King Of Steel

King of steel

This handsome and powerful son of Wootton Bassett joined the Varian Stable at the beginning of his three-year-old year.

A late withdrawal in the Dante Stakes he made his first start for Roger in the Epsom Derby, and what a start it was. King of Steel burst clear with two furlongs left to run and it briefly appeared that Derby glory was his, while he got run down in the shadow of the post he had announced himself as a colt out of the very top drawer.

 

An easy victory at Royal Ascot followed and he added another couple of solid runs back at the top level before returning to Ascot for the valuable and prestigious Champion Stakes.

The end of season showpiece at Ascot is always a great occasion but 2023 was even more special as it was to be the (supposed) English swansong of the darling of the turf, Frankie Dettori. Frankie’s finial ride on English soil was to be the favourite of the Champion Stakes, King of Steel.

Turning for home the pair had the whole field in front of them but under a beautifully poised and balanced Dettori King Of Steel slowly began to make ground down the outside. A furlong from the finish line victory still appeared unlikely but King Of Steel showed he had courage to match his ability a stride by stride he reeled in the leader to get up for a famous and highly emotive victory.

It mush have been written in the stars that at the Royal racecourse that the prince of British racing was carried to a final fairy-tale victory by the King.

Stephen recalls:

“I was flying to Japan that afternoon and time was tight. However, I dearly wanted to watch King Of Steel running in the flesh and I am so glad I did. The atmosphere at Ascot that day was electric and the excitement of witnessing and being involved in such a poignant victory meant a lot”