Japan’s domination on the worldwide racing stage could not stretch to Ascot, with Oisin Murphy left to reflect on a disappointing afternoon for the Far East challengers in a barnstorming King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
Twenty years on from Heart’s Cry finishing third to Hurricane Run, Masquerade Ball and Wurttemberg crossed the globe hoping to give Japan a first triumph in the midsummer showpiece, this year run for £2million and featuring some of the best middle-distance performers around.
It was Murphy who got the call to partner Hiroshi Miyamoto’s Tenno Sho runner-up Wurttemberg, but his mount was unable to land a blow and Masquerade Ball also failing to show his best, finishing an underwhelming seventh.
Murphy – who won the Japan Cup with Suave Richard in 2019 and has also scored at Glorious Goodwood the Breeders’ Cup for Japan – said: “They are very famous colours (carried by the likes of Deep Impact) and I thought the horse had quality form coming into the race, but he was ultimately in trouble after four furlongs.
“He really dropped the bit which was unlike him and he has never done that before in Japan.
“Both Japanese horses really underperformed which is a shame. They made a real big effort to come over and hopefully they do win the King George one day.”
It would prove a bittersweet afternoon for Murphy who had to watch on from the rear as his mount from 12 months ago Kalpana provided his long-time ally in the training ranks Andrew Balding with one of the greatest victories of his career.
Murphy added: “You just have to say well done to everyone associated with Kalpana.
“I was second on her last year and it’s great to see her go one better. She was epic.”