Racing: Battling Golan gains bittersweet glory

King George: Weinstock legacy lives on as Stoute and Fallon combine for masterful and poignant victory

It is popularly perceived that the winner of the Grand National, a lottery over jumps, can be identified by following the best romantic tale. After events here yesterday, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Europe's midsummer Flat championship, can now be considered a race for the storybook.

Sir Michael Stoute, one of the best conditioners of a horse of this or any other era, produced the four-year-old Golan to win the Group One contest on his first run this year. But it was a poignant denouement, for the colt's owner, Lord Weinstock, had died just four days previously. However, his legacy, that of the high-class, middle-distance horses bred at his Ballymacoll Stud, was there for all to see. This was the 23rd time that the familiar pale-blue colours had been successful at the top level and Golan, in terms of his class and heart, was following in the best traditions of animals like Sun Princess, Pilsudski, Troy and Ela-Mana-Mou – the last two-named past King George winners.

Golan, who won the 2,000 Guineas last year, was given a typically masterful ride by Kieren Fallon, a jockey who had been spurned by some of Stoute's patrons. After dropping his mount out off the early gallop to a position on the rail, Fallon tracked the leaders, headed by Zindabad, into the straight before launching his challenge with split-second timing, sending his partner into a closing gap between Zindabad and Nayef. The Spectrum colt went through it with a will and ran to the line without flinching as, indeed, to repel Nayef and secure the £435,000 first prize, he had to. It was a duel in the sun to grace the prestige occasion.

Stoute's first thoughts were of the bittersweet nature of the moment. "Lord Weinstock would have simply loved this," he said. "He was so looking forward to seeing this horse race this year. The Eclipse Stakes last month had been the first target, but he had a slight setback. It is just so sad that he could not be here."

It was a tremendous training performance by Stoute to produce Golan to win after an absence of 244 days from the crucible of public competition. The colt's last run had been his sixth in the Japan Cup – before that, he had finished fourth in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. His Paris conqueror, Sakhee, was a late withdrawal yesterday, along with High Pitched and Millenary, because of the fast ground. Aquarelliste, who finished second in Paris, was only fourth this time.

Stoute was not unaware of the excellence of his professional achievement, but immediately deflected the credit, singling out Golan's lad James Savage, work rider Roy Carter, and the stable's head man Tony Crombie for praise. "Getting a horse to the races is a team effort," the trainer said, "and particularly so on this occasion, which was always going to be a tough assignment. We did our best and this horse is one who helps you every inch along the way."

Fallon concurred, saying: "The horse is tough and he wanted to win the race. I don't know why, because he usually pricks his ears and thinks he has done enough when he gets to the front. But this time his head was down and he wanted it."

In the preliminaries, Golan, who was not carrying an ounce of surplus flesh, was clearly on good terms with life. His cheery exuberance was in contrast to the demeanour of the disappointing fifth-placed favourite, Grandera, who was humping his quarters and lashing out crossly, and Aquarelliste, who dug her toes in mulishly and had to be reversed towards the parade ring.

Lord Weinstock sold a half-share in Golan to Coolmore Stud last year and persuaded the Co Tipperary juggernaut that the colt should race this season before retiring to stand alongside his sire, Spectrum. No plans for the rest of the year have yet be formulated – "he is effective from a mile to a mile and a half," said Stoute – but Coolmore's interest in him gives the Irish operation, which also has the crack three-year-olds High Chaparral, Hawk Wing and Rock Of Gibraltar, a strong hand for the rest of the campaign.

Whatever Golan's fate for the rest of the season, his stable has one to keep hearts warm for the winter in the juvenile filly Russian Rhythm, who was an impressive winner of the Princess Margaret Stakes and is now the latest favourite for next year's 1,000 Guineas. The chestnut – a big, quality individual – quickened on demand going to the final furlong of the six-furlong Group Three contest and strode a length and a half clear of Royal Ascot runner-up Luvah Girl, with the third horse Nasij a full five lengths adrift. Fallon did not have to get in any way serious with her and the performance takes her, pro tem, to the top of her age-and-sex leaderboard.

"The Guineas is a long way away," said Stoute, "but we like her a lot. She's a well-developed filly, with a great middle and strength behind the saddle, and has always looked the part. She has been comfortable with her work from early on."

Russian Rhythm, carries the colours of the Cheveley Park Stud, one of the few British-based operations able to challenge the hegemony of Godolphin and Coolmore. Her 440,000 guineas price tag reflects her impeccable lineage, as she is related to top-class fillies Park Appeal, Desirable and Alydaress.