American Affair returned to winning form at Goodwood in the King George Qatar Stakes, a Group Two contest. The horse, trained by Jim Goldie, had previously captured the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot last summer before missing the remainder of 2025 due to injury. After finishing second to Night Raider in the Temple Stakes at Haydock in May, American Affair faced setbacks, including a last-place finish while defending his Ascot title and an unsuccessful effort in a Listed race at York. Despite these recent struggles, the horse entered the Goodwood race at 12-1 odds.
Ridden by his regular partner Paul Mulrennan, American Affair stayed with the pace throughout and finished strongly to secure victory, defeating Rumstar and Time For Sandals. Australian competitor Asfoora rounded out the frame in fourth place. George Goldie, representing the stable, acknowledged the horse’s journey back to form. He noted that while an injury late in the previous year had disrupted the campaign, the team remained confident in the horse’s abilities. The horse showed promise at Haydock three starts earlier but struggled at Ascot, pulling too hard during that effort.
Looking ahead, plans include a run in the Nunthorpe, with alternative options being races at the Curragh or the Haydock Sprint Cup at six furlongs. The Abbaye was ruled out, with connections favoring the Flying Five at the Curragh following the Nunthorpe. Mulrennan expressed satisfaction with the day’s result and mentioned potential future targets including a possible trip to America.
In another notable race at Goodwood, Shayem claimed victory in the HKJC World Pool Thoroughbred Stakes under trainer Karl Burke. The horse defeated the favored Talk Of New York, who had been priced at 2-5, by half a length with jockey Clifford Lee in the saddle. Shayem had won the Listed Sir Henry Cecil Stakes at Newmarket three weeks prior. Burke indicated interest in potential races at Kentucky Downs in September or Colonial Downs, or alternatively returning for the Celebration Mile.
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