'We jumped in the pool and ordered som champagne'
| Date | 19 May 2021 |
| Published date | 19 May 2021 |
A first piece of work in the spring gave Best and owner John Mayne the impression they had a smart sprinter on their hands.
Best recalls: "He wasn't the most stunning yearling to look at, but there was just something about him. He was very strong and correct in his conformation.
"The first time we worked him we thought we had a really nice prospect. He was an okay mover in his slow paces, but when we did a stronger piece with him we saw his talent straight away. Suddenly he became very good!"
Connections declared the son of Mujadil for a maiden at York three weeks prior to Royal Ascot, but waterlogging put paid to that plan and they decided to chance their arm and head straight to the royal meeting.
It was a decision that was justified as the 66-1 shot belied market expectations in no uncertain terms to finish a head second in the Windsor Castle Stakes on his debut.
Best says: "We knew he was pretty decent as he was working with an 80-rated fouryear-old called Mine Behind, who was a very good workhorse. For Kingsgate Native to outwork him on some occasions showcased his ability, as that's a real tall order for a two-year-old at that time of year.
"It may have looked like we planned it all by going to Royal Ascot first time out, but that wasn't quite the case as York was cancelled on the day. If we'd won the Windsor Castle I'd have taken the credit though!
"It was an amazing run and he showed everything he had been showing us at home. He was probably just that little bit green and if York had gone ahead I think he would have won easily."
Kingsgate Native was beaten a neck in the Molecomb on his second start at Glorious Goodwood, teeing up a tilt at the Nunthorpe.
It was on the Knavesmire in August where he made history, becoming the first two-year-old since 1992 scorer Lyric Fantasy to beat his elders in the Group 1 contest - a remarkable race to break your maiden in.
For Best it brings back great memories as he watched the race from an office at Ocala sales in Florida, having been out in the US buying yearlings.
Best says: "Kingsgate Native had the natural ability and speed, but the reason he was able to compete in the Nunthorpe and Abbaye as a juvenile was because he wasn't like a two-year-old. He was more like a four-year-old, and we were very careful what we did with him between runs.
"John [Mayne] said...
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