Harbinger simply unbelievable as he wins in unprecedented style

In the fifth of a six-part series building up to the King George, we focus on the best performances in the Ascot midsummer showpiece on Racing Post Ratings. Graham Dench continues with Harbinger, who recorded a figure of 135 in 2010

It was one of those races that had to be seen to be believed – and then watched again and again before the reality could be accepted.

It was not that Harbinger was an unlikely winner of the race, despite being nominally Sir Michael Stoute's number two behind record-breaking Derby winner Workforce in a field that also included recent Irish Derby hero Cape Blanco and three-time Arc second Youmzain. After all, he was a four-year-old very much on the up after successive wins in the John Porter, the Ormonde and the Hardwicke.

However, world championship-class races like the King George simply are not won in the fashion that Harbinger displayed, let alone by the extraordinary margin he effortlessly put between himself and the rest when sauntering right away from top-class rivals in the final furlong and a half after travelling with conspicuous ease throughout.

Generous had won the King George by seven lengths, while Mill Reef, Dahlia and St Jovite all scored by six, and fellow greats Ribot and Daylami by five. But 11 lengths, and on midsummer ground rather than a distance-exaggerating bog? Surely not.

Olivier Peslier, who was on board Harbinger for the first time in public after Ryan Moore understandably stuck with his Derby winner, has ridden some of the best horses of modern times and has a big-race portfolio to match almost anyone's, but even he could barely believe it.

Looking back on the race with the benefit of another seven years' perspective he recalls: "It was a fantastic win and I shall never forget it.

"I had ridden Harbinger in work beforehand and felt I had a good chance in the race. But the manner in which he won gave me an amazing feeling as he was travelling on the bridle throughout.

"It's very unusual for a horse to win a top-class race like the King George in such fashion, and he received a tremendous reception. It was such a shame we were never able to see just how good he might be in the future, but we certainly saw how good he was that day."

Racing Post handicapper Sam Walker says…...

Sir Michael Stoute rocked up at Ascot with two of the hottest stars around. His Derby winner Workforce was sent off favourite, but Olivier Peslier had different ideas aboard the progressive Harbinger. He stalked the Derby winner in the early stages before moving powerfully into the lead and storming clear to win by an eye-popping 11 lengths.

It wasn't completely out of the blue, as he had earned an RPR of 129 when winning the Hardwicke Stakes on his previous start, but, with injury forcing his retirement two weeks later, this was to be his sole Group 1 success. It was enough nevertheless to earn him the world title in 2010.

If you liked this, read about more King George greats here:

2000: Imperious Montjeu a fitting fiftieth winner

1997: Battling Swain grinds it out against firmament of stars

1992: St Jovite routs his rivals with awesome display

1999: Daylami takes his form to another level