Goliath has been withdrawn from race at Cologne due to a setback

Goliath has been withdrawn from Sunday’s Group One Preis von Europa at Cologne due to a minor setback.

The four-year-old has been off the track since his surprising 25-1 victory in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in July. Following that win, prominent American owner John Stewart acquired a significant stake in the gelding from Philip Baron von Ullmann.

As a gelding, Goliath is ineligible for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. After deciding against a run in the Champion Stakes, connections had focused on the German race before aiming for the Japan Cup.

Goliath was set for a rematch with King George's third Rebel’s Romance in Cologne, but he was missing from the six-horse field announced on Thursday.

Von Ullmann said: “This morning, I spoke with trainer Francis-Henri Graffard, who informed me that Goliath has developed a small foot abscess after his final workout. It’s not a long-term concern, but safety is our priority. We don’t feel it’s right to let him race in Cologne if he’s not at 100% and is in discomfort. Animal welfare comes first. John and I were really looking forward to competing in Cologne, and he had planned to fly in from America, but that’s just the nature of horse racing. We’re still targeting the Japan Cup, but we’ll need to reassess our plans.”

Graffard hopes to give Goliath a preparatory run before the anticipated trip to Japan in November.

He told the PA news agency: “He has a foot abscess and isn’t at his best, so we won’t take any risks. I’ll look over the program and hopefully find a chance for him to race before Japan.”

With Goliath out, Charlie Appleby’s Rebel’s Romance now emerges as the leading contender, alongside German Derby winner Palladium, Jessica Harrington’s Trevaunance, and others including Lordano, Straight, and Erle, who complete the lineup.