Royal Ascot 2011

The £152,810 (US $246,883) King Edward VII Stakes (G2), at 1 1/2 miles, was introduced as the Ascot Derby in 1834 in that it is restricted to 3-year-olds. It was renamed in 1926 and is now restricted to 3-year-old colts and geldings only. Nathaniel was sent off as the 11-4 favorite in the field of 10 over 10-3 second choice Mijhaar and 6-1 third choice Glen's Diamond. 20-1 Hurricane Higgins, 25-1 Glencadam Gold, and 8-1 World Domination battled for the lead for the first mile, with favorite Nathaniel stalking them in fourth. At the 3/8 pole jockey William Buick sent Nathaniel to the lead as the pacesetters tired. Through the lane Nathaniel drew off from the competition, finishing under wraps 5 lengths in front of late-running 9-1 Fiorente in 2:24.48 over the good-to-soft turf. It was another 2 lengths back to 12-1 Alexander Pope third.

Winning trainer John Gosden said, "He's a nice horse and loved the ground. He stayed well and I think he and Michael Owen's horse (Brown Panther) have shown themselves as legitimate favorites for the St. Leger. The Voltigeur is a strong possibility and I quite like a race at Newbury (the Geoffrey Freer). He'll have one run and then the Leger if the owners want to go there. I hope they do."