King of Gosford won the Group I Santa Anita Shoemaker Mile last year and was back in the winning groove at Del Mar on Saturday night when taking out the $300,000 Group II Del Mar Mile (1m) in a thrilling finish.
The five year-old Zoustar stallion started his racing career in Ireland, but has proven an elite miler since transferring across the Atlantic to the stable of Phil D’Amato in 2024.
Ridden by Umberto Rispoli, he scored by a head taking his overall record to nine wins and six placings from 22starts with prizemoney in excess of US$1million.
"I had a very good trip; that was the type of trip I wanted to have before the race,” said winning rider Umberto Rispoli, who scored a second consecutive victory on the stallion.
“I was not afraid because when he was going in between the two horses, he kind of hesitated a little bit and once it was more clear, this horse he gave me another push. He has a big heart and he always tries. He can give you something more every single time.”
A 32,000 guinea purchase from Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 3, King of Gosford is the best of two winners from stakes-winning Harbour Watch mare Miss Sugars.
King of Gosford is one of 14 stakes-winners in 2026 for Widden Stud’s champion srie Zoustar
