U.K.: Hukum wears out Westover, earns Breeders' Cup bid

Older horses ruled the Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth at Ascot Saturday morning, as 6-year-old Hukum wore down 4-year-old Westover after a thrilling stretch drive. With this victory, Hukum earned a berth in the Breeders' Cup Turf.

The top finisher among the 3-year-olds was King Edward VII (G2) winner King of Steel, who chased for third. Auguste Rodin, a heavy favorite after triumphs in both the Epsom Derby (G1) and the Irish Derby (G1) earlier this year, failed to respond when asked into the final turn and was eased home.

Point Lonsdale set the early pace while prompted by Bolshoi Ballet to the inside. Luxembourg tracked in close range. Meanwhile, Hukum chased midfield, biding his time.

Luxembourg carried a narrow lead into the lane, but Westover soon drove to the front between horses. King of Steel inside and Hukum outside loomed on Westover into the final furlong, but only Hukum kept pace late. They dueled, clearing the rest of the field, with Hukum gaining a narrow advantage in the final strides.

Westover crossed the line only a head behind Hukum. It was another 4 1/2 lengths back to King of Steel in third, with Luxembourg fourth another 3 1/4 lengths back. Pyledriver, Bolshoi Ballet, Emily Upjohn, Point Lonsdale, Deauville Legend and Auguste Rodin completed the order of finish.

Hukum stopped the clock in 2:33.95 for the mile and a quarter over turf rated good, good to soft in places. He was a 13/2 starting price in European markets, while he paid $15.00 to win in the World Pool.

A 6-year-old full brother to six-time Group 1 winner Baaeed, Hukum is trained by Owen Burrows for owner-breeder Shadwell Estate Company. Hukum began his 2023 campaign with a 1/2-length victory over 2022 Epsom Derby winner Desert Crown in the Brigadier Gerard (G3) at Sandown on May 25. That win was his first start since a 4 1/4-length victory over Pyledriver in the Coronation Cup (G1) at Epsom last year, his first top-level victory.

"He's out of his brother's shadow now," jockey Jim Crowley told ITV Racing from Hukum's back as he returned for the win photo. "A great training performance by Owen [Burrows], he was off a year. In fairness to Sheikha Hissa she persisted with him, brought him back into training. It would've been very easy to retire him after winning a Group 1, as a full-brother to Baaeed. She had faith in him and it's great. That was something special."

"I'm lost for words to say about this horse," Burrows said to ITV Racing after Hukum's victory. "He's been a huge part of my career, he was my first Royal Ascot winner, obviously first Group 1 winner and we ran him in Dubai after the sad passing of Sheikh Hamdan. So, to come back and do what he's done now, he's amazing."