Pyledriver gets perfect trip to upset King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes

Pyledriver, the longest shot in a six-horse field, beat Torquator Tasso, the second-longest price, as older horses ruled the Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes on Saturday at Ascot.

Pyledriver, getting a great trip just behind a pace battle between Westover and Broome, ran the race of his life beating 2021 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Torquator Tasso by 2 3/4 lengths. Mishriff, another older horse, finished a distant third, beaten eight lengths by Torquator Tasso after missing the break, and Broome, was fourth.

Westover, second in the Epsom Derby and an easy winner of the Irish Derby in his most recent race, was the 6-5 favorite in North American parimutuel betting but faded badly after contesting strong fractions and finished fifth despite getting 11 pounds from the older horses. He beat only 5-2 second choice Emily Upjohn, a 3-year-old filly getting 14 pounds from the older horses.

Emily Upjohn was unable because of travel complications to travel to Ireland last week for a start in the Irish Oaks and subsequently was redirected to the King George. But in her first start since a very tough-trip nose loss in the Epsom Oaks, Emily Upjohn, taken back second-last while racing inside, pulled furiously for her head and had no finish when called upon in the homestretch.

Pyledriver had plenty in the tank. With regular rider Martin Dwyer sidelined by injury, P.J. McDonald rode Pyledriver for the first time and worked out a perfect journey. Pyledriver led in the very early stages but ceded the front to Westover, who then was taken on by Broome, the pair going off at a demanding clip that eventually undid both horses.

McDonald bided his time, pounced after turning into the Ascot homestretch, and had plenty left to turn back Torquator Tasso. Last year’s Arc winner, who shipped from Germany, ran well in defeat, closing with a purpose on the outside while racing over a good-to-firm course that had less give to it than he prefers.

Pyldriver was timed in a 2:29.49 and paid $41.60 winning his second Group 1, the first having come in the Coronation Cup at Epsom last year. Trained by William Muir and Chris Grassick, Pyledriver is a 5-year-old horse by Harbour Watch out of La Pyle, by Le Havre.

The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes offered a fees-paid berth to the Breeders' Cup Turf to the winner as part of the Win and You're In program.