In a dramatic stretch run, King of Gosford (GB) unleashed a powerful late surge under a perfectly timed ride by Flavien Prat to capture the $300,000 Shoemaker Mile (G1) by a neck on Monday, May 26, 2025, at Santa Anita Park.
The 4-year-old British-bred colt, trained by Philip D’Amato, secured his first Grade 1 victory, marking a breakthrough in his racing career.
From the break, the race unfolded with intensity. Early on, Goliad and Cabo Spirit were prominent, setting swift fractions of 22.92 for the quarter-mile and 45.68 for the half-mile.
Meanwhile, King of Gosford was unhurried at the back, biding his time toward the rear in the opening stages.
As they rounded the far turn, Cabo Spirit briefly took command. Shortly after, Mi Hermano Ramon launched a bid under a determined Hector Berrios and fought gamely.
However, on the outside, Prat had King of Gosford steadily advancing.
The colt shifted into high gear in the final furlong and began reeling in the leaders. With a thrilling late charge, he surged past them to hit the wire first in a dramatic finish. As a result, he stopped the clock at a sharp 1:33.52 for the mile over firm turf.
“It was a marvelous ride by Flavien. It all worked out, really,” D’Amato said afterward.
He also pointed out that King of Gosford’s prior start — the Grade 3 American Stakes, where he ran second to Cabo Spirit — had been a perfect tune-up for this Grade 1 target.
Prat added, “He was very game.”
In the final order, Mi Hermano Ramon held on for second, just a nose ahead of early challenger Cabo Spirit in third. Notably, Formidable Man, the 5-2 favorite, could not factor late and settled for fourth.
This victory not only marked a significant career milestone for King of Gosford (GB) but also positioned him as an emerging contender for the prestigious Breeders’ Cup Mile later this year.
With momentum now firmly on his side, the promising colt has stamped himself as one to watch on the turf scene.
Scratched Horse(s): None
Fractional Times: :22.92, :45.68, 1:09.47
Final Time: 1:33.52
Winning Connections
- Winner: King of Gosford (GB)
- Jockey: Flavien Prat
- Trainer: Philip D’Amato
- Owner: Benowitz Family Trust, CYBT, Saul Gevertz, Michael Nentwig, Jeremy Peskoff
- Breeder: The Miss Sugars Partnership
- Bloodline: Chestnut Colt, by Zoustar (AUS) out of Miss Sugars (GB), by Harbour Watch (IRE). Foaled March 20, 2021, in Great Britain.
- Stallion Info: Zoustar (AUS) stands at Tweenhills Stud, Gloucestershire, UK (fee varies by season)
Payouts
- (4) King of Gosford (GB) → Win: $10.80, Place: $4.80, Show: $3.60
- (7) Mi Hermano Ramon → Place: $4.60, Show: $3.20
- (8) Cabo Spirit → Show: $8.00
- $1 Exacta (4-7): $17.90
- $1 Trifecta (4-7-8): $258.80
- $0.10 Superfecta (4-7-8-5): $135.12
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