'I didn't expect him to beat Adayar like that' - Israr powers clear for comfortable Princess of Wales's success

Shadwell supremo Sheikha Hissa picked a great day to be in attendance as her Israr lit up ladies' day on the July course with a scintillating display in the Princess of Wales's Stakes to stun the favourite Adayar.

Adayar, winner of the Derby and King George in 2021, had enjoyed a racecourse gallop at the track before finishing third at Royal Ascot and this 1m4f contest was supposed to be another judging by the market, which sent him off at 1-3 to beat just three lower-rated rivals.

Sat second off the pace set by stablemate Global Storm, Adayar was sent for home three furlongs out by William Buick but was unable to shake off the attention of Israr.

The four-year-old colt swept out of the Dip to score tidily by four and a half lengths under Jim Crowley, who was completing a big-race double having earlier won the July Stakes in similar fashion on Jasour.

Israr was coming back in trip after finishing second over 1m6f at York on his previous start and was not unbacked himself at 7-2 second favourite.

Joint-trainer John Gosden said: "That was a great performance. He's handled the ground and produced a career best. They've gone a near-track record time out there, so it's quick. He's improving and I expected him to run well today, although I didn't expect him to beat Adayar like that.

"He's not in the King George and we've no intention of going there as it's a bit too soon. We'll have to box clever going forward and space his races out, but it could well be that he will go for the Dubai Sheema Classic next year."

Israr: Shadwell homebred produced a career-bestCredit: Alan Crowhurst

This was a very important win for the Shadwell team, as Israr is a homebred by their own stallion Muhaarar and is out of their Oaks and King George heroine Taghrooda.  

Shadwell's assistant racing manager Richard Hills said: "We're delighted with that, especially because of how he's bred, and it's great that Sheikha Hissa is here to see it. 

"We came here taking on a Derby and King George winner and we were just hoping he'd run well, but to win like that was very pleasing. He deserved that as he's been mugged a couple of times and this mile-and-a-half trip suits him best."

No Derby winner has won the Princess of Wales's Stakes since Airborne in 1946 and the wait goes on after Adayar's reversal. Trainer Charlie Appleby has all but ruled his charge out of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, for which this Group 2 contest had been a prep.

He said: "William was happy with him throughout the race. He made his move and at that point we thought we’d put it to bed as Israr was being pushed along and was under the pump. But William said as soon as he hit the rising ground he just emptied out and that’s disappointing. 

"When he won at Newmarket in the spring, he was at his best, and he ran a good race at Ascot, too. He’s had a blow after the race, but it’s not excessive and it’s no more than you would think. He’s got form on the ground – I’m not going to use that as an excuse.

"In terms of the King George, I think realistically you’re struggling to go to the race after a run like that given what sort of race it is. I’m not going to say definitely no, but this wasn’t what we expected to happen today."

As for third-placed Global Storm, Appleby said: "He is likely to travel now with Germany and the US possibles as he loves fast ground."

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