Going The Distance goes the distance in King George V Stakes

Ralph Beckett saw a long-term plan come to fruition as Going The Distance swooped to victory in the Royal Ascot King George V Stakes, in which 19 horses ran, on Thursday, June 20th 2024.

Ridden by Rossa Ryan in the colours of Marc Chan, racehorse Going The Distance (9/1) came with a sweeping run around the outside of the field and had enough in the tank to see off Neski Sherelski by half a length.

Go Daddy, from William Muir and Christy Grassick’s stable, was a half-length back in third, with the George Boughey-trained Fouroneohfever fourth.

Proving a successful week for Beckett, he also saddled Doha to win Royal Ascot’s Wednesday’s (19th June) Kensington Palace Stakes Fillies’ Handicap under jockey Hector Crouch.

Beckett said:

I said yesterday that Doha wasn’t a plot, but this was a bit of a plot. When Going The Distance won at Kempton, I think he was our only winner in April, and got a few pounds for winning there, so it all fitted together like a glove.” 

He added:

I am very fortunate Hector rode a winner for us yesterday, and to have Rob Hornby and Rossa, we are very fortunate to have three fellows really going places. Today Rossa was foot perfect on this fellow, he really was. He got it absolutely right, we planned it, it was a balls of steel ride and it worked out well.

We will see what the handicapper does, but I think he’s certainly bred to get a little bit further, I wouldn’t mind thinking of that. We will enjoy today. Today was the plan.”

Ryan said:

“Beautiful. The biggest applause has to go to the lads in Kimpton [Beckett’s stable], they’re brilliant. Fair play to Ralph, he’s been plotting this lad all year. There was a question mark about the ground, but he did a nice bit of work last week and we were all hopeful that he’d run a big race.

“To get a winner for Mr Chan and his team… it’s hard getting on some of the horses Frankie was riding and trying to do something with them, but to get a Royal Ascot winner is brilliant. I was a bit sick going home last night after just getting touched off in the Royal Hunt Cup but it’s amazing what 24 hours can do.

“I got shuffled out turning in, but Going The Distance is very gutsy. To be fair, he picked himself up at the top of the straight and he kept galloping for me. He had a little look around when he was in front, but he did it well and should go on. When he gets on softer ground, he’ll be better again.”

Joseph O’Brien, trainer of Neski Sherelski, said:

It was a fantastic ride from Jamie [Spencer]. I am very proud of the horse. It is frustrating not to win, but he ran great. We’ll see how he pulls up and speak to Barry [Taylor], who owns him, but we probably won’t be rushing him back – that was a big run on hard ground, but he’s really exciting for the future.”

Go Daddy’s co-trainer William Muir said:

I am delighted. I came here thinking he had a big, big chance and that the step up to a mile and a half would suit. If it had been soft ground, he’d have won easy, but he copes with this ground fine and he’s run a blinder. As I said to Lewis [Edmunds] coming in, we can go wherever we want now.”

Winners in the 3.05pm King George V Stakes (Heritage Handicap)

1 Going The Distance (Marc Chan) Ralph Beckett 3-9-02 Rossa Ryan 9/1

2 Neski Sherelski (Barry Taylor) Joseph O’Brien IRE 3-9-02 Jamie Spencer 33/1

3 Go Daddy (Perspicacious Punters Racing Club) William Muir & Chris Grassick 3-8-09 Lewis Edmunds 25/1

4 Fouroneohfever (Maranto Manor 1) George Boughey 3-8-12 Billy Loughnane 10/1

Ralph Beckett – 6th Royal Ascot winner

Rossa Ryan – 4th Royal Ascot winner

You can read more horse racing news here.

Feature image: Going The Distance wins the King George V Stakes (credit: Megan Coggin)