King Power move Sunday Sovereign and Johnny Drama to Britain after Ascot defeats

King Power Racing’s recent Irish recruits Sunday Sovereign and Johnny Drama will continue their careers in Britain following their defeats at Royal Ascot last week.

The Paddy Twomey-trained Sunday Sovereign this month became the first horse to carry the King Power Racing silks in Ireland when running out an impressive winner of a conditions race at Tipperary.

He was subsequently sent off the 13-8 favourite for the Norfolk Stakes but faded to finish a disappointing eighth of 14.

Johnny Drama, who represented Ger Lyons at Royal Ascot, finished unplaced in the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes.

King Power’s racing manager Alastair Donald said it was always the plan for the two horses to race on in Britain, where the owners are based, unless they won at the royal meeting.

A decision has yet to be made on who will train Sunday Sovereign, but Twomey has wished the future connections well.

The trainer said: "It's King Power's policy to have their horses trained in England and we were aware of that when we sold the horse.

"In the event he won at Royal Ascot, he would have stayed with us, but it was always the plan for Sunday Sovereign to continue his career in England. Hopefully he'll do very well over there.”

Donald revealed Johnny Drama will join Andrew Balding, the trainer responsible for the owner's only Royal Ascot winner Cleonte, who landed the closing Queen Alexandra Stakes on Saturday.

Andrew Balding: will take over the training of Johnny DramaCredit: Edward Whitaker

He said: "Johnny Drama stayed in England to go to Andrew Balding and Sunday Sovereign is in the process of moving.

"The trainers were aware the horses would probably be staying in England unless they won."

The story of King Power

Billionaire businessman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha made his fortune through King Power Duty Free, Thailand’s leading travel retail group which he founded and owned.

Srivaddhanaprabha invested heavily in Leicester City in 2010, spearheading a remarkable journey which led to the Midlands club defying odds of 5,000-1 to win the 2015-16 Premier League title.

It was only early in 2017, however, that Srivaddhanaprabha decided to switch from being principally a watcher of racing to a serious player.

He selected Andrew Balding to be his primary trainer and, in tandem with bloodstock agent Alastair Donald, acquired three horses in Beat The Bank, Cleonte and Donjuan Triumphant for his new King Power Racing operation.

Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha: King Power owner tragically killed in October 2018Credit: Michael Regan

His interest continued to grow and on October 27 last year, Srivaddhanaprabha’s helicopter crashed outside Leicester City's football ground killing him along with four other people who had also been in the aircraft.

Srivaddhanaprabha’s son Aiyawatt chose to honour his father’s passion and assume control of King Power, with the operation continuing to grow after his death.

Beat The Bank has proved the owners’ primary flag-bearer, striking four times in Group company before almost triumphing at the top level when finishing second in the Queen Anne Stakes last week.

Bangkok supplied King Power with a first Epsom Derby runner and Cleonte’s triumph in the concluding Queen Alexandra Stakes on Saturday was an emotional first Royal Ascot winner for the family.

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