Watch: Adayar wins King George, earns Breeders' Cup berth
Adayar delivered a dominant performance to win the 2021 running of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes under a perfect ride from William Buick at Ascot.
The one mile, three-furlong, 211-yard race was a “win-and-you’re-in” for the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar in November.
Having travelled powerfully in the early stages of the race, Adayar, who went off the 5-2 second choice, swept past leader Broome as they turned for home and surged clear of the runner-up Mishriff with 3-5 favorite Love trailing back in third.
It was a first win in the race for trainer Charlie Appleby and a fifth success for owners Godolphin, with Adayar following in the steps of Swain, Daylami and Doyen. The son of Frankel became the first Derby winner since Galileo in 2001 to follow up in the King George and he confirmed himself as one of the best middle-distance horses in training.
Adayar’s victory completed a double for Appleby after he had won the opening Pat Eddery Stakes with New Science also ridden by Buick and it was a triple on the day for the jockey as he won the valuable Moet & Chandon International Stakes on Danyah.