POET’S WORD WINS THE KING GEORGE VI AND QUEEN ELIZABETH STAKES, GR.1

Sir Michael Stoute continued to make history in winning the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Gr.1 becoming the trainer who has won it the maximum number of times, this being his sixth victory. Poet’s Word, a son of the late Poet’s Voice who died early this year, had much to do when turning for home as his stable mate Crystal Ocean was in full flight ahead of him. James Doyle took on the challenge and the two battled for victory to reach the post a neck in front of Crystal Ocean. Rostropovich set a good pace from the front, pursued by Salouen, with Crystal Ocean tracking the front pair. Turning for home, Crystal Ocean took to the lead two furlongs from home. Poet’s Word was brought wide round the turn to make his challenge to overcome his stable mate on the line. Coronet finished well to take third place, a further nine lengths behind Crystal Ocean.

Poet’s Word is no stranger to crashing the celebrations at the highest level, having overturned Cracksman in the Gr.1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot, but today was his first Gr.1 victory over 1m4f. Poet’s Word is a half-brother to the dual Gr.3 winner Malabar (Raven’s Pass) and hails from the outstanding family of Inchyre (Shirley Heights), herself a daughter of the top mare Inchmurrin (Lomond).