John Gosden trained Taghrooda was ridden by Paul Hanagan to win the prestigious G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot. The 3 year old daughter of Sea The Stars, winner of the G1 Epsom Oaks on June 6 gave the Irish Oaks a slip for this race and she did well to extend her unbeaten record to four and also earned the distinction of being the first filly to win the Oaks-King George double in the same season after Pawneese in 1976.

Taghrooda raced off the pace in second last while Leitir Mor cut the wind in front, in a decent stride. The filly travelling wide all the way progressed to be in chase of the leading pair of Mukadhram and Telescope approaching the last two furlongs and responding with a brilliant turn of foot when ridden out by Paul, Taghrooda sped past to win it by three lengths. Telescope was the runner-up with Mukhadram finishing third another ‘short head’ behind.  

"They went hard and I didn't plan to sit that far back, but you can only go as fast as you can and she adapted really well," said Hanagan who is on a roll this season.

Trainer John Gosden complimenting his filly on her win said, “It was a special performance and she got a beautiful ride from Paul. They went very hard to test us and he waited patiently and she picked them up. This was a good piece of placing and a good plan, as it was a bit defensive going for the Irish Oaks. She’s got a great mind on her, like her father and had done very well since Epsom as she’s bigger, stronger and more powerful. I thought when they straightened up those Eclipse and Hardwicke winners would be hard to pass, but in the last furlong she showed her class and stamina”