Scottish sprinter American Affair rebounded spectacularly to capture the King George Qatar Stakes at Goodwood, reaffirming his status as a top‑class miler under the banner of trainer Jim Goldie. The chestnut gelding, who dazzled earlier in the year by winning the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot, had endured a lengthy lay‑off after sustaining an injury that forced him out of competition for the remainder of the 2025 campaign. His return to the track was eagerly anticipated by the Goldie stable and racing enthusiasts alike. After a respectable second‑place finish behind Night Raider in the Temple Stakes at Haydock in May, American Affair seemed to retain a solid level of ability despite the setback.
However, his subsequent performances were mixed: he faded to the back of the field when attempting to defend his Ascot title and then failed to make an impact in a Listed race at York. Those results left him as a 12‑to‑1 outsider for the Group Two contest at Goodwood, prompting many to question whether he could rediscover his former brilliance.
The race unfolded with American Affair positioned close to the rail, tracking the early pace set by the front‑runners. As the field approached the final straight, jockey Paul Mulrennan, who has partnered the horse on numerous occasions, guided him to the outside and asked for a sustained effort.
American Affair responded with a powerful late surge, pulling clear of Rumstar and Time For Sandals in the centre of the track. Australian filly Asfoora, who had been travelling well all afternoon, produced her best run of the day to finish a respectable fourth. Goldie's senior partner, who remains based at Musselburgh, was unable to attend the race, but his son George relayed a heartfelt statement on his behalf: "My dad is at Musselburgh; we couldn't both be here, but I'm sure he'll be disappointed to have missed this win.
My daughter rides him every day; he's a gentle, talented horse. We always believed he could return to this level after the injury that sidelined him at the end of last year." George continued, explaining the careful management plan that had been put in place: "We have been rebuilding his fitness step by step. He showed a glimpse of his old form at Haydock three runs ago, but Ascot was a disaster – he pulled too hard and never found his rhythm. At York, despite a poor draw, he ran well, so we came to Goodwood with optimism.
He has finally settled into a comfortable cruising speed and finished his race strongly." Looking ahead, the Goldie camp outlined an ambitious campaign for the gelding. "Our next target is the Nunthorpe, and after that we may consider a trip to the Curragh or even stretch him out to six furlongs for the Haydock Sprint Cup. We have not entered him in the Abbaye yet, but a run in the Flying Five at the Curragh after the Nunthorpe is a strong possibility," George added. Mulrennan, a veteran jockey with a long association with the Goodwood meeting, praised the horse's performance: "He executed everything perfectly today.
Fingers crossed he stays healthy and we can keep building on this. The Nunthorpe is next on our list, and a run in America would be fantastic. At this stage of my career I have more years behind me than ahead, but I still feel strong. This race is highly competitive, and I only had one ride this week, so it meant a lot to make it count." He also reflected on his personal history at the venue: "I won this race on Moviesta years ago, with my wife Adele driving the car that took us to the track.
I've won here twice, and I feel I should have added a couple more victories – Easton Angel and Moviesta were unlucky. Today we got it right." Wendy McGrandles of Barraston Racing, co‑owner of American Affair, expressed the pride small breeders feel when a home‑grown horse succeeds at the highest level: "He's had a few setbacks, but we always believed he was as good as he was last season.
For a small breeding operation, this is a once‑in‑a‑lifetime moment. I remember him as a foal and even considered an eventing career if he didn't have the speed for racing. He was initially broken in for eventing because we weren't sure about his size or ability, but now he has proven he belongs on the flat. He could always transition to a second career if needed." In the same meeting, another highlight featured Karl Burke's Shayem, who denied the heavily‑favoured Talk Of New York in the HKJC World Pool Thoroughbred Stakes.
Shayem, a recent Listed Sir Henry Cecil Stakes winner at Newmarket, stayed close behind pacemaker Catullus before taking the lead inside the final half‑furlong. Under jockey Clifford Lee, he held off Talk Of New York by half a length, delivering a satisfying upset for Burke and his connections. Burke explained his tactics: "We didn't need to lead from the start, but we knew Billy (Loughnane) on Catullus would give us a solid gallop, and Cliff is excellent at timing his runs.
Last year people thought Shayem preferred soft ground, but he proved his versatility this season, handling the undulating Newmarket track with confidence." He also hinted at future plans for Shayem, mentioning potential trips to the United States: "There is a valuable race at Kentucky Downs in September and another at Colonial Downs. They aren't Grade One events, but they carry significant prize money. If we don't go there, we could return for the Celebration Mile." Meanwhile, Charlie Appleby’s Talk Of New York, who entered the race as a 2‑5 favourite after a solid third place in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, fell short.
Appleby reflected on the performance, noting the horse’s reluctance to settle early and the impact of the race’s pace on his finishing kick. He concluded that a longer distance might suit the colt better, but emphasized the need for the horse to learn to relax in the opening stages.
Overall, the Goodwood meeting provided a blend of redemption and surprise. American Affair’s triumph not only marked a successful comeback for a horse that many thought might never regain his top form, but it also underscored the dedication of his trainers, jockey, and owners. As the season progresses, fans will be eager to see whether he can maintain this momentum in the Nunthorpe and beyond, while the broader racing community continues to celebrate the unpredictable drama that makes the sport so compelling.