In Germany, Goliath Roars Again and Eyes Del Mar or Tokyo

The Quirky-Striding Colt Captures the Grosser Preis von Baden (G1) and Could Target the Breeders’ Cup Ahead of the Japan Cup

Goliath and the Spoils After a Long-Awaited Victory / WORLD POOL

BADEN-BADEN, Alemania (Special for Turf Diario).- Goliath (Adlerflug), the powerhouse who lit up Ascot in 2024 with victory in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. (G1), returned to the international spotlight Sunday with a commanding score in the Grosser Preis von Baden (G1, 2400m, good turf) at Baden-Baden. Ridden by Clément Lecoeuvre and trained by Francis Graffard, the dark bay showed ample energy throughout and reaffirmed his standing as a global player at the distance.

After finishing second to First Look (Lope de Vega) in the Prix Gontaut-Biron Hong Kong Jockey Club (G3) at Deauville on July 16, the 5-year-old for Resolute Racing snapped a lengthy drought in style. Always prominent, he cruised on the pace from the break and kicked clear in the stretch to defeat Dubai Honour (Pride of Dubai) by 1 1/4 lengths. It was his second career G1 win in 16 starts, a confidence-restoring success ahead of more ambitious targets.

“I’m delighted for the horse,” said Graffard. “This has done wonders for his morale, and he really enjoyed being back over 2400 meters. The plan was to let him run freely, not fight him, and Clément executed it perfectly.”

The road ahead is bold. A return trip to the Japan Cup (G1), where he competed last November, is firmly in the picture, though a prior stop in the GI Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar is also under consideration.

American billionaire John Stewart (Resolute Bloodstock) joined the Goliath project after his King George triumph and now co-owns the horse with Baron Philipp von Ullmann. His résumé also features victories in the Prix d’Hedouville (G3), Prix du Conseil de Paris (G2) and La Coupe (G3).

Meanwhile, Brazilian raider Cold Heart (Alpha)—who contested the 2024 Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini (G1) in Argentina and the G1 Gran Premio José Pedro Ramírez in Uruguay this past January—failed to make an impact and trailed home a distant last.

Should connections opt for Del Mar, Goliath would shape as one of the most significant international threats before potentially boarding a plane to Tokyo to take on Japan’s elite.