The Del Mar summer meet, widely regarded as one of the premier destinations for American Thoroughbred racing, bore witness to a display of tactical brilliance and raw speed on Sunday as the Grade 1-winning miler King of Gosford secured a wire-to-wire victory in the $101,500 Wickerr Stakes. Under the expert guidance of jockey Umberto Rispoli and the meticulous preparation of trainer Phil D’Amato, the five-year-old entire dictated the terms from the break, fending off a late-closing field to solidify his status as a titan of the Southern California turf circuit.
Sent off as the 7-5 betting favorite in a competitive field of eight, King of Gosford entered the gates with the weight of expectation. The race, a restricted listed stakes for three-year-olds and upward, served as a vital stepping stone for horses looking to regain their elite form or transition toward the high-stakes engagements of the late summer and autumn seasons. By the time the field crossed the finish line in a sharp 1:34.48 for the two-turn mile, King of Gosford had not only justified his favoritism but had also provided a masterclass in front-running efficiency.
The Tactical Execution: A Wire-to-Wire Masterclass
From the moment the gates opened on the firm Del Mar turf course, King of Gosford signaled his intentions. Breaking cleanly from his post, the son of Zoustar immediately surged to the lead, a position he would never relinquish. Rispoli, known for his keen sense of pace on the grass, allowed the horse to find a comfortable rhythm while maintaining a narrow but decisive advantage over the chasing pack.
The opening quarter-mile was clocked in a measured 23.85 seconds, followed by a half-mile split of 47.92. These fractions allowed King of Gosford to conserve enough energy for the inevitable challenges that would materialize in the final stages of the race. As the field moved through the six-furlong mark in 1:11.79, Captain Choochies, a 15-1 longshot, remained the primary stalker, hovering just off the leader’s flank.
As the field rounded the far turn and straightened for home, the complexion of the race shifted. Captain Choochies, having exerted himself to keep pace with the favorite, began to fade. Meanwhile, Juan Hernandez aboard Artislas made a bold move from mid-pack, briefly appearing as a legitimate threat as they reached mid-stretch. However, the most significant challenge came from the outside. Twirling Point, a five-year-old gelding who had been claimed for $50,000 in March, unleashed a powerful late rally under Ricardo Gonzalez.
Despite the closing speed of Twirling Point, King of Gosford remained resolute. Responding to Rispoli’s urging, the leader dug in over the final sixteenth, crossing the wire 1 1/4 lengths ahead of the hard-charging Twirling Point. Artislas held on for third, a head behind the runner-up, while the rest of the field, including Atitlan and First Peace, were left to battle for the minor spoils.
Background and Pedigree: The Making of a Champion
King of Gosford’s journey to the winner’s circle at Del Mar is a testament to the global nature of modern horse racing. Bred in England by the Benowitz Family Trust and partners, the horse began his career in the stable of Irish trainer Andy Oliver. His early promise was evident when he broke his maiden on the Emerald Isle as a two-year-old, showing the precocity often associated with his sire, Zoustar.
Zoustar, an Australian-bred powerhouse, has become a significant influence in international breeding, known for producing horses with immense speed and the ability to carry that speed over a mile. King of Gosford’s dam, Miss Sugars, a daughter of Harbour Watch, provides a blend of European stamina and tactical versatility.
Upon his transfer to the United States and the barn of Phil D’Amato, King of Gosford’s career reached new heights. D’Amato, a perennial leader among trainers in Southern California, is particularly renowned for his success with European imports. Under his tutelage, King of Gosford won his first three starts on American soil, quickly ascending the ranks of the turf division.
The pinnacle of his career prior to Sunday’s victory was a courageous win in the 2025 Shoemaker Mile (G1) at Santa Anita Park. In that race, he displayed the same grit seen in the Wickerr, prevailing by a neck against some of the finest milers in the country. While he finished third in his defense of the Shoemaker Mile earlier this year, his performance in the Wickerr suggests that he remains at the peak of his powers.
Statistical Breakdown and Payouts
The victory in the Wickerr Stakes added $60,000 to King of Gosford’s bankroll, bringing his lifetime earnings to an impressive $822,195. His career record now stands at eight wins, three seconds, and three thirds from 21 starts, reflecting a consistency that is highly valued by his ownership group, which includes the Benowitz Family Trust, CYBT, Saul Gevertz, Michael Nentwig, and Jeremy Peskoff.
For bettors, King of Gosford was a reliable choice, paying $4.80 for a $2 win bet, and $3.00 for both place and show. The exacta, bolstered by the 30-1 longshot Twirling Point, provided a handsome return for those who looked past the favorite’s immediate challengers. Twirling Point’s second-place finish paid $16.80 to place and $8.00 to show, while Artislas returned $5.00 for the show spot.
The final order of finish saw Atitlan (5-1) in fourth, followed by First Peace (4-1), Freedom’s Not Free (3-1), American Hope (24-1), and the early stalker Captain Choochies (15-1). The scratch of Mi Hermano Ramon reduced the field to eight runners, but the quality of the competition remained high.
The Phil D’Amato Factor: Turf Dominance at Del Mar
The success of King of Gosford further cements Phil D’Amato’s reputation as the "King of the Turf" in Southern California. D’Amato’s ability to keep a horse at a high level of performance over multiple seasons is a hallmark of his training style. By selecting the Wickerr Stakes—a race limited to non-winners of a major stakes since October 1—D’Amato found the perfect "confidence builder" for a horse that had been competing against Grade 1 and Grade 2 company for over a year.
"He’s a horse that loves to be in the game," D’Amato has noted in previous interviews regarding King of Gosford’s temperament. The decision to use the Wickerr as a prep race demonstrates a strategic approach to horse management, ensuring the animal remains competitive while targeting specific windows of opportunity in the racing calendar.
Jockey Umberto Rispoli also deserves significant credit for the victory. Rispoli’s riding style, which often emphasizes aggressive positioning and a "clock in the head" mentality, is perfectly suited for a horse like King of Gosford. By controlling the pace, Rispoli forced the other jockeys to make their moves earlier than they might have liked, ultimately leaving them with insufficient reserves to catch the leader in the final furlong.
Broader Implications and Future Outlook
The Wickerr Stakes is more than just a $100,000 race; it is a barometer for the health of the West Coast turf division. With the Breeders’ Cup World Championships often returning to Southern California, local prep races like the Wickerr take on added significance. King of Gosford’s performance suggests he could be a contender for the Del Mar Mile (G2) or the City of Hope Mile (G2) later this year.
Furthermore, the performance of the runner-up, Twirling Point, highlights the depth of the claiming ranks in California. To see a horse claimed for $50,000 nearly upend a Grade 1 winner speaks to the competitive nature of the circuit and the skill of trainers like those in the Del Mar backstretch who can improve a horse’s form significantly in a matter of months.
As the Del Mar summer meet continues, the turf course will remain a focal point of the action. King of Gosford has set a high bar for the miler division, and his rivals will need to find a way to neutralize his gate-to-wire speed if they hope to dethrone him in the coming months. For now, the Benowitz Family Trust and their partners can celebrate a horse that has proven, time and again, that he is a true professional of the sport.
With career earnings approaching the $1 million mark and a pedigree that suggests continued longevity, King of Gosford remains one of the most exciting horses in training. His victory on Sunday was not just a win on the lead; it was a statement of intent for the remainder of the 2026 racing season. As the sun sets on another spectacular day at Del Mar, the "King" remains firmly on his throne.
