Summer Brilliance in Berkshire

Many consider the 1975 "King George" to be the "The Race of the Century." There was a furious pace from the start, and with 4 furlongs left, four year old Bustino went to the lead followed by his younger Derby-winning rival Grundy. Watching the replay of the epic stretch duel, in which Grundy edges to the front and holds off the persistent Bustino, probably still gives chills to the viewer (a U.S. analogy would be the Affirmed/Alydar battle in the 1979 Belmont.) Space does not allow a recap of every winner, but among the great moments of the "King George" have been:
-the Queen's Aureole giving fans a Royal victory in 1954; -the never-beaten Ribot coming up from Italy to gallop off to a 4 length win in 1956; -Ballymoss presenting legendary trainer Vincent O'Brien with his first "King George" win in 1958; -Busted defeating three Derby winners in 1967; -Nijinsky continuing his dominant 3 year old season in 1970; -Mill Reef and Brigadier Gerard scoring in 1971 and 1972. An injury to the former prevented a grand match with the latter (who had to survive a lengthy steward's inquiry before being declared the winner;)		Nashwan: the 'King George' Hero of 1989
-Lester Piggott ‘stealing a march’ on his rivals when setting a furious gallop on Teenoso. He left all his rivals toiling in his wake up the straight (including Sadlers’ Wells) and broke the track record -Dancing Brave - when ‘on a roll’ after his easy8 win in he Eclipse, winning with total authority. -Pentire spotting the field 8 lengths after dwelling at the start yet coming home victorious in 1996 (thereby avenging his narrow and unlucky 1995 loss to Lammtarra;)
The 1997 version may have sported the "Field of the Century" with Swain slogging through the heavy ground to defeat winners of the Breeders' Cup Turf, Dubai World Cup, Arc de Triomphe, and other races. This year, Swain bounced back from his close Dubai World Cup defeat to become only the 2nd dual-winner of the "King George" along with the gallant French filly Dahlia (who was beaten by Grundy in 1975.) In short, only the "King George" boasts of such quality winners as those listed above along with the likes of The Minstrel, Troy, Shergar, Mtoto, Nashwan and St. Jovite. Even the losers like Sadler's Wells, Triptych, Old Vic and Pilsudski comprise a worthy honour roll of excellence. Indeed, every year, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes provides fans with a top class field and/or and exciting race. [Now with plans for a so-called "World Series of Horse Racing" to begin in the year 2000, Erley Turk realises the following paragraphs may be moot. He writes them, however, to launch his idea so the British racing powers may give consideration to a proposal that will strengthen the racing calendar and enhance fan interest should the "World Series" strike out.]

Summer Brilliance in Berkshire and Sussex cont...