KING GEORGE VI:DANEDREAM CONTINUED a landmark season for German racing by catching Nathaniel right on the line in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.

Just last month, the sport’s emerging national force had toasted their first success at the Royal meeting through Energizer. Despite odds of 9 to 1, Danedream was hardly an unknown quantity after smashing the record time in last year’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Her rider, Andrasch Starke, described the last-ditch win as the finest moment of his career.

Nathaniel was out again just a fortnight after his triumph in the Coral-Eclipse and jockey William Buick must have thought a remarkable double had been secured passing the one-furlong marker. Starke was over a length behind once Danedream was loosened for her challenge and, in the heat of the moment, used the whip more times than was permissible. The jockey received a six-day ban (August 4th-9th).

Joseph O’Brien, who seemed to have given St Nicholas Abbey a lot to do after sitting at the back of the field, finished a length and a half back in third, but was given a seven-day whip ban (August 4th-10th) and will miss the final day of Glorious Goodwood. Buick was also handed two days (August 5th-6th) for the same offence.