Ascot on agenda for George

George Washington could be back in action at Royal Ascot after his surprise return to training.

The mercurial colt was retired to stud at the end of last season, but problems with his fertility have resulted in him rejoining trainer Aidan O’Brien’s team at Ballydoyle.

Last year’s 2000 Guineas and QEII Stakes hero is currently stabled away from the rest of O’Brien’s string in an isolation yard as he readjusts to life away from the covering shed.

“He’s still there, so I haven’t seen much of him yet,” said O’Brien. “We need to reintroduce him to other horses two or three at time – that’s the way it is at the moment, which is natural enough.

“I would imagine it (his reappearance) would be at Ascot for something like the Queen Anne Stakes.”

George Washington gained a reputation for being something of a character during his Classic campaign, most notably when he refused to enter the winner’s enclosure at Newmarket after his Guineas victory.

However, O’Brien felt his attitude was improving towards the end of last term.

He explained: “His mind gets unravelled and put back together again. I’ve always thought he was mentally immature, but as the year went on he got better.

“I haven’t had one come back to me from stud before so it will be interesting to see how he takes to it again now.”

Although George Washington’s breeding career has been curtailed this year, connections have not given up hope of him returning to stud in the future.

O’Brien added: “He has got about six mares in foal and they were towards the end (of his spell at stud) so I think there’s a chance it may sort itself out next year.”