QIPCO British Champions Day 2012 Media Guide - Ascot Racecourse

NATHANIEL – joint third highest-rated horse in the 2012 World Thoroughbred Rankings on 126
for trainer John Gosden. Brilliant winner of the 12 furlong King George VI and Queen Elizabeth
Stakes (sponsored by Betfair) (G.1) at Ascot in July 2011. Nose runner-up to Danedream in the
same race in 2012, just prior to which he had won the 10-furlong Coral-Eclipse Stakes (G.1) at
Sandown Park and after which he
finished second to Snow Fairy in the 10-
furlong Irish Champion Stakes (G.1).
Missed the 2011 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de
Triomphe (G.1) at Longchamp due to the
fast ground and the 2012 edition due to
illness, but now reported to be
recovering quickly and on target for the
QIPCO Champion Stakes (G.1) in which
he finished fifth last year, 3¼ lengths
behind Cirrus des Aigles on good ground
(Nathaniel excels on softer ground). In their first ever racecourse appearances, Nathaniel ran
Frankel to half a length in a maiden at Newmarket in August 2010, the closest any horse has
ever got to the world number one.
10 career starts: 4 wins, 5 seconds, (1 fifth)
4 Group 1 starts: 2 wins, 1 second, (1 fifth)
Career earnings: £1,324,808
Other acceptors to note
The winners of all the main European Derbys are still engaged – Camelot (English and Irish),
Saonois (French) and Pastorius (German). Camelot is highly unlikely to run after his seventh
place in the Arc, but Saonois (eased when his chance in the Arc had gone) could run and
Pastorius (who won his prep race in Germany on 3 October) is reported as a very likely
contender.
The 1-2-3 from the Prix de l’Opera (G.1), Ridasiyna, Izzi Top and Giofra, all individual Group 1
winners, are entered, as is the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G.1) and dual Investec Coronation Cup
(G.1) winner St Nicholas Abbey, although he was well beaten in the Arc last time out.
2012 Prix du Jockey-Club (French Derby) winner Saonois
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