George Washington Rides Again

The Queen Anne Stakes (Gr.1) at a mile promised another “belter” (there was less than a length covering the “money” in all three of the big events) with the return from an infertile stint at stud last season of the Three Year Old Champion, George Washington.

Ramonti (left) re-rallies gamely (TDN/Horse Photos)While he came with his characteristic surge at the death, it wasn’t enough to catch Godolphin’s Italian Champion, Ramonti, whose start-to-finish style now puts him firmly among the foremost milers in the world. Ask us, we know, as our own Mullins Bay took him on at his own game in his own backyard in the Premio Ribot (Gr.2) just a few months back.

Mullins Bay and Mick GossIn the event, at a distance short of his best, Mullins Bay ran a cracker in second, as the outcome of today’s big race testified. As for “George”, his pre-race antics (not unusual for this fellow) didn’t help, nor did the lay-off, so he put up a grand show in the circumstances. He’ll be back, and next time, probably in the Sussex (which he won last year), he’ll have no excuses. Unless of course, he comes up against something out of the ordinary……