Battaash Bids for Fourth King George Stakes Win

The fact Angus Gold is prepared to mention Battaash in the same breath as Dayjur says it all.

Gold, the long-standing racing manager to Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, was one of many thousands to have been captivated by the brilliance of his boss's sprint superstar, who produced a succession of electrifying performances in 1990, including an all-the-way four-length Keeneland Nunthorpe Stakes (G1) victory which still sends a tingle through the spine.

The mighty son of Danzig may be best remembered by some for jumping a shadow close home in the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) at Belmont Park, but anyone fortunate enough to have seen his spell-binding York, Haydock, or Longchamp performances that year will know they witnessed true greatness.

"I doubt I'll see a better sprinter than Dayjur in my lifetime," Gold said. "He was so blisteringly fast; he was just dynamite.

"But Battaash is very, very fast, too. He boasts a fantastic record over the last three years, and I'd put him just half a length behind Dayjur."

Gold added: "I've been so lucky to have been involved with two great horses. Battaash is unbeaten in three starts at Goodwood and is going for his fourth consecutive King George (Qatar Stakes, G2). He's very special."

Trainer Charlie Hills agrees and reports the 6-year-old to be in prime form ahead of his attempt at making history.

The winner of 11 of his 21 races, Battaash looked as good as ever when scorching the Royal Ascot turf in the King's Stand Stakes (G1) to slam stablemate Equilateral by 2 1/4 lengths last month.

"He's done a couple of nice pieces of work lately, and I'm really pleased with him," Hills said. "We've had no problems at all since Royal Ascot.

"He has a group 1 penalty but is a very special horse. He's not done a lot wrong during his career."

His rider, Jim Crowley, is understandably another huge fan of the horse he affectionately calls "the Batmobile."

"Battaash is the fastest horse I've ridden by far. He is the Batmobile," Crowley said. "He is a very special horse who has become synonymous with Goodwood, and it would mean the world to everyone involved if he can win the race for the fourth time."

The son of Dark Angel unleashed a spectacular turn of foot when landing the second of his King George wins two years ago.

After quickening to lead a furlong out, he powered four lengths clear of Take Cover to record one of the best victories of his career.

He may never quite touch the public the way Dayjur did, but Battaash is a wonderfully high-class sprinter, and a fourth consecutive King George would provide another highlight of what is turning into a fantastic week.