“Pyledriver is the best horse I've ever had anything to do with and gave us so many fantastic days,” said co-trainer William Muir. “From day one he never let us down; brilliant temperament, went on any ground, clean winded and super sound. The only issue he ever had was caused by another horse leaning on him in that race in Saudi. It'll be a very sad day when he leaves the yard but I think he'll continue to excel in his new career.”

Bred by Knox and Wells, Ltd., he was a 10,000gns buy-back at the 2017 Tattersalls December Foal Sale and went into training with Muir and Chris Grassick in the colours of the La Pyle Partnership. A debut winner as a juvenile at Salisbury in 2019, he earned a listed victory later that year. Pyledriver then was second in the G3 Classic Trial and won the G2 Great Voltigeur prior to a run in the G1 Derby. He bounced back later that year to take the G2 King Edward VII S. and was also Classic-placed when third in the G1 St Leger.

Never worse than second in four 4-year-old starts, Pyledriver won the Coronation Cup after running second in the G2 Jockey Club S., and later in the year was second by just a length in the G1 Hong Kong Vase.

After a trip to Saudi Arabia and a fourth in Meydan's G1 Dubai Sheema Classic to kickstart his 5-year-old campaign, he was second defending his Coronation Cup crown prior to trouncing a quality field in the King George. This term, he won the G2 Hardwicke S. in good style at Royal Ascot and was fifth in another King George. His record stands at 20-8-4-1 and $2,606,075 in earnings.

“Pyledriver is a fine big horse, with plenty of quality about him, a great colour and a very good walk,” said Robert McCarthy who went to inspect him. “He was a terrific racehorse and he's a complete outcross for the majority of National Hunt mares here in Ireland.”

Pyledriver is the first foal out of the dual winner La Pyle, herself a half-sister to G1 Grand Prix de Paris winner Mont Ormel (Fr) (Air Chief Marshal {Ire}) and a full-sister to G3 Park Express S. heroine Normandel (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}).

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Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) is no ordinary Derby winner either, displaying pace as he closed out the Blue Riband that can only be described as phenomenal. Thankfully, the deification of speed confined solely to distances no further than 10 furlongs can now be dispelled given that we can see the evidence of what a colt like Ballydoyle's newest star can do over this sacred trip of a mile and a half. For too long, a colt with the immense commercial significance of Auguste Rodin wouldn't have been here for this race, yet here he is.

Despite the unflattering visuals of his finish to the Irish Derby, Auguste Rodin was quick there too but what he doesn't need is soft ground, as we found out at Newmarket. Ascot's midweek rain has ensured that the surface is not going to be conducive to the kind of alacrity that he has shown in his two Derbys, yet connections have never wavered in their commitment to be present in this great event. Friday's two course-and-distance handicaps were slowly-run, but still they were completed in times between :11 and :12 seconds slower than standard, so that's what we are dealing with. Even if the surface dries ahead of Saturday afternoon, Auguste Rodin will have to produce something extra as he seeks dominion over his elders.

“The better the ground, the better it will suit him,” Aidan O'Brien said. “We wouldn't want it getting any worse. He's a beautiful mover, he doesn't raise his feet much. We'll definitely walk the track, obviously.”

Ryan Moore added, “This race is as good as it gets in recent years and certainly in terms of depth, even with the no-shows. We'd like to think Auguste Rodin is towards the top of the list of the most likely winners though and [it was] a strong Derby, [so] we expect him to be very competitive here.”

Irish Derby (G1)
2.410 m – 1.250.000 EUR – for 3yo colts
Curragh

Auguste Rodin (IRE)
(3C Deep Impact – Rhododendron , by Galileo)
J : Ryan Moore
T:A.P. O'Brien
O: M Tabor & D Smith & Mrs J Magnier & Westerberg
B : @coolmorestudpic.twitter.com/zvVpvLf7Nd

— (@WorldRacing1) July 2, 2023

Kings And Queens Of Speed

What makes this King George especially strong is the presence of multiple runners able to produce outstanding time performances, not least the physical giant King Of Steel (Wootton Bassett {GB}) whose blast from three to two out in the Derby was undeniably that of a top-class 3-year-old. He might have been getting tired due to lack of match-fitness as the O'Brien runner outstayed him at the death, but his stamina for this trip is not as-yet fully proven given that his G2 King Edward VII S. success was gained off a notably moderate pace. A day before King Of Steel put in that powerful sectional in the Derby, Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) had blown by a significant peer in Westover (GB) (Frankel {GB}) over the same course and distance to win the G1 Coronation Cup with the killer blow being her rapid :10.52 split to two out. Only the very best can explode in that manner, even allowing for the speed-inducing nature of Epsom at that point of the race, while Westover went to the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud next time and ran a hole in the wind.

Horses For Courses and Points To Prove

   Ascot is very much a track that sees horses that have performed there come back time and again, so that bodes well for last year's winner Pyledriver (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}) who boasts a perfect record in a total of three course-and-distance runs. Emily Upjohn and Westover were caught out by the initial downhill run from the stalls in this 12 months ago, with the former over-racing under restraint and the latter charging off too fast through the early stages. The Gosdens' filly has returned in the interim to win a G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares S. on ground a touch worse than this, so she has little to prove while Westover looks a more tractable character at four and should have a strong pace to slip behind this time.

That exacting tempo provided by the runaway version of Westover and the Ballydoyle stalwart Broome (Ire) (Australia {GB}) last year should be in evidence again given the presence of Bolshoi Ballet (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Point Lonsdale (Ire) (Australia {GB}), so the race set-up will tell us just how good Pyledriver really is. For a horse that is always prone to being slightly under-valued by the press, the indomitable 6-year-old is some achiever and Willie Muir is undaunted by this test.

“We'll go there and run our race and see how good everyone else is,” he said. “They've all got great credentials, they're all horses that have been out and proved themselves this year. They're all there to go and have a go.”

As it stands, PYLEDRIVER is heading to this year's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes!

Let's relive his incredible winning performance last year.

Enjoy. pic.twitter.com/Cru0n1OUts

— Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) July 19, 2023

Free Hit For Hukum

Days before Baaeed (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) brought his brilliant 3-year-old campaign to a dramatic climax, his full-brother Hukum (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) was annihilating his rivals over this course and distance in a soft-ground G3 Cumberland Lodge S. having been subdued by Hamish (GB) (Motivator {GB}) in the G3 September S. a month earlier. At that point, we were talking about a nice horse who had limitations, possibly a Group 3 bully, but then he blew away Pyledriver in the Coronation Cup last June and we had to have a re-set. That was the case again on his belated next start when upsetting Desert Crown (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) in the G3 Brigadier Gerard S. at Sandown in May, so what can we expect of Shadwell's low-mileage veteran in a humdinger such as this?

Angus Gold is unsure. “It looks a fabulous race, let's hope it lives up to its billing. Now it's just a question of getting luck in running and whether he's good enough,” he said. “We've obviously won the King George before with Taghrooda and Nashwan and it's always been a huge race. It was the most important race of the summer when I was growing up and people of my generation still consider it a very important race, so it's lovely to have a horse in with a chance.”

Is Luxembourg The Forgotten Horse?

Prior to being jumped by Mostahdaf (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) in the G1 Prince of Wales's S., Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) was one of this race's key favourites. While it is hard to forgive that effort given how intense this affair is going to be, the fact is that the G1 Irish Champion S. and G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup hero was one of four who ran far below their best alongside Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), My Prospero (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) and Bay Bridge (GB) (New Bay {GB}) for unexplained reasons. What is clear from all evidence is that he is made for this trip and while for all that he isn't Auguste Rodin he could be a Dylan Thomas or Duke Of Marmalade and that is usually enough.

“He'll love a mile and a half and will get the trip very well,” Aidan O'Brien said. “It's a race we were always looking at with him and we thought it was going to suit. He's solid, has had his two runs and he's ready.”

Ryan Moore has had to go elsewhere this time, but he is acutely aware of his threat. “Luxembourg is also a proper Group 1 horse and he has unfinished business at this trip after an inconclusive run in very deep ground in the Arc,” he said. “A win for him wouldn't surprise me at all.” Intriguingly, one of the best judges in any of the world's weighing rooms is also looking further afield for the most credible threat to Auguste Rodin. “I'd be most wary of Emily Upjohn, who I probably think has the best form coming into the race after her second to Paddington in the Eclipse,” he offered up on his Betfair blog.

Hamish Doubt

William Haggas on Friday warned that the multiple Group 3 winner Hamish is unlikely to line up if the ground worsens further. “Hamish will only run if it rains properly, otherwise he won't,” he said. “He's not going to run on good-to-soft, but there's rain around and who knows? If it came up proper soft, that's what he wants and in this company he needs it really soft or heavy, not only for him but also to maybe blunt some of the others' ability.”

York Boost For My Prospero?

While William Haggas readies to pull the Somerville Lodge pet Hamish from Ascot's showpiece, he has important business in his native Yorkshire as My Prospero (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) bids to get back on track in the G2 York S. One of the four flops in Royal Ascot's G1 Prince of Wales's S. and possibly the most disappointing given his upside heading to that contest, Sunderland Holding's G2 Prix Eugene Adam winner who went so close in the G1 Champion S. has the ideal opportunity to rebuild here.

“It's one of those races, but he's very well and he should go well,” his trainer said. “I was a bit disappointed with his run at Ascot, he's definitely better than that I think, but Saturday will tell us because he needs to be shaping up well here.”

Heading the opposition to My Prospero is Shadwell's Alflaila (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}), another Owen Burrows special who took the G3 Strensall S. and G3 Darley S. at the end of his 3-year-old campaign. “It's his first start since October, but he was a progressive horse last year,” Angus Gold said. “The funny thing with him is he's by Dark Angel and out of an Oasis Dream (GB) mare and yet he stays a mile well and even a mile and a furlong. We're going up again in trip to a mile and a quarter, but I don't see that being a problem, it's more a question of how rusty he is. He had quite an injury obviously, but he's been sound and everything since he's been back in training and we didn't rush him and targeted this race. It's a trappy little contest and he'll need to be at his best, but it will just be nice to get him back on the track.”

A Study Of Symbology

On Ascot's card, the six-furlong G3 Princess Margaret S. sees Isa Salman Al Khalifa's exciting Symbology (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) bid to back up the impression of her debut win at York a fortnight ago. Trainer Clive Cox is happy to jump straight into pattern company with the half-sister to El Caballo (GB) (Havana Gold {Ire}).

“This is a huge step forwards in comparison, but this is a filly we like very much,” he said. “We've been having a really pleasing run with the 2-year-olds and that was another pleasing success in a week where we'd won the July S. and had a double at Doncaster as well, so it gave us a good feel.”

Surprisingly, Highclere Thoroughbred Racing's G3 Albany S. third Soprano (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) is declared, despite having been third to Shuwari (Ire) (New Bay {GB}) in Thursday's Listed Star S.

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Aidan O'Brien removed two of his back-up entries Broome (Ire) (Australia {GB}) and Adelaide River (Ire) (Australia {GB}), leaving four from the stable headed by the dual Derby hero Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) under Ryan Moore. As far as his draw is concerned, it was far from bad news for connections with the race's key 3-year-old in the widest stall. Ascot's renowned bias for middle to high numbers over this mile-and-a-half trip is even more pronounced on ground as easy as looks certain to prevail for Saturday's behemoth contest. There have been very few King Georges with double-figure fields of late, but it is notable that Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}), Poet's Word (Ire) (Poet's Voice {GB}) and Postponed (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) were all posted wide in years when there were more than six runners.

Ascot's heavy overnight rain turned the ground officially to soft on Thursday and with the prospect of more scattered showers to interrupt any drying effect, this year's renewal could be tough going for some but not for the likes of Shadwell's Hukum (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). Not best drawn in four, the 6-year-old full-brother to Baaeed (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) could nevertheless start favourite as the least likely of the race's big contenders to be inconvenienced by easy conditions. Jockey Jim Crowley is happy with the ground, but said, “He's in good form and I just want good-to-soft or good, no one wants heavy for any horse,” he said.

Hukum is next to Amo Racing's Derby runner-up and G2 King Edward VII S. winner and other 3-year-old presence King Of Steel (Wootton Bassett {GB}) in three, while the G1 Coronation Cup one-two Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and Westover (GB) (Frankel {GB}) fared better in eight and 10, respectively. Ballydoyle's quartet includes the G1 Irish Champion S. and G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup hero Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) in stall one, with Seamie Heffernan reunited with him for the first time since the 2021 G2 Beresford S., while Adam Kirby has been booked for Point Lonsdale (Ire) (Australia {GB}) in stall five. He is next to last year's winner Pyledriver (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}) in the middle in six, with Hamish (GB) (Motivator {GB}) in seven. In a twist, Desert Crown's regular rider Richard Kingscote, who was due to be replaced by William Buick on the subsequently-withdrawn Stoute luminary, has been booked for the Haggas's veteran mud-lover.

King Of Steel's owner Kia Joorabchian is relishing taking part in such a deep contest. “This is going to be one of the best races for centuries,” he said. “He's been fantastic, but I hope the ground doesn't get too heavy and we'll see a much more realistic race if it's not. He runs on both types of ground and for a big horse is light on his feet and loves his racing. He's still three, so whatever happens at the weekend he has a long way to go and the end target is the Breeders' Cup.”

Clerk of the Course Chris Stickels is expecting a slight firming up of conditions and said, “There is a chance of a passing shower–a light shower today and an occasional shower possible on both Friday and Saturday–but we are not talking about much volume of rainfall, so I expect conditions to improve a little, given a breezy and warmer forecast, with temperatures between 21C (70F) and 24C (75F).”

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Riding a two-race winning streak after taking Epsom's Blue Riband last month and the Irish equivalent for the Coolmore partners, Auguste Rodin beat stable-mate Adelaide River (Ire) (Australia {GB}) in the latter. He will aim to emulate former Coolmore kingpin Galileo (Ire) with a victory in the King George after winning two Derbys.

“He's on that programme, and so far, everything is going well [for the King George],” O'Brien told the Nick Luck Daily podcast on Wednesday,

The aforementioned Adelaide River enters off another strong second-place effort in the G1 Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp on June 14. He is joined by Group 1-winning older horses Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), Broome (Ire) (Australia {GB}), and Bolshoi Ballet (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), while the G2 Huxley S. hero and Group 1-placed Point Lonsdale (Ire) (Australia {GB}) is another possible runner.

“Luxembourg is a very strong possible at the moment,” O'Brien continued. “Point Lonsdale is a strong possible at the moment. Broome, like I said, he could go [for the King George], and probably will go to Goodwood for the two miles [G1 Goodwood Cup S. on Aug. 1]. Bolshoi Ballet is a very strong possible. And then, obviously, Auguste Rodin and Adelaide River, we'd have to see how he [Adelaide River] came out of the race [G1 Grand Prix de Paris] and give him a little bit of time to see before we make any decision about him.”

O'Brien also provided an update on likely G1 Sussex S. runner Paddington (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}), who will potentially represent the Coolmore partners in the G1 Cox Plate in the autumn.

He said, “Everything went well since [the Eclipse], and is at the moment. He's on that plan and that programme [for the Sussex] at the moment.”

The Coolmore partners also have five of the nine fillies currently entered in Saturday's G1 Juddmonte Irish Oaks. G3 Cheshire Oaks heroine and G1 Oaks runner-up Savethelastdance (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), G2 Ribblesdale S. victress Warm Heart (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Be Happy (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) were pleasing the Rosegreen handler particularly. He also has listed winner Library (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and winner Lambada (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) signed on.

“I suppose, we have three very strong fillies in there,” O'Brien added. “Obviously, the filly [Savethelastdance] from Chester we think is very well. This has always been her programme. And then the filly [Warm Heart] who won at Ascot. We weren't sure that stepping up the a mile and a half would suit her, but it obviously improved her.

“Another filly called Be Happy which we have always thought a lot of, [is in the race]. She was withdrawn at the last minute from the Oaks and we had her ready to run again, and she got an infection in her foot. The last three weeks everything has been very good with her. The plan is that is where she is going now at the moment, as well.”

Pair Of Contenders Pleasing Connections In Latest King George Works

Saeed Suhail's 2022 Derby winner Desert Crown (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) also remains in contention for the Ascot showpiece. Off for over a year with an ankle injury, the 4-year-old ran second in the G3 Brigadier Gerard S. at Sandown earlier this season. Another minor setback kept the Sir Michael Stoute trainee out of Royal Ascot and a run in the G1 Prince of Wales's S., but he pleased his connections in a work at Newmarket on Wednesday morning.

Suhail's racing manager, Bruce Raymond, said, “He worked this morning and Ryan [Moore] rode him. Michael was very pleased with him and I think there is a good chance he will go to Ascot.

“He worked nicely. It was a pleasing gallop. I can't say he is certain for the race, but everyone was very happy with him. There's a good chance he will go to Ascot.”

Already a winner of the King George in 2022, two-time Group 1 scorer Pyledriver (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}) also remains among the entries. He decisively won the G2 Hardwicke S. at Royal Ascot in June for co-trainers William Muir and Chris Grassick in the colours of the La Pyle Partnership.

“He just did want we wanted and we were delighted with him,” said Muir of the 6-year-old's Newbury gallop.

“It was not a serious, hard gallop, it was just a day out really. He goes to Newbury, has a warm-up little canter and then covers the distance, that's all. He did great. We're keeping our fingers crossed and we're in good shape. Fingers crossed we'll be there at Ascot.”

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In front a furlong out, the Willie Muir and Chris Grassick-trained 6-year-old ducked left and then right away from his rider's whip and caused significant interference to Changingoftheguard in the closing stages as a result. After an inquiry, the result was left as it was, which was Pyledriver 1 1/4 lengths ahead of TDN Rising Star West Wind Blows with Changingoftheguard a length away in fourth.

Pyledriver – back with a bang!

The King George hero lands the Hardwicke on his return at #RoyalAscot for PJ McDonald and @Muir_Grassick… pic.twitter.com/SjNeJ9mDST

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 24, 2023

Easy to write off initially due to his modest connections, Pyledriver has made a point throughout his career of defying the doubters, most notably before the King George in the previous year's G1 Coronation Cup. Also successful in the 2020 G2 Great Voltigeur S., he was third going too far in the G1 St Leger where he veered away from Martin Dwyer's whip and was second in the 2021 G1 Hong Kong Vase and an unlucky loser when fourth in last year's G1 Dubai Sheema Classic.

This was a momentous comeback marred only by McDonald's snap decision to use the whip in the closing stages, but an emotional Willie Muir was looking only at the positives. “I know how much this horse will improve. Yes he rolled around, but he was on fumes. I knew he was a class horse and I knew he would be competitive–he never knows when to chuck it in, but I did think match-fitness might catch us out. We will see how he is tonight, tomorrow, the next day, but the King George will be next all being well. This is what we dream to have horses like this. The owners were offered fortunes for him as a 3-year-old and they have been so loyal to the horse.”

McDonald added, “When he hits the front, he always runs around and it just goes to show how much ability he has that he's not concentrating on running in a straight line. I haven't sat on this horse since last year's King George and what a performance to get this fella back today. Today was only ever a starting point moving forward to the King George, so to get the win under his belt is a massive bonus. We have a superstar horse, I just need to keep him in a straight line!”

Ed Crisford said of West Wind Blows, “I think there you can say he definitely stays a mile and a half, because there have always been these question marks but he kept running true to the line there. I would say that's his career-best performance and he really showed himself, up against some of the best horses over this trip.”
Changingoftheguard's trainer Aidan O'Brien said, “He ran very well and we are delighted with his run. We will see how he is–obviously he is entered in the King George and all those races.”

Pedigree Notes
Pyledriver is the first foal out of La Pyle, a full-sister to the G3 Park Express S. winner Normandel (Fr) and a half to the G1 Grand Prix de Paris hero Mont Ormel (Fr) (Air Chief Marshal {Ire}). She is also kin to Lillebonne (Fr) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), the dam of the Listed El Gran Senor S. winner and G2 Kilboy Estate S. runner-up Seisai (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), the Listed Glencairn S. winner Maganimous (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), the G3 Irish St Leger Trial-placed Micro Manage (Ire) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) and the G2 Debutante S. third Thornbrook (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}).

La Pyle, whose 3-year-old filly Shagpyle (GB) (Frankel {GB}) looks a decent type who won here on debut last month, is a granddaughter of Lidakiya (Ire) (Kahyasi {Ire}) who produced the G1 Grosser Dallmayr-Preis and G1 Premio Vittorio di Capua-winning sire Linngari (Ire) (Indian Ridge {Ire}) and is kin to the triple listed scorer and G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup runner-up Livadiya (Ire) (Shernazar {Ire}). La Pyle's yearling filly is by Kingman (GB).

Saturday, Royal Ascot, Britain
HARDWICKE S.-G2, £250,000, Ascot, 6-24, 4yo/up, 11f 211yT, 2:29.60, g/f.
1–PYLEDRIVER (GB), 129, h, 6, by Harbour Watch (Ire)
1st Dam: La Pyle (Fr), by Le Havre (Ire)
2nd Dam: Lidana (Ire), by King's Best
3rd Dam: Lidakiya (Ire), by Kahyasi (Ire)
(10,000gns RNA Wlg '17 TATFOA). O-La Pyle Partnership; B-Knox & Wells Ltd & R Devlin (GB); T-William Muir & Chris Grassick; J-P J McDonald. £141,775. Lifetime Record: MG1SW-Eng & G1SP-HK, 19-8-4-1, $2,562,866. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–West Wind Blows (Ire), 129, g, 4, Teofilo (Ire)–West Wind (GB), by Machiavellian. O-Abdulla Al Mansoori; B-Godolphin (IRE); T-Simon & Ed Crisford. £53,750.
3–Changingoftheguard (Ire), 129, c, 4, Galileo (Ire)–Lady Lara (Ire), by Excellent Art (GB). O-Westerberg, Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor & D Smith; B-B V Sangster (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. £26,900.
Margins: 1 1/4, 1, HF. Odds: 3.50, 6.50, 7.00.
Also Ran: Deauville Legend (Ire), Free Wind (Ire), Grand Alliance (Ire), Ardakan (GB). Scratched: Hukum (Ire).

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A winner of the 2021 G1 Coronation Cup and 2022 G1 King George and Queen Elizabeth S., the 6-year-old entire races for the La Pyle Partnership. Various setbacks have kept Pyledriver away from the races after his King George victory last July.

Grassick said, “He's cantering back and William has done the entry for the Hardwicke, so that's the plan. Touch wood, everything is looking lovely, he looks great and strong.

“I think from there we would be going to the King George and after that it would be just how he comes out of each race. He remains in good form and hopefully if he remains as good as last year, then we will have a big year again.

“He's slowly becoming a bit of a fan favourite. He's developing a bit of a following now because he comes back year in, year out, so hopefully he can keep going and get the results he deserves both for himself and the owners.”

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Last seen winning the G1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth S., the William Muir and Chris Grassick-trained 6-year-old has been on the bench since that victory. He claimed the 2021 Listed Churchill S. over 10 furlongs at that track, defeating fellow Winter Derby entry Harrovian (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}).

John and Thady Gosden's Lord North was runner-up in the 2022 Winter Derby to Alenquer (Fr) (Adlerflug {Ger}). He then tied with Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) in the G1 Dubai Turf in March, before running off-the-board in a trio of Group 1s–the Tattersalls Gold Cup (fourth to Alenquer), the Prince Of Wales's S. (fifth to State Of Rest {Ire} {Starspangledbanner [Aus]}), and the Eclipse S. at Sandown in July, where he was fourth to Vadeni (Fr) (Churchill {Ire}).

Another signed on for the Winter Derby is Charlie Johnston's Living Legend (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), who won the G2 Jockey Club S. in 2022. He was most recently second in the G2 Princess Of Wales's S. in July.

Trainer Charlie Johnston said, “We have given Living Legend a BetUK Winter Derby entry and he has also been nominated for the Amir Trophy in Qatar, which takes place the week before.

“Plans are fluid at the moment. We would ultimately love to take him back to Newcastle for the Easter Classic, although with the way the programme book has fallen this year, it is going to make it difficult to qualify unless we win the Winter Derby.

“The Magnolia S. and Finals Day were three weeks apart last year, whereas this year it is only a six-day gap due to Easter falling earlier, which makes having three qualifying runs very difficult.

“There is plenty to think about and we will decide whether we go for the Winter Derby or take up the Qatar option nearer the time.”

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The 5-year-old entire took the G1 Coronation Cup last year, and was fourth in the Sheema Classic this March. Second in defence of his Coronation Cup back at Epsom in June, he was last seen taking the G1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth S. by 2 3/4 lengths at Ascot on July 23.

Injury ruled out the bay from contesting the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, as well as trips to the Breeders' Cup at Keeneland and the Longines Hong Kong International Races in October, November and December, respectively.

Muir said, “He's back on track now and we're starting to get him ready for his Sheema Classic run. He started cantering back last week, he's moving beautifully and looks a million dollars.

“It's quite exciting to see him back up on the gallop as you know you've got another good one out there. He looks fantastic.

“I was gutted to miss those big races, but we had to do what was right for him and in the end we found he had something deep seated in his foot, which has now come out and everything is fine.”

Dubai will likely not be Pyledriver's 6-year-old bow, as Muir and Grassick are mulling starts over the all-weather.

“There's a possibility we could run in the Winter Derby Trial or the Winter Derby, depending how he comes,” Muir added. “I wouldn't set that in stone, but it's in the back of my mind.

“I know the Lingfield races are a mile and a quarter, but if he ran in one of those it wouldn't be the be all and end all–it would be more of a prep run before he goes to Dubai.”

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“The Breeders' Cup [Turf] is after the Arc, so basically the Arc is next on the agenda and once you've won that race, you have a free entry to the Japan Cup, same as the Breeders' Cup, same as Hong Kong,” said Muir. “We can't do them all. It is impossible to do everything.”

A firm decision on where the 5-year-old entire goes after France will be made by Muir, his co-trainer Chris Grassick, injured regular jockey Martin Dwyer, and Pyledriver's owners.

Muir said, “The three owners and me, and definitely Martin–even though he is not riding, he is a big part of this horse's journey–will decide where we go after the Arc. The Breeders' Cup is possible. We will have a meeting and discuss which way we go, but the Arc is next.”

Ridden by PJ McDonald on Saturday, Pyledriver pleased Muir on Sunday morning.

Muir added, “He is grand, really good this morning. He has come out of the race well, he is very happy. I was out with him about 5 a.m. this morning and he is fine.”

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PYLEDRIVER wins the 2022 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes! pic.twitter.com/7eSRfn8jJA

— Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) July 23, 2022

Back on Dubai World Cup night, a King George win for Pyledriver would not have looked as much of a surprise as it did on Saturday afternoon, with Frankie Dettori locked up on the rail until too late in the G1 Dubawi Sheema Classic. Only fourth but widely considered unlucky not to win there, he looked to have a Coronation Cup repeat in the bag until Hukum (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) intervened and he ended up soundly beaten there ridden from the front by Dettori. This was a return to his previous best when upstaging Al Aasy (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) at Epsom last June and when second in the G1 Hong Kong Vase during a light 2021 campaign. Willie Muir had stated after his G2 King Edward VII S. and G2 Great Voltigeur S. successes at three that he would win one of these “big ones” and while the team at Linkslade Stables have had to be patient, it finally paid off in spades in one of the very biggest.

Westover's race may well have been run before he left the paddock, having got noticeably warm, while Emily Upjohn refused to settle beyond halfway and Mishriff did his now-familiar trick of handing his rivals a few lengths headstart with another tardy break. Pyledriver was the spriteliest away, but P J McDonald was keen to wait on the Irish Derby winner and Broome to come forward and provide him with a lead that the latest Epsom experience proved is vital. Torquator Tasso was the only other rival running his race in behind, but as Colin Keane started to give out the warning signals on Westover turning for home the German raider was too far out of his ground to make a serious impact on the eventual winner. Killing the race with a swift sectional from the two to the one, Pyledriver even had the energy to swerve from the whip close home as he had done when third in the St Leger.

“Today, we smashed them to pieces,” Muir added. “I actually wrote the papers for you boys tomorrow. I said 'If Pyledriver wins, the line is a poor bunch of three-year-olds again. If the three-year-olds win, a great crop'. They are a great crop, the three-year-olds. He is just a very, very talented horse and I've never lost faith in him. In our second or third year, we had a horse who came here and won a five-furlong race and we were partying in the car park for ages. When Pyledriver won the King Edward VII a couple of years ago, we would still be in the car park today if we'd been able to but we couldn't because of Covid. This is a big, big moment. It means the world to me.”

P J McDonald was quick to point to the 5-year-old's currently-sidelined regular rider Martin Dwyer. “I feel so sorry for Martin, these horses are so hard to come by,” he said. “It happened to me getting injured when I had Laurens and I know what it feels like and what will be going through his head. He's an absolute gent and so supportive of me. He's helped me out so much over the last week. For me, these are days you don't think are going to happen. You work hard and sometimes think these chances aren't going to come and this one came to me by luck. I'm so grateful to the William and the team and to this horse. That was as smooth as it can be. The horse filled himself up going up the hill before the turn in and I just sat on him and I knew he was going to take some beating soon after. He was amazing.”

Pyledriver may have been unsold at 10,000gns at the 2017 Tattersalls December Foal Sale, but he is the first foal out of a well-connected mare in La Pyle (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}), who is a full-sister to the G3 Park Express S. winner Normandel (Fr) and a half to the G1 Grand Prix de Paris hero Mont Ormel (Fr) (Air Chief Marshal {Ire}). She is also kin to Lillebonne (Fr) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), the dam of the Listed El Gran Senor S. winner and G2 Kilboy Estate S. runner-up Seisai (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), the Listed Glencairn S. winner Maganimous (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), the G3 Irish St Leger Trial-placed Micro Manage (Ire) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) and the promising recent Leopardstown maiden winner Thornbrook (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}). La Pyle, whose unraced 2-year-old filly Shagpyle (GB) is by Frankel (GB), is a granddaughter of Lidakiya (Ire) (Kahyasi {Ire}) who produced the G1 Grosser Dallmayr-Preis and G1 Premio Vittorio di Capua-winning sire Linngari (Ire) (Indian Ridge {Ire}) and is kin to the triple listed scorer and G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup runner-up Livadiya (Ire) (Shernazar {Ire}).

Saturday, Ascot, Britain
KING GEORGE VI AND QUEEN ELIZABETH QIPCO S.-G1, £1,250,000, Ascot, 7-23, 3yo/up, 11f 211yT, 2:29.49, g/f.
1–PYLEDRIVER (GB), 135, h, 5, by Harbour Watch (Ire)
     1st Dam: La Pyle (Fr), by Le Havre (Ire)
     2nd Dam: Lidana (Ire), by King's Best
     3rd Dam: Lidakiya (Ire), by Kahyasi (Ire)
(10,000gns RNA Wlg '17 TATFOA). O-La Pyle Partnership; B-Knox & Wells Limited & R Devlin (GB); T-William Muir & Chris Grassick; J-P J McDonald. £708,875. Lifetime Record: Ch. Older Horse-Eng at 11-14f, G1SP-HK, 18-7-4-1, $2,382,586. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Torquator Tasso (Ger), 135, h, 5, Adlerflug (Ger)–Tijuana (Ger), by Toylsome (GB). (€24,000 Ylg '18 BBAGO). O-Gestut Auenquelle; B-P H Vandeberg (GER); T-Marcel Weiss. £268,750.
3–Mishriff (Ire), 135, h, 5, Make Believe (GB)–Contradict (GB), by Raven's Pass. O-Prince A A Faisal; B-Nawara Stud Limited (IRE); T-John & Thady Gosden. £134,500.
Margins: 2 3/4, 8, 1 1/4. Odds: 18.00, 16.00, 2.50.
Also Ran: Broome (Ire), Westover (GB), Emily Upjohn (GB). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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