Royal Ascot: Al Kazeem and others to have returned from stud

Kingsgate Native (best Timeform rating pre-stud =124. Post-stud = 124)

Kingsgate Native burst onto the scene as a two-year-old, winning the Nunthorpe Stakes and placing in the Prix de l’Abbaye, and he confirmed his status as a very smart, genuine Group 1 performer by winning the Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot the following season. Kingsgate Native was retired to stud at the culmination of his three-year-old campaign, but proved infertile and returned to the track under the care of Sir Michael Stoute (previously with John Best). Kingsgate Native made little impression on his comeback at Royal Ascot but was quickly back in the groove, demolishing his rivals at Goodwood, clocking a Timeform rating of 124 that ranks right alongside the best of his performances.

The bloodstock world’s loss has proven to be racing’s gain as Kingsgate Native has gone on to become a much-cherished veteran of the sprinting scene, successful in a listed race at Haydock just last month. He may have failed to add a Group 1 win to his name following his return from stud, but two Temple Stakes crowns and in-frame efforts in the July Cup, Sprint Cup and Nunthorpe isn’t a bad return.

George Washington (best Timeform rating pre-stud = 132. Post-stud = 124)

A brilliant racehorse blessed with striking looks and bundles of natural ability - with a fair chunk of temperament thrown in – George Washington was one of the most popular milers of recent times. Four wins from five starts as a juvenile, including a wide-margin romp in the Phoenix Stakes, suggested that George Washington would develop into a top-class three-year-old, and he didn’t disappoint, winning the Guineas in authoritative fashion and signing off for the season by beating Group 1 performers on the bridle in the QEII Stakes.

George Washington may not have won after returning from stud duties, but you got the feeling that plenty of ability remained intact: things just didn’t pan out right for him at Sandown in a muddling Eclipse or when given too much to do in the Prix du Moulin. Tragically, George Washington was fatally injured at the Breeders' Cup, but his bloodline does live on through Date With Destiny, his one foal. Date With Destiny is the dam of Beautiful Morning, an unraced two-year-old filly by Galileo in training with Luca Cumani, and it'll be interesting to see how she fares on the racecourse.

Starspangledbanner (best Timeform rating pre-stud = 128. Post-stud = 115)

Australian superstar Starspangledbanner proved to be the dominant sprinter during his first season with Aidan O’Brien, winning the Golden Jubilee at Royal Ascot in blistering fashion before following up in the July Cup. Retired to stud having proven his credentials in both Australia and Britain, Starspangledbanner proved sub-fertile, failing to get enough mares in foal to cut it as a commercially-viable sire, so was returned to the racecourse following a two-year hiatus. His powers had dimmed, however, and he was unable to register a victory from six outings, despite having his sights lowered away from Group 1s on occasion.

It wasn’t all bad news for Starspangledbanner, however, as the exploits of his first European crop, led by The Wow Signal, prompted connections to renew their efforts into developing him as a sire, despite his limited fertility. From just 17 British or Irish representatives in 2014, Starspangledbanner sired 10 individual winners, four horses with a Timeform Rating of 100 or better and two Royal Ascot winners. A remarkable return from such a small crop. Starspangledbanner’s Australian runners also got off to the best possible start as his first representative, Of The Brave, won a listed race on debut, the Inglis Debutant Stakes.