Adayar completed an impressive double win last season in his three-year-old campaign, as not only did he win the Derby at Epsom, but he also then beat the older horses in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.
Connections of the son of Frankel announced that their horse would not appear at Royal Ascot this year. They are going to give him an extra month off before he makes his return to action.
This year’s King George could be one of the strongest renewals in recent years. Derby winner Desert Crown and Oaks heroine Tuesday both have entries. It is also set to feature 2021 St Leger winner Hurricane Lane, who is the +110 favorite in the Royal Ascot odds for the Hardwicke Stakes on what will be his long-awaited opening start of the season.
The Group One race is one of the highlights of the Flat calendar in the UK. Adayar is bidding to become just the fourth horse in history to prevail more than once. Enable was successful in back-to-back years in 2019 and 2020, Swain defended his crown in 1998, while Dahlia became the first repeat winner in 1974.
Clash of Last Two Derby Winners
A match-up between Adayar and Desert Crown is going to be one of the most fascinating angles to this year’s King George. Sir Michael Stoute’s runner stretched away from his rivals in the closing stages of the British Classic just like the 2021 champion did 12 months earlier.
Although his form faded at the back end of last season, Adayar is rated as high as 127, four pounds higher than his younger rival Desert Crown. The King George will be the chance for Charlie Appleby’s runner to establish himself as the leading 1m4f horse in the UK again.
The one concern the Godolphin team will have with their horse is fitness. Unlike many of his rivals in the race, he will be having his first start of the season. They will be hoping his freshness can play to his advantage.
Second Shot at The Arc in October
Whatever happens at Ascot, Adayar’s connections will be preparing their horse for a second shot at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in October. He had to settle for fourth place in the race in 2021 which was won by Torquator Tasso.
Appleby had made a fantastic start to the 2022 campaign. He will be hoping Adayar can help him continue his success on the track in the major international races. His horse also has an entry in the Irish Champions Stakes at Leopardstown in September, which could be his final appearance before the Arc.
The open-age European contest is regarded as one of the most prestigious races in the world. Appleby has yet to add his name to the honors board, but with Adayar, Hurricane Lane and Native Trail, he is set to have his strongest team yet in the Longchamp feature.
Adayar’s future beyond this season has not been decided yet. The four-year-old colt could be retired to stud where he will then embark on a breeding career. If that proved to be the case, this is his last chance this year to add to his legacy.