€80,000 Porte Maillot: No hold-up for King Gold

Thursday, June 29, 2023, ParisLongchamp Racecourse. - Noted when he finished third in the €80,000 Prix du Palais-Royal (Gr3), despite a brief hold-up at the decisive point on the same Nouvelle Piste-7 furlong trip, King Gold (Anodin) didn't have to wait long to avenge himself. Held back in the rear of a field led by Kingentleman (Kingman) and National Service (Elusive City), the representative of his breeder, Mrs Christian Wingtans, and his trainer, Nicolas Caullery, moved forward into the home straight to gradually overtake the other contenders and win by a length this €80,000 Prix de la Porte Maillot (Gr3).

He beat the British favourite Garrus (Acclamation), who prevailed over National Service after a long struggle, with the two horses separated by only a neck.

Sicilian Defense (Muhaarar) stayed on behind the leaders in fourth at two lengths, way ahead of Fort Payne (Rio de la Plata), the Palais-Royla winner, who lost his chances fighting with Egot for the same midfield position.

King Gold is the second of four foals out of the unraced Miss Gandelia (Kingsalsa), a half-sister to the talented Queen America (American Post), a Group placed horse at 2, also the dam of the good Queensalsa (Kingsalsa), a Group placed horse at 2 as well.

Miss Gandelia has also given the 4-year-old Missalia (Prince Gibraltar), a single race winner, and a 2-year-old by Spanish Moon.

As for King Gold, he has raced thirty times and won seven races, including three of his last four starts. He made his debut at 2 and only ran once that season, but he won in his first outing the following year. He then alternated between conditions races, handicaps, and black-type events, managing to take second place in the Grosser Preis von Lotto Hamburg (Gr3), over 6 furlongs, last July. He also spent the winter in Dubai this year. As a result, he has earned over €260,000 in prize money.