Scottish-bred speedster American Affair rebounded impressively to secure a top‑class victory in the King George Qatar Stakes at Goodwood, reaffirming his status as a leading miler. The horse, owned by the Goldie family, had previously captured the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot last summer, but an injury forced him out for the remainder of the 2025 campaign.
After a promising second place behind Night Raider in the Temple Stakes at Haydock in May, many wondered whether he could return to his previous level. A disappointing run when defending his Ascot title, followed by a lackluster effort in a Listed race at York, left his odds at 12‑1 for this Group Two event. From the start, American Affair settled comfortably near the pace, tracking the leaders that raced close to the stands rail.
As the field turned into the home straight, his regular jockey Paul Mulrennan guided him to a powerful finish. He surged past Rumstar and Time For Sandals on the centre of the track, while Australian challenger Asfoora produced her best run of the day to finish fourth.
The win was a testament to the horse’s resilience and the skill of his connections. Goldie senior remained at Musselburgh for the race, but his son George relayed the family’s emotions: "My dad was at Musselburgh, we couldn’t both be there, but he’ll be disappointed to have missed it. My daughter rides him daily; he’s a gentle, talented horse. We believed he could return to this level, and after the setback at the end of last year we’ve been rebuilding his confidence." George continued, "He showed a flash of his old form at Haydock three runs ago, but Ascot was a disaster – he pulled too hard.
At York he ran well despite a poor draw, so we came to Goodwood very hopeful. He’s finally finding his rhythm again and finishing strongly." Looking ahead, George outlined the horse’s campaign: "Our next target is the Nunthorpe, then perhaps a trip to the Curragh.
He could also step up to six furlongs for the Haydock Sprint Cup. We haven’t entered him in the Abbaye yet; the Flying Five at the Curragh after the Nunthorpe looks more likely." The family’s strategic planning reflects a desire to test the colt at a range of sprint distances while protecting his health after the previous injury.
Veteran jockey Paul Mulrennan, a stalwart of the weighing‑room, praised the effort: "He did everything right today, so fingers crossed he keeps this form. We’ll enjoy the Nunthorpe next, and maybe an American trip would be nice. At this stage I probably have more years behind me than ahead, but I still feel strong.
It’s a tough, competitive game, and I only had one ride this week, so we made it count." Mulrennan also reflected on his own history at Goodwood: "I’ve won this race twice, first on Moviesta when my wife Adele was the driver. I should have added a couple more victories – Easton Angel and a second win on Moviesta were unlucky for me. Today we got it right again." Wendy McGrandles of Barraston Racing, who co‑owns American Affair with the Goldies, added perspective on the colt’s background: "He’s had a couple of setbacks, but we always felt he was as good as he was last year. For us small breeders, this is a once‑in‑a‑lifetime moment.
I remember him as a foal and thinking about a possible eventing career if he wasn’t fast enough for the track. He was initially broken in for eventing because we weren’t sure about his size and speed. He could always revert to that second career if needed." The meeting also featured a notable performance from Karl Burke’s Shayem, who denied the fast‑finishing favourite Talk Of New York in the HKJC World Pool Thoroughbred Stakes. Shayem, a recent Listed Sir Henry Cecil Stakes winner at Newmarket, positioned himself behind the pacemaker Catullus and took the lead in the final half‑furlong, holding off Talk Of New York by half a length under Clifford Lee.
Burke explained the tactics: "We didn’t need to lead, but we knew Billy (Loughnane) on Catullus would set a solid gallop, and Cliff could keep tabs on the leader." Burke praised Shayem’s versatility: "Last year he was seen as a soft‑ground horse, but this season he’s proven otherwise. He handled the undulating Newmarket track well, and his fractions were spot‑on. Owner Abdulrazaq Mohamdi, a Dubai‑based homebred supporter, will be delighted. There are valuable races at Kentucky Downs and Colonial Downs in September – not Grade Ones, but worth targeting, and we could also aim for the Celebration Mile back home." Talk Of New York’s trainer, Charlie Appleby, said he would let the dust settle after the horse’s disappointing defeat before plotting the next move.
He noted: "The horse is intelligent and likes the track, but the mile stretched him. Catullus couldn’t sustain the mile, and the front two made a good move. We need to consider a step up in trip, but also help him settle a bit earlier in the race. The pace was honest, and they didn’t finish strongly, so there’s room for improvement." Overall, American Affair’s triumph at Goodwood signals a successful comeback from injury and a promising spring campaign for the Goldie operation.
With the Nunthorpe on the horizon and potential trips abroad, the colt’s connections appear confident that he can continue to add to his Group‑level tally while maintaining the gentle temperament that endears him to his handlers and fans alike.