King George winner Goliath will run next in Germany in the G1 Preis von Europa [Sept 22] as a prep race for his primary end-of-season target, the Japan Cup in Tokyo on November 21.
Co-owner Philip Baron von Ullmann outlined plans for the four-year-old on Wednesday [Sept 11] morning, telling the galopponline.de website that Christophe Soumillon will maintain his partnership with the gelding in the mile-and-a-half contest at Cologne racecourse.
“After that, it's off to Japan,” added von Ullmann, who recently sold a majority 75% share in Goliath to US-based John Stewart of Resolute Racing, who is eyeing further overseas riches in 2025 with the German-bred son of Adlerflug.
Trained by Francis Graffard, Goliath currently stands at #7 on Thoroughbred Racing Commentary’s World Rankings, which are led by City Of Troy.
As a gelding, Goliath is barred from contesting the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, which would have been an obvious target for the German-bred son of Adlerflug after his shock 25-1 success in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes at Ascot in July on his most recent start.
The King George is a ‘win and you’re in’ qualifier for the Japan Cup – this year worth a total of ¥1.085bn ($7.66m/£5.85m).
Disappointing King George favourite Auguste Rodin, who runs this weekend in the Irish Champion Stakes, is also headed to the Japan Cup, which has not been won by an overseas horse since Luca Cumani-trained Alkaased and Frankie Dettori in 2005.
Meanwhile, Stewart is already looking ahead to a globe-trotting campaign next year. “His performance against Auguste Rodin and other top European horse in the King George was a major factor in my determination to purchase the controlling share of him,” explained Stewart, speaking to the Daily Mirror when he purchased his controlling share.
What They’re Thinking: John Stewart – ‘I want to have the best broodmare band on the planet’
“He dominated those horses and our plan is to campaign him around the world with his current trainer in the major turf races including the Japan Cup and the Sheema in Dubai. Next year we will consider both Australia and Hong Kong for the best turf races. The whole world deserves to see Goliath.”
• Visit the galopponline website and the Japan Cup website
View the latest TRC Global Rankings for horses / jockeys / trainers / sires