Kevin’s first ever group winner was 17 years ago when Eastern Purple rattled home in the Greenlands Stakes over 6f. That was obviously a pivotal moment in his career and from that point Kevin became synonymous with sprinters. Halmahera came along and made history with a hat-trick of Portland wins, Advanced took the prestigious Ayr Gold Cup, the first of three that Kevin has won. Amadeus Wolf broke new ground when capturing the Middle Park, securing the first ever group 1 win for Kevin. Desert Lord, Benbaun, Masamah, Our Jonathan, Captain Ramius, Tiddliwinks, Bogart, York Glory the list goes on, all top class sprinters that have graced the Hambleton gallops. It is a division that Kevin has always had strength in and every year would have at least one star to take on the very best. Astaire and Hot Streak had been plying their trade at the very highest level for the past couple of years, securing a handful of group victories between them. Hot Streak has now headed of to a new career at stud, whilst tragedy occurred when Astaire passed  away late last year. These two loses of high quality horses would be a massive dent to any trainer’s team and it was certainly felt at Hambleton Lodge. There were plenty of nice looking two year olds in the yard and some three year olds who could potentially progress to that level in time but it looked as though there could be a hole left in the yard. Fortunately a phone call led to the classy sprinter Goken arriving at Hambleton Lodge late in 2015 and he certainly looks capable of mixing it at group level. 

Owner Mr Guy Pariente stands the stallion Kendargent, who has made a name for himself as a sire purely from his offspring. The majority of stallions who are at stud have had a great racing career and head off with a big reputation, whether they succeed or not is then up to results. Kendargent was a good horse but no superstar, yet he has managed to produce some good offspring and is now becoming a leading sire in France. He only covered a handful of mares in his first few seasons, but despite this he was producing good horses and Kevin bought Erik The Red at the 2014 Arqanna Breeze Ups for E180,000. The subsequent success of Erik and then Mont Kiara led to Mr Pariente offering the chance to train Goken. After a quick look through his form it was obvious that Hambleton Lodge was about to house another quality sprinter. 

2014

As a 2 year old Goken certainly announced himself as one of France’s leading juveniles over the sprint distances and his form stacked up with some of the best in Europe over 5f and 6f. He must have shown a lot early on at home as his first assignment came early in the season when he tackled a 4 1/2f maiden at Saint Cloud on 25th March, a month shy of his second birthday. Goken got off to a very promising start when finishing second on debut. 

The promise shown in his first run was well and truly confirmed in the following two races as Goken took two condition races with ease. His second run came at Chantilly, home of the Prix Du Jockey Club, where he lined up against his conqueror from his first run. The result turned out to be very different as Goken powered home and destroyed the field by 8 lengths. It was a glimpse at his ability but his next start was just as impressive. Once again it was a conditions race at Chantilly, once again it was over 5f and once again Goken destroyed the field, barely breaking a sweat and storming clear to win by 6 lengths. 

He was now touted as a group performer and he was beginning to look a real prospect but before getting carried away he would have to prove himself at group class. His fourth start saw him again back at Chantilly to take on group 3 company over 5f. There were a couple of raiders from Britain but it was Goken who was favourite to take his streak to 3 wins. Showing blistering pace he soon led and that was that. At the 2f marker he was asked to quicken and so he did, kicking clear and winning comfortably. Despite the step up in class he treated his rivals in the same manner and won impressively. From 4 starts he had won 3 and the total winning distance totalled 16 lengths, proving he was a very good animal. 

The Prix Robert Papin has been owned by British raiders in recent years but Goken headed there as a strong favourite, trying to keep the prize at home. It was the first time he had raced over 5 1/2f and he was having to contend with Kool Kompany who had just won the group 2 Railway Stakes. Unfortunately it went with the recent trend and although showing up for a long way, Goken succumbed to the British challenger, weakening into fourth. This break in the winning sequence would continue throughout the rest of the season, but his form was arguably better.

The first time he ran over 6f was in the group 1 Prix Mourny. Adopting his usual front running tactics he ran a little keen before weakening into a respectable fourth. Next was his toughest assignment as he stayed in group 1 company but this time he would take on his elders in the 5f Prix De L’Abbaye. It was always going to be a tough ask and he just couldn’t keep up with his stronger and older rivals over one of the fastest 5f sprints in world racing. This result did not take too much out of him though as Goken rounded off his 2 year old campaign by finishing third in the Criterium De Maissons Laffitte, a group 2 event over 6f.

2015

As many racing fans know it was very hard for 3 year old sprinters in Britain as there was no program for them and they would have to take on their elders immediately. That changed last year but in France they have always had a sprinting program laid out and it was this route that Goken went down. 

Chantilly was becoming like a second home and it was where Goken would start of his season. After a successful first season, there was a lot expected as a 3 year old and this was shown with the punters support on his seasonal debut. Having shown proficiency at 5f and 6f there were plenty of options for him but he was to start over 6f. With a new jockey on board in the form of legendary Frenchman Olivier Peslier, Goken kept the same tactics and quickly burst into the lead. He looked as good as ever towing the field along and was travelling strongly into the latter stages. The lead lasted well into the final furlong until he relented, slightly tiring towards the end of the race. Goken just weakened into third but wa only beat 1/2 length and showed everyone that he retained every ounce of ability. 

The first run proved to be a good workout for Goken, any cobwebs were well and truly blown away and he was back to tip top shape. The next run would be at Maissons Laffitte and a drop to 5 1/2f . It was another display of speed as he jumped straight into a lead. Goken burnt through the early stages and set out to make all. That is exactly what he did and despite the blistering pace he managed to keep it up until they crossed the line. In addition to another group 3 victory he had reversed the placings from the previous race and showed that he could be one of France’s leading sprint hopes.

Goken had won at group 3 level at 2 and 3 years old so now it was time to take a jump up in grade and see how he would fair in group 1 company. As a 2 year old he had run well in the Prix Mourny but had come up short. Now 3 years old he was set to cross the Channel and set foot on British sole as he lined up for the new race at Royal Ascot, the Commonwealth Cup a group 1 event for 3 year olds only. Goken was ranked amongst the outsiders but he ran better than his odds suggested. Typically he burst to the front, ran at a great pace and tried to make home. The tactics were his usual but the track was different to anything he had ever raced on. The stiff Ascot straight made it very difficult for him and after leading the field to the 1f marker the ferocious pace caught up with him. Goken weakened but still managed to finish eighth out of eighteen and barring the winner was only beaten just over 3 lengths. Although that was the first running of the Commonwealth Cup it turned out to be a very smart race. The winner Muhaarar went on to win 3 more group 1’s and be crowned champion sprinter, Limato was one of the most talked about horses in training and subsequently won a group 2 and finished second in a group 1. Just one place in front of Goken was Adaay who went on to win a group 2 on his following start, New Profidence finished behind and then won a group 3, whilst the champion 2 year old filly Tiggy Wiggy was well beaten. It was a race packed with quality and Goken had shown plenty in such a competitive event.

Goken raced once more and it was at another festival, Glorious Goodwood. The 5f Audi King George is a race that is run at break neck speed. There was speedballs all across the track  and the pace was ferocious from the start. Goken struggled from the get go and was beaten by halfway. The defeat was a little exaggerated as he got hampered once beat but this would be his last run of the turf season.

NEW HOME

It was October when Goken arrived at Hambleton Lodge and Kevin was excited and very keen to get going with his new tenant. The form was in the book and he had already shown the ability of a group horse. Unfortunately there was no time or races left in the season but Kevin immediately turned his attention to the all-weather and Lingfield. The Golden Rose stakes on 14th November was set as a target, a race that Kevin has won a couple of times in the past. Having arrived in England after a season campaign, Goken was fit and it took only a little bit of work and time to get him into the routine at Hambleton. Immediately he began to get the yard excited after a couple of impressive pieces of work. 

With a horse of Goken’s ability you really are thrown in at the deep end and the Golden Rose looked a hot race. As the gates opened there was an immediate difference as Graham Lee managed to settle his mount just behind the leaders. The new tactic and the cover he got allowed Goken to settle and he got into a lovely rhythm tracking the leaders. Throughout the race he travelled with consummate ease and turning for home he was cantering all over the leaders. Graham pulled him off the rail, gave him a squeeze and in a matter of strides Goken quickened past the leaders. He didn’t stop and carried on quickening, powering all the way to the line to win by a very easy 2 lengths. It was a great start and Graham barely had to move. He was not quite 100% and he beat a good field decisively. Jamesie finished second, rated 100 and who has gone on to finish second in Dubai. Rivellino was fifth and followed that run by winning a listed event at Lingfield 2 runs later. Medicean Man has been a constant figure in all the world’s best sprints, he finished sixth and then won a good handicap next time out. Lightscameraaction was well beaten and then won a class 2 handicap next time out. The form stacked up and it proved just how good a performance it was. 

Straight after the race it was decided that Goken would have a break, so he spent the winter in Newmarket at The National Stud. 

2016

Now he is back in training after a nice winter break what is in store for Goken in his first full season at Hambleton Lodge. He is now four and had strengthened up again, coming back a bigger horse and looking like the finished article. He has already done a couple of pieces of work and they have been very pleasing. His form has been very good from day one and comparing this to his current work certainly gets the team excited. He definitely looks a capable of mixing with the big boys and could be seen in some of the very best sprints this season. 

• All Weather Championships 6f (Listed) – Having won his first start for Kevin over course and distance, a return to Lingfield could be in order on Good Friday. The listed race offers a big purse to the winner and would put him in great shape early in the season. 
• Abernant 6f (G3) – Kevin has won the last two runnings of this group 3 event and it is a nice starting point for the season ahead. The undulating nature of the track leads to a quick race but with the stiff finish they must see out the trip well.
• Palace House 5f (G3) or Duke Of York 6f (G2) – Goken is equally affective over 5f and 6f so this could be a decision made nearer the time.  The Palace House is a real test of speed, with the 5f run downhill through the first half of the race. The Duke Of York is local to the yard and Kevin has saddled two winners of the group 2 race. Although a furlong further York is a very fast track with a flat, galloping surface that tests a sprinter’s speed and stamina.
• Temple Stakes 5f (G2) – Hot Streak won this race in 2014 and it proved a nice stepping stone to Royal Ascot. Now run at Haydock it is a quick 5f but the track is flat and runs at no bias.
• King’s Stand 5f (G1) or Diamond Jubilee 6f (G1) – Royal Ascot is one of the world’s greatest meetings and it hosts two of the very best sprints. The track is a stiff test over both distances with the ground rising as son as they leave the stalls. Both races draw a fantastic international field and they take a very good horse to win. Again the choice would be made in the best interest of the horse.
• July Cup 6f (G1) – A natural option straight after Royal Ascot and due to this there is still a lot of international runners. Like the Rowley, Newmarket’s July course is an undulating test, starting downhill before the final 2f finish uphill. Pace, balance, rhythm and stamina are all required.
• Audi King George (G2) – The fastest 5f sprint in Britain this offers a unique test. Goodwood is all downhill, the track is uneven so even the very best sprinters can get caught out travelling at speed there. 
• Nunthorpe 5f (G1) – Kevin has had 3 seconds in the race and would love to finally win it at his favourite track, York. The wide track allows big fields and it really does turn out to be a cavalry charge with no bias on draw. It is a real speed test and really gets the Yorkshire crowd cheering as the runners fly past the grandstand.
• Haydock Sprint Cup 6f (G1) – With the season drawing towards the latter stages the weather can turn the ground on the softer side for this race. Haydock always have the track in great condition but it can be a real stamina sapping race, run at a strong gallop on soft ground, you need a brave horse that will truly see out 6f.
• Champions Sprint 6f (G1) – A new addition to the sprint division but a wonderful race to finish the British season on. Run over the same course and distance as the Diamond Jubilee it can prove an even stiffer test as the ground tends to be soft come October. 
• Prix De L’Abbaye 5f (G1) – The one race that Goken has already run in and it would be great to see him run well in Mr Pariente’s home country. Probably one of the fastest 5f sprints in the world, the draw can be a major factor and it is not unusual to see trouble in running. Let the handbrake off and hold on because speed is everything and it can be a bit no holds barred.

Obviously these are only options and it could easily be seen that Goken will continuously change from 5f and 6f. As well as the races above there are also options in Ireland with races such as the Greenlands, Pheonix and Sapphire Stakes. France also offers some very good options and these will be considered if they fit into the schedule of the season. The most important thing is to see how Goken can progress but from what he has shown so far, he certainly looks a group sprinter and it is very exciting looking forward.