Goodwood Cup

Continuing the profiles of the favourite horses of TDN Europe's editorial team in 2023, Heather Anderson selects a bold frontrunner with huge reserves of stamina. At first glance, the admirable Quickthorn (GB), by Newsells Park Stud's perpetually under-appreciated Nathaniel (Ire), had compiled a fairly successful record as a member of the staying ranks throughout his five-year career prior to his Goodwood heroics this August. However, the Lady Blyth homebred elevated his game to another level when taking the G1 Goodwood Cup this summer, and it was the manner in which...

Wathnan Racing is spoilt for choice when it comes to promising stayers, and it is the G2 Queen's Vase winner Gregory (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}) who is the more likely runner in the G1 Qatar Goodwood Cup, while Gold Cup winner Courage Mon Ami (GB) (Frankel {GB}) could wait for York or Doncaster. "They have both come out of Ascot really well, I was in there looking at them last week and I was absolutely delighted with how they look," said Richard Brown, advisor to Wathnan Racing.  "Gregory is a...

All eyes may be turning to Royal Ascot, but Marco Botti has set his sights a little farther down the line to Glorious Goodwood when it comes to the G2 Yorkshire Cup winner Giavellotto (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}). "We want to run hm in the Goodwood Cup, so all being well he will go for that on August 1, and if he remains in good form we would like to run in the Irish St Leger. The timing would be perfect because there are six weeks between the two races," said...

GOODWOOD, UK--The banner on Trundle Hill overlooking Goodwood read, 'Thank You Stradivarius'. Inside the racecourse the message was repeated on branded flags, readied to wave him on his way. But it would seem that Stradivarius is not for retiring. And hurrah to that.  It is almost poetic, in a bloodstock kinda way, that two of the best horses of the modern era, Derby-winning half-brothers no less, should feature in an epic battle between their two sons for a race that was so much more than just the Goodwood Cup.  For...

We have heard much about Frankie Dettori since his ride in the Gold Cup at Ascot, but less so about his luckless mount, Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). By his owner and breeder Bjorn Nielsen he is referred to as 'The Strad', talked of as one would a favourite son or best friend. The eight-year-old stallion has earned his place in Nielsen's heart, just as he has earned the wider affection of the racing public. He remains equine box office, with this season regarded by many as a prolonged...

Sir Ron Priestley (GB) (Australia {GB}) could be facing retirement from racing after re-aggravating the suspensory injury that forced him to the sidelines for the entirety of his 4-year-old campaign last year, trainer Mark Johnston told Racing Post. Paul Dean's 5-year-old entire finished third in Tuesday's G1 Goodwood Cup, but was promptly pulled up by Franny Norton 300 yards after the finish line and brought back in the horse ambulance for assessment. "He has re-injured the old suspensory injury that kept him out during 2020," Johnston told Racing Post. "It...

For so long virtually untouchable in the stayers' division, Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) heads to Tuesday's G1 Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup with a distinct air of vulnerability surrounding him as he attempts a fifth consecutive victory in the prestigious two-miler. Since his emphatic success over Nayef Road (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Santiago (Ire) (Authorized {Ire}), with the latter receiving 15 pounds weight-for-age, in this 12 months ago Bjorn Nielsen's chestnut has had five starts with just a Group 3 win and a second in a Group 2 to...

Trainer Aidan O'Brien has announced plans for two of his 3-year-old stars of 2020, G1 Investec Derby upsetter Serpentine (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and G1 Irish Derby hero Santiago (Ire) (Authorized {Ire}). Serpentine will make his next start in the G1 Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris at ParisLongchamp on Arc Trial day Sept. 13. "The lads [owners Coolmore] wanted to keep him at a mile and a half, with a view that he could go for the Arc or something like that," O'Brien said. The Grand Prix de Paris replaces the...

Double Trigger (Ire) (Ela-Mana-Mou {Ire}), one of the most popular stayers of the modern era, died in retirement at Clarendon Farm on Sunday at the age of 29. During a long and illustrious racing career, Double Trigger won the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot in 1995 but will perhaps be best remembered for his record-breaking three Goodwood Cup wins. He also won the Doncaster Cup on three occasions, including on his final racecourse start at the age of seven. Bred by Dene Investments N V, and bought from Ballygallon Stud...