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Hardwicke Stakes: Stewart dreaming of more glory with Goliath
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Sat 20 Jun 2026
American John Stewart might only have the one runner donning his Resolute Racing silks at Royal Ascot this week, but in Goliath he has a proven performer returning to Berkshire at the peak of his powers for the Hardwicke Stakes.
It was Goliath’s King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes triumph at Ascot in 2024 that piqued the interest of Stewart so much he acquired a majority share in Philip Baron Von Ullmann’s gelding.
He has since gone on to add further Group One honours in Germany last year as well as competing in some of the hottest events worldwide.
However, it was back on home soil the Francis-Henri Graffard trained six-year-old served a real reminder of his class last month, winning the Grand Prix de Chantilly in magnificent style, a performance that set him up perfectly for the challenge of a race he has previously finished second in.
Stewart said: “I have some good European horses, I was expecting to have a few more runners this year, but we’re really glad to have Goliath running.
“I told Francis this was my number-one target for him this year and to prioritise Royal Ascot so we gave him a break after he ran overseas and he’s come back in great form.
“He won well at Chantilly and the plan was to use that race to prepare him for the race on Saturday. We know he likes the track at Ascot and won the King George there so we’re excited and if he does well there then we’ll come back for the King George again later in the summer.”
For Stewart there is no doubt how paramount success at Royal Ascot is for his growing racing entity, such is his affection for European turf racing and the lure of glory at one of racing’s highest-profile events.
He added: “My number one target is to win a race at Royal Ascot and if I win just one race then that’s one less that Aidan O’Brien and Coolmore can win – I like to give MV (Magnier) a hard time so it would be great to win there.
“It’s great to simply have a runner. We finished third last year in the Windsor Castle with Rogue Legend and we were ecstatic with that given it was only our second year having horses at Royal Ascot.
“I’m building a turf training centre in America specifically to train for Ascot and I’ve got over 10 horses with Francis Graffard.
“He gets my best turf horses and I think the European turf racing is the best in the world so when you can compete over here, and especially at an event like Ascot, it is what we dream to do.”
While the sportsman in Stewart will always want to see his horses come out on top when on track, he has developed a budding relationship with Coolmore during the infancy of his foray into racehorse ownership.
Having purchased some of their regally-bred stock, he is now reaping the rewards, relishing his first opportunity to have a horse trained by Aidan O’Brien.
Stewart explained: “Coolmore were very kind to me when I got started and they sold me some quality mares, one of which produced Giant Sequoia who we own alongside Coolmore.
“They have been very good to me and want to see us do well, but you also want to beat them when you’re up against them. They are the best in the world.
“To have horses with them like Giant Sequoia running for a trainer like Aidan O’Brien is great and to see our colours on an Aidan O’Brien horse was a dream come true.
“We have nothing but admiration for them, but when we line up against them on track we want to beat them.”
Goliath faces a couple of O’Brien-trained rivals in Jan Brueghel and Lambourn, both of whom are turned out quickly after finishing second and third in the Coronation Cup at Epsom a fortnight ago.
The likely favourite is Andrew Balding’s Juddmonte-owned mare Kalpana, who has won twice on Champions Day over the course and distance and was only a length behind Calandagan in the King George last summer.
While her best form is on slightly easier ground than what she will encounter on the final day of the Royal meeting, Juddmonte’s racing manager Barry Mahon is not overly concerned.
He said: “I think she’s shown she’s versatile on everything. She’s handled slower ground and quicker ground, maybe her preference is for slightly slower but the plan is to run and she’s in great form.
“We want to get another run into her before the King George and we know she likes Ascot, so that’s a plus.”
“It’s going to be a good renewal and hopefully she’ll be competitive.”
The Willie Mullins-trained Ethical Diamond and Marco Botti’s stable star Giavellotto also feature in a quality field of 12.
bet365 odds:3:05 - Kalpana 9/4, Jan Brueghel 9/2, Goliath 5/1, Giavellotto 9/1, Ethical Diamond 10/1 - Full Race Market Here
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