Big-spending American Owner Buys King George Giant-killer Goliath for Global Campaign
August 23rd, 2024
John Stewart, who made a dramatic entry to the sport less than a year ago, secured a controlling share in the French star for his Resolute Racing racing operation.
A big-spending American owner has made his biggest splash yet into the sport in Europe.
John Stewart made a spectacular entry into racehorse ownership last autumn when he spent £20million at the Keeneland Sales.
He has continued adding to his Resolute Racing operation, attending all the major sales and taking stakes in horses in the US and Austalia.
He has quickly developed a star laden broodmare band of ex-Breeders’ Cup winners and other blue-bloods, including some acquired Coolmore to base at the Kentucky farm he bought from Shadwell Stud.
Stewart made his fortune in private equity having started his working life as a £7.50 an hour production line worker on the night shift at Toyota. He went on to run the company’s operation in Britain.
He is pursuing his passion in horse racing with vigour and has now announced the purchase of Goliath, now one of the biggest names in Europe after landing the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, in which Auguste Rodin was one of his victims.
He has bought a 75 percent stake in the Francis Graffard-trained star whose previous owner Philip von Ullman will retain 25 per cent.
Stewart said: “We are eager to add this great horse to our racing stable. His performance against Auguste Rodin and other top European horses in the King George was a major factor in my determination to purchase the controlling share of him.
“He dominated those horses and our plan is to campaign him around the world with his current trainer in the major turf races including the Japan Cup and the Sheema Classic in Dubai.
“Next year we will consider both Australia and Hong Kong for the best turf races. The whole world deserves to see Goliath.”