Special FIlly Taghrooda so good in Qipco King George

Three-year-old filly Taghrooda proved herself outstanding even by the standards of Epsom Oaks winners yesterday when winning the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.

The Paul Hanagan-ridden Taghrooda - who is owned by Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum and trained by John Gosden - beat male rivals, both contemporaries and older horses, with ease, crossing the line in isolation, three lengths ahead of favourite Telescope.

Only the great Dahlia and Pawneese had won Ascot's famous midsummer race as three-year-old fillies, and Taghrooda is now on the verge of greatness - a win in Longchamp's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe or a defeat of dual Derby winner Australia at any venue would make her worthy of that adjective.

David Redvers (left), representing QIPCO, looks on as Paul Hanagan
gets to grips with the impressive winner's trophy