Defoe Delights Connections with Hardwicke Stakes Win

Victory for a yard favorite means that bit more, and Defoe did his popularity no harm in producing a career-best performance to land the June 22 Hardwicke Stakes (G2).

The ever-improving 5-year-old son of Dalakhani is not just the apple of everyone's eye at Roger Varian's Carlburg Stables in Newmarket but also immensely treasured by the trainer's family.

While the Varian team on course were beaming from ear to ear and fielding handshakes and hugs from left, right, and center after his thrilling half-length victory over Czech Republic challenger Nagano Gold at Royal Ascot, the trainer's children Momoka, Eiji, and Reika will have been watching intently on television from home.

Varian's wife, Hanako, said: "Defoe is my favorite as he's a lovely horse at home yet really tough on the track, and that is a rare combination. He's kind, a gentleman, and all he wants to do is eat grass, even at the racecourse! He's just so chilled out and a pleasure to have in the yard.

"He's very kind to our children, and he's just so nice. Days like this are fantastic, and it's great for his owner, Sheikh Mohammed Obaid, who has been so kind to our family and the children—I'm certain they are watching at home."

Last year's Investec Derby (G1) winner, Masar, loomed up promisingly on the outside entering the home straight but faded in the closing stages to finish a near five-length fifth.

A return to Ascot for the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) July 27, for which he was shortened to 8-1 (from 12), is next on the agenda for five-time group scorer Defoe, who struck at the top level for the first time in the Investec Coronation Cup (G1) at Epsom this month.

Varian, celebrating his third Royal Ascot success, said: "Defoe is everyone's favorite horse, and he's just hard not to like. He's very straightforward, tries, always relaxed, and getting better with age.

"It was a strong race on paper, and he's took his form forward from Epsom. It was a tough performance, and he's such a lovely horse to train.

"He had a good attitude as a colt, and it was Sheikh Mohammed Obaid's decision to geld him at the end of last season, which is possibly going to elongate the horse's career.

"We've always had faith in him being very capable to mix it with the best, and hopefully we can bring him back for the King George. It has to be on the radar with a nice break between now and then, and we're excited for the rest of the season."

It had been a testing week for winning rider Andrea Atzeni, who failed to strike on 15 rides at the meeting, which made this triumph extra special.

Atzeni, mixing delight with relief, said: "It's been a longish week, but I did think my best rides came today, and it's great for Sheikh Mohammed Obaid, who is a big supporter of mine and puts a lot of money into the game.

"Defoe has always had lots of talent but has turned the corner this year and is just getting better and better."