Britain’s middle-distance crisis: how this year’s Group 1 results reveal a shocking pattern

Goliath proves much too good for Bluestocking and the other King George runners

Goliath put British challengers to the sword in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes Credit: Getty Images

Let's start with a bit of trivia: in Group 1 contests staged beyond a mile on the Flat in Britain this year, how many winners have been trained on home soil?

There have been 11 qualifying races in 2024, starting with the Coronation Cup, Oaks and Derby at Epsom, encompassing the likes of the Prince of Wales's Stakes and Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, then on to summer highlights such as the Eclipse, King George and International Stakes.

Incredibly, not one has gone to a horse trained in Britain.

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Published on 2 September 2024inLewis Porteous

Last updated 14:23, 2 September 2024

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