Late Move Carries King of Gosford to Shoemaker Mile Win

Since arriving in the United States early last year, King of Gosford (GB) has steadily risen up the ranks. The patience by his connections was rewarded May 26 as his powerful late move carried the 4-year-old Zoustar (AUS) colt to victory in the $302,000 Shoemaker Mile Stakes (G1T) at Santa Anita Park. Winning the Shoemaker Mile had been the ultimate goal for trainer Phil D'Amato when the Mathis Mile Stakes (G2T) winner returned from a four-month layoff April 20 in the American Stakes (G3T). Jockey Flavien Prat found himself stalking Cabo Spirit's pace in that spot with King of Gosford, never able to make a dent in the leader's hold while chasing second throughout. That did not discourage D'Amato as it set up perfectly for a different scenario this time. "I think Flavien learned a little bit of something in defeat last time about making his move," D'Amato told Santa Anita's Michelle Yu in the winner's circle. "He knew and I knew that going into that last race, it was a tune-up for this one, and it worked out well." Prat timed the ride to perfection. Not needing to prompt Cabo Spirit, who this time yielded the lead to Goliad, King of Gosford settled toward the rear of the field. Goliad went quickly, setting fractions of :22.92 and :45.68 while a few lengths clear of Cabo Spirit. Prat began to move as they entered the far turn, getting a jump on favored Formidable Man, who King of Gosford was second to in the Hollywood Derby (G1T) last fall. Cabo Spirit took command with a furlong to run and embraced the challenge of Mi Hermano Ramon. Meanwhile, King of Gosford was picking up steam in the middle of the course and thundered on by just in time, winning by a head. Mi Hermano Ramon got the better of Cabo Spirit by a nose for the runner-up position. King of Gosford stopped the clock in 1:33.52, paying $10.80 to win. Bred in Great Britain by The Miss Sugars Partnership, named for his stakes-winning dam Miss Sugars (GB), King of Gosford had been a $37,298 purchase at the 2022 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale by Andrew Oliver. He made the first six starts of his career in Europe, winning once. Prior to his 3-year-old season in 2024, King of Gosford was purchased and imported to the United States by Benowitz Family Trust, CYBT, Saul Gevertz, Michael Nentwig, and Jeremy Peskoff. Under D'Amato's care, he won his first three American starts while picking up two stakes victories. As the competition improved, he continued to perform well, finishing off the board just once from 11 stateside starts. "It's the best; to win the Shoemaker Mile with a horse like this that we imported for not a lot of money," Nentwig told FanDuel TV's Scott Hazleton. "Phil made him a grade 1 winner. It's the best feeling in the world."