'That's the reason why we do it' - Schlenderhan excited by Goliath's latest mission in Hong Kong

There is quite a contrast in the current ownership of Goliath, who makes his reappearance for 2025 in Sunday's FWD QEII Cup in Hong Kong.

This will be the third race in which Francis Graffard's gelding will represent the Resolute Racing banner of John Stewart, the big-spending American whose social media presence and bold ideas have seen him pitching as one of the sport's reformers.

According to France Galop, Resolute owns 75 per cent of Goliath with the remaining quarter still belonging to Baron Philip von Ullmann, scion of the dynasty at Germany's oldest stud farm, Gestut Schlenderhan, which was founded in 1869.

Von Ullmann, who has travelled over to Hong Kong to watch the brilliant winner of last summer's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and pulled out stall nine at the barrier draw, explained that the Schlenderhan association with this particular individual is almost as abiding.

"For us as a family, it just shows that we're not doing everything wrong, which is nice," he said.

"We bred the sire and that line goes back to 1915 and on the dam's side we've also bred since six generations. It's always nice to see that every generation or every couple of generations some really good horses are coming out and to be able to run in these races around the world and against the best horses in the world, that's the reason why we do it."

Goliath is a son of Adlerflug, the top-class son of In The Wings whose premature death in 2021 continues to look so regrettable for the industry, with promising winners still emerging from his final crop.

Baron Philip von Ullmann at the Champions Day barrier drawCredit: Wallace Yeung/HKJC

It is a family that traces back through Schlenderhan-bred Allegretta, ancestress of Galileo through Urban Sea, and includes Asterblute, who won the German Derby and Oaks in 1949. Goliath is the first foal to have raced out of Listed-winning Shamardal mare Gouache, and is a great-grandson of the Italian Oaks winner Guadalupe. 

Guadalupe, who raced for Von Ullmann's father Georg in the 2002 Hong Kong Vase, was a Monsun sister to the family's fine ambassador Getaway, the Group 1 winner and leading National Hunt stallion.

Goliath, being a gelding, has no breeding value but Schlenderhan has a three-year-old sister called Go Flying, who was third for Peter Schiergen on her debut at the end of October. His four-year-old sister by Cloth Of Stars, Galaxy, is a winner for Sascha Smrczek in Germany, and there is a two-year-old filly by Magna Grecia who has been named Grande Merci.

Von Ullmann, no doubt encouraged by such details, is enjoying seeing how Goliath progresses in his ambitious campaign. Sunday's race will be his first appearance since finishing sixth in a competitive Japan Cup behind the likes of Do Deuce and Shin Emperor.

"Japan was a great race, sadly the race didn't go to the 100 per cent we expected it to be but being able to run here, go to Japan, run back in Europe in the biggest races, everywhere around the world, it's something you can do without any problems with a five-year-old gelding," he added.

Christophe Soumillon looks around as Goliath wins the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker

"If he were a colt then it would be a little bit different because you have to look at the stallion career. With him, you know he seems to travel very calmly, doesn't seem to mind it at all, and that is the perfect condition you need for a horse like this. As long as he keeps the class he's been showing I'm sure we'll have a lot of fun with him."

Goliath was campaigned steadily by Graffard last year, finishing second in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot before his triumphant return to Berkshire at 25-1 under an ebullient Christophe Soumillon, coming decisively clear of subsequent Arc winner Bluestocking and the ever-reliable Rebel's Romance.

Prohibited from participating in the Arc itself for anatomical reason, he would go on to win the Group 2 Prix du Conseil de Paris and is the highest-rated runner in Sunday's field, which includes last year's narrow runner-up for Japan, Prognosis, and his compatriots Tastiera and Liberty Island.

"We're very much looking forward to running here, running against very strong competition, and may the best horse win," said Von Ullmann.

"If Goliath is able to show the exact same quality he showed at Ascot I think he'll be tough to beat but then again it's always a bit more tricky for European horses to come to Asia and show their quality.

"And at the same time these Asian horses are getting stronger and stronger every year and that's why it's great to come and compete against the best."

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