Summer Brilliance in Berkshire

It is late July; we've just witnessed another thrilling "King George" race. Fans, owners and trainers all eagerly await a re-match, but sadly there will be none on British racing soil. Alas, it is incredulous that the racing highlight of the season takes place not in September or October but in...July? I ask you: in what other sport does the most anticipated event occur in the middle of the season? (Don't bother me with golf or tennis.) Am I alone in cringing at the thought that the heroes of the "King George" either stand idle waiting for the Arc or have to meet for a re-match in the Irish Champion Stakes or, shudder, in the Prix Foy/Prix Niel in France? Oh Puh-lease!

And what of the 3 year olds? What about their Triple Crown excitement. By the time the St. Leger rolls around in September, does anyone recall the enthusiasm which marked the onset of the classic generation in their trials back in April or which generated such dreams of a "superhorse" after the Derby in June?

British readers (and adherents to tradition who oppose any change) will please forgive the impertinence of a Yank who dares to propose a change that will make the "King George" the true climax of the racing season and heighten interest in the Triple Crown rivalries of the 3 year olds competing in the St. Leger: switch their dates-run the St. Leger in late July and the "King George" in mid-September.

Lammtarra

Lammtarra defeats Pentire in 1995 - Pentire made amends the following year

Swain

Dual winner Swain - only the second horse to win the King George in successive years.

Before you, kind reader, cntrl/alt/delete this article, consider the following:
1. The "King George" would be the true European 1 1/2 mile championship (as too often the rain-soaked ground of the Arc resembles a swamp)
2. No-one can use the traditional Arc-losing excuse "my horse was over the top" for a race in September;

3. There would be no post-"King George" letdown (except for those who anxiously await a Prix Foy re-match). Rather, there would be a thrilling build-up to the late summer clash between generations on BRITISH soil before the call of the Arc, Breeders' Cup and breeding shed lures them away.
4. There is easily enough time between the Derby and St. Leger for 3 year olds to rest (maybe even enough time after the Irish Derby as well.) The 1 3/4 mile St. Leger distance should not be a problem as 3 year olds already run 2 miles in the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot in June.

5. Only the St. Leger need move to late July. The rest of the Doncaster September meeting can stay in place highlighted by, say, the Doncaster Cup that annually features the popular staying warriors that take turns meeting and beating each other at Chester, Sandown, Ascot, Goodwood and York. In fact, why not create a Stayers' League, award points based on final placings, and market "T'Coop" as the Stayers' Championship?
6. Finally, for those who are really reaching for objections to Erley Turk's brilliant suggestion, the Gordon Stakes and the Great Voltigeur Stakes, traditional St. Leger prep races, can be re-cast as prep races for a September "King George."

Is anyone at the British Horseracing Board or the Jockey Club listening?

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Why not make your friends and/or customers feel really special this year and send them a
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Summer Brilliance in Berkshire and Sussex cont...