deauville Aug. 16, but he put that effort behind him with a powerful performance. He traveled strongly before taking up the running in the home straight and swiftly accelerated clear of Dubai Honour.
It was a second group 1 win in 16 starts for the song of Adlerflug, who traveled to Japan and Hong Kong to contest major races in November and April, under rider Clement Lecoeuvre for trainer Francis Graffard. The Japan Cup (G1) is once again on his radar, according to connections, although a tilt at the Breeders' Cup at Del Mar before then is also a possibility.
"I'm delighted for the horse," Graffard said. "That will have done wonders for his morale and he clearly enjoyed being back over a mile-and-a-half. Clement rode his last piece of work on Tuesday and my only instructions were to let him stride on and not to fight him.
"The idea of going to Germany was that it's a bonus race for the Japan Cup. Before that, he could go to the Breeder's Cup, which would please his owner, John Stewart."
Stewart, who mans Resolute Bloodstock, bought into Goliath after his King George success and co-owns with Philip Baron Von Ullmann. The Prix d'Hedouville (G3), Prix du Conseil de Paris (G2), and La Coupe (G3) are other notable races on the gelding's record.
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