Varian has one eye on King George for Defoe

Horse Racing
Varian has one eye on King George for Defoe

Roger Varian is plotting a possible outing in the King George VI for Defoe after he won the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The five-year-old grey went to Ascot on the back of his Coronation Cup success at Epsom on May 31 and, having sat in midfield for the majority of the race, jockey Andrea Atzeni guided him ahead in the home straight to claim the win by half a length.

Sir Michael Stoute’s Mirage Dancer had looked set to secure the win, but he faded as Nagano Gold came through to pinch second place.

Varian expressed his delight with Defoe’s win and is already looking ahead to the rest of the season.

He said: ‘I thought it was a strong race on paper, and he took his form from Epsom forward, which was nice.

‘I’m grateful to Sheikh Obaid and delighted for him that he has got on the scoresheet, and I’m delighted for Andrea, too.

‘He is just a lovely horse.

He is very straightforward, tries and relaxes and is getting better with age.

He is a joy to train.

I thought he was very capable of mixing it with the best and the horse is warming to the season nicely.

‘Hopefully we can bring him back in one piece for the King George.

It is up to other people to have their opinion, but I have my opinion of the horse which is very high, and he is backing that up with his performances.

‘We are excited for the rest of the season.’

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