Steel Monarch Ready to Go Ahead of Dettori Partnership
Roger Varian Confident King Of Steel is Ready for Qipco Champion Stakes
Renowned trainer Roger Varian is brimming with confidence as he prepares his star three-year-old, King of Steel, for the highly anticipated Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot. With jockey Frankie Dettori set to bid farewell on UK soil, this race could be a memorable finale for both horse and rider.
King of Steel narrowly missed out on Derby glory earlier this year but redeemed himself with an impressive victory in the prestigious King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot. Despite subsequent defeats in the King George and Irish Champion Stakes, Varian believes his talented colt is now at the peak of his form.
The decision to replace Kevin Stott with the experienced Dettori has brought renewed hope to connections from Amo Racing. Varian expressed optimism about their partnership, stating that Dettori’s riding style suits King of Steel perfectly and that they are well-prepared for this challenging race.
“Regardless of whether Frankie is signing off or not, I think he’ll suit the horse,” said Varian confidently. “He came and rode him and he was happy with him. It won’t be an easy race, but both horse and jockey go there in good form.”
In terms of future plans for King of Steel, Varian mentioned the possibility of competing in the Breeders’ Cup. However, their primary focus is on the Champion Stakes at Ascot, where they aim to make a lasting impact.
This year’s Champion Stakes features an impressive field of 11 contenders, including Horizon Dore, Mostahdaf and last year’s winner Bay Bridge. French-trained horses have enjoyed recent success in this prestigious race, with Cirrus Des Aigles (2011), Almanzor (2016), and Sealiway (2021) all emerging victorious.
One notable challenger is Patrice Cottier’s Horizon Dore, who enters the race after securing four consecutive wins in the Prix Dollar. Meanwhile, Mostahdaf has previously showcased his talent by winning both the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Juddmonte International at York.
The weather conditions could play a significant role in determining each horse’s performance. With Mostahdaf preferring fast ground but potentially facing rain later in the week, connections are closely monitoring these developments.
Trainer John Gosden acknowledged this concern: “Mostahdaf has won on soft ground before but we’ll have to see what happens throughout the week. He ran poorly on heavy ground during last year’s Arc but excels when conditions are more favorable.”
Gosden also revealed that Nashwa remains under consideration for both races – either running alongside King of Steel or opting for participation in the preceding Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.
“Nashwa put up an exceptional performance when finishing third in the Irish Champion Stakes,” said Gosden. “She showed incredible speed towards the end of that race and is currently in excellent shape.”
In addition to these contenders, Bay Bridge seeks redemption after finishing sixth in this year’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Trainer William Haggas has entered both last year’s third-place finisher, My Prospero, and the globetrotting Dubai Honour.
Other acceptors for the race include Via Sistina trained by George Boughey, Royal Rhyme from Karl Burke’s stable, as well as Aidan O’Brien’s duo of Point Lonsdale and Paddington. However, it is widely expected that Paddington will instead compete in the preceding QEII over a mile.
Paddington has been a standout performer this season for Ballydoyle with victories in the Irish 2,000 Guineas, St James’s Palace Stakes, Coral-Eclipse and Sussex Stakes before experiencing his first defeat when finishing third behind Mostahdaf at York in August.