Defoe battles hard for red-hot Atzeni to claim first Group 1 in Coronation Cup

Historically the Coronation Cup has been a heavyweight contest with some of racing's biggest names such as Mill Reef, Yeats and triple-winner St Nicholas Abbey on its illustrious roll of honour.

Even in the absence of Enable, this year was no different but it was the turn of the underdog to strike a knockout blow as Defoe bounced back for in-form trainer Roger Varian to land a first Group 1.

After five attempts at the top level in Britain, France and Germany, Defoe showed a champion's resilience, bravely breaking through a gap on the home straight after a difficult start and battling St Leger winner Kew Gardens right to the line to win by half a length.

"It's fully deserved for the horse – you dream about results like that," said Varian. "On his day he's looked like a Group 1 performer but his last few runs haven't measured up to his summer form.

Defoe: brave in getting the better of Kew GardensCredit: Andrew Redington (Getty Images)

"He was slow away from the gates and didn't get the handy pitch we were looking for, but when the field fanned out on the straight he found a gap – the sort you only take if you're going well, if not they'd have rolled over him – and he took it without flinching. Once he had a target he always looked like he was going to get there."

A brave run requires a brave jockey and few are riding better than Andrea Atzeni, who admitted the 11-1 shot lacked the speed to get involved early on and was not travelling well enough to risk switching from his position on the inside rail.

His victory added to the jockey's excellent record for owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid, for whom he landed this prize with Postponed in 2016 and recently won a French Group 1 aboard Zabeel Prince.

"He's been knocking on the door in the top races," said Atzeni. "I had wanted to sit a bit closer to the pace and had to take my time. He wasn't going well enough to switch sides.

"He was off the bridle early but kept picking up and I didn't want to disturb his momentum. Luckily the splits came at the right time and he just took off."

The son of Dalakhani was introduced at 12-1 by Paddy Power for the King George at Ascot in July and was shortened to a general 6-1 for the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Aidan O'Brien remains the undisputed Coronation Cup champion with a record eight wins and was delighted with Kew Gardens, who led with a furlong to go after making late headway and could line up alongside Defoe in the King George.

Trainer Sylvester Kirk was similarly pleased with Salouen who, after finishing agonisingly close behind Cracksman in last year's race, put up another gutsy performance to finish third after making much of the early running.

"I was getting excited with a couple of furlongs to run," said Kirk, who was celebrating his 56th birthday. "He was going better than the rest of the field turning in and he ran a smashing race."

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