SCEPTICISM abounded when the most brilliant colt of his generation was injured in late May. Many believed George Washington would be ushered into early retirement to protect his colossal breeding value. Three months on, however, the 2,000 Guineas winner reappears tomorrow in a race that could shape and stimulate the autumn programme.

The inclusion of George Washington in a six-strong field for the totesport Celebration Mile is an enriching bonus for both Goodwood and the BBC, who may be televising a meeting on the downland course for the final time. Indeed, this compelling clash of ages and genders is a bonus for every racing follower.

Until recently, the commercial certainties of a stud career would probably have persuaded Coolmore to draw stumps with the explosive but intractable colt, who pulled a muscle in his hip when suffering a shock defeat to Araafa in the Irish Guineas.

However, a refreshing inclination to keep even classic winners, such as Alexandrova, in training is now evident among John Magnier’s team. While future plans for George Washington are necessarily uncertain, a return to England for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes next month is an obvious option.

Yesterday, his trainer, Aidan O’Brien, explained: “He’s ready to go racing again, although we are bringing him back quicker than we would normally after an injury like his.”

George Washington’s mulish behaviour before and after the Guineas at Newmarket drew as much attention as his surge to victory. O’Brien explained: “We’ve never had a colt that had such a domineering instinct. He doesn’t believe any horse or human should tell him what to do.”

At Goodwood, however, he will meet his elders for the first time, presenting a quite different challenge. Heading the opposition is Soviet Song, the six-year-old filly who exemplifies the benefits of an extended racing career.

She is dropping below group one company for only the second time in 15 months — on the previous occasion, at Royal Ascot in June, she won with disdainful ease. She has convinced her trainer, James Fanshawe, that all the old ability remains and could run again in the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown in a fortnight.

Sir Michael Stoute, who has won the Celebration Mile four times in the past six years, fields Rob Roy, again ridden by Ryan Moore, the champion jockey-elect. At York this week, Moore rode his first group one winner on Notnowcato, also for Stoute, and reacted with wide-eyed delight.

The only lucky element for Moore was that Mick Kinane rejected the winner to partner Dylan Thomas for O’Brien instead. Kinane has also ridden Rob Roy regularly but understandably takes the vacant ride on George Washington.

Kieren Fallon, having done so much to educate him, will view with frustrated interest from the Curragh, where, by coincidence, he links up with the trainer of Araafa, Jeremy Noseda. Noseda has booked Fallon to ride Simply Perfect in the Moyglare Stud Stakes, a group one race for two-year-old fillies. Important though the race is, the attention of both men will drift inevitably to Goodwood, with Fallon wondering if he will ever again sit on George Washington and Noseda daring to believe that his stated dream of a rematch with Araafa may yet come to pass.

If it happens at Ascot next month, however, Noseda may have to secure a new jockey. Alan Munro, Araafa’s regular rider, must undergo a series of tests over the coming fortnight to determine whether he is fit to resume riding after the “convulsion” he suffered on a flight last weekend.