WATCH: Battaash blitzes field to claim King George Stakes for fourth time

Top Stories

Embracing the bright side: A guide on how to cultivate optimism

The power of solitude: Why you should go on a solo trip

How to get your kids to read: Essential tips for parents

There was no stopping Battaash in the Group 2 King George Stakes on Friday. - Agencies

Dubai - The 'King of Speed,' owned by Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Minister of Finance, eclipses his own track record

By James Jose

Published: Fri 31 Jul 2020, 11:05 PM

Last updated: Sat 1 Aug 2020, 1:15 AM

Battaash, the best sprinter in Europe, conjured a jaw-dropping show to claim the Group 2 King George Stakes for the fourth time at the Glorious Goodwood Festival on Friday.
The six-year-old from Dark Angel, owned by Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Minister of Finance, won the five-furlong affair by 2 ¼ lengths and also eclipsed his own track record in the process. Known as the 'King of Speed,' Battaash timed 55.62 seconds to put the previous mark of 56.2 to shade.
Glass Slippers, trained by Kevin Ryan, was second followed by Ornate, who was a neck behind and 2 ½ lengths behind Battaash, who is now the most successful horse in the race.

BOX OFFICE!

Blink and you'll miss him! History is made as super-sprinter Battaash smashes the course record winning a fourth King George @Q_REC Stakes under Jim Crowley for trainer Charlie Hills#QatarGoodwoodFestival #TheGloriousFive pic.twitter.com/xqgDAFPWI7
- Goodwood Racecourse (@Goodwood_Races) July 31, 2020

"Winning a Group Two (the King George) on four successive occasions takes some doing," said trainer Richard Hills as Battaash increased his tally to 12 wins in 22 starts, with this being his 10th group victory..
"He is so talented. I am so very proud of him. It is great for the sport to have him and to be involved with such a horse is a great honour. He is not the biggest horse in the world but so well balanced and a natural athlete. He is not overly raced either," he added.
Hills said that Battaash will now embark on the title defence of the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes at the York Racecourse in August.
"We will tackle the Nunthorpe next. Who knows what will happen after that. It is such a strange year. He will tell us when he has had enough," Hills said.
Meanwhile, jockey Jim Crowley, felt that Battaash has matured as time has gone by.
"He was good, as he was getting a bit lonely out front so I had to keep his mind on the job," said Crowley, who was victorious on Mohaather in the Group 1 Sussex Stakes on Wednesday.
"It is so hard to find horses to keep him company as he is so fast. I think we can safely say as he has got older he has become much more consistent," said Crowley.
james@khaleejtimes.com