To see really was to believe on Saturday (5th October), as The Dragon King put in an astonishing performance with a late surge in closing stages and a last to first place win over the Rowley Mile, in the valuable £150,000 Tattersalls October Auction Stakes over six furlongs.
Having previously performed well over five furlongs, there was a slight question mark over whether he would make this extended trip – a factor that was made more concerning when he appeared to miss the break and heavily dwindled at the start, looking to be in trouble and going nowhere as he tailed off from the rest of the field. By halfway he really wasn’t in the running and the challenge felt unsurmountable, made more so amid a competitive field of 18, but an unwavering William Buick was not willing to admit defeat and knowing the potential this colt has knuckled down. To everyone’s surprise, The Dragon King galloped on to make up remarkable headway, producing a stupendous finish down the near side to rule over the field and miraculously steal the win with a length in hand.
This was a truly outstanding effort from this horse - one that certainly had us all lost for words. Now a three-time winner, he has built up creditable form over his two-year-old campaign. A very well done to Middleham Park Racing syndicate, who celebrate this extraordinary success.
