Doyen grabs King George glory

Doyen was a brilliant winner of the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot today.

The four-year-old, giving trainer Saeed Bin Suroor his fifth success in the midsummer middle-distance championship, stormed home under Frankie Dettori in the Godolphin colours.

The American raider Hard Buck ran a tremendous race to hold on for second ahead of Godolphin’s second string Sulamani.

Dettori took the 11-10 favourite to the front two furlongs out, after which the result was never in doubt, and he crossed the line three lengths clear of 33-1 outsider Hard Buck, ridden by Gary Stevens and a first Ascot runner for American trainer Kenny McPeek.

Sulamani (7-1), ridden by Australian Kerrin McEvoy, was a head away third.

Godolphin’s third string Lunar Sovereign set a steady gallop in the early stages with Hard Buck, Warrsan and Doyen in close attendance.

There was little change in the order as the field approached the straight except that Lunar Sovereign stole a three-length advantage.

The pack quickly closed in and it was Doyen who cruised to the front to stamp his authority on the race.

Hard Buck kept on gamely, with Sulamani staying on for third and Gamut fourth.