Goodwood

While the 2023 English summer staggers on in dour misery, Britain looks to the Qatar Goodwood Festival which in terms of the weather is a far cry from its prior "Glorious Goodwood" standing but in terms of thoroughbred quality is up there with any of its counterparts. This week, we get to see the Royal Ascot heroes Courage Mon Ami (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Paddington (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) and the likes of Blue Rose Cen (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) and Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}), to name a few. If the rain...

Top sprinter Highfield Princess (Fr) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) will return from her mid-summer break with a start in the G2 King George Qatar S. at Goodwood on Friday, Aug. 4, trainer John Quinn confirmed on Wednesday. The triple Group 1-winning sprinter ran second in her seasonal bow, the G2 Duke of York S. in May, and was second and third in the G1 King's Stand S. and G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee S. at Royal Ascot last month. "Last year we gave her a mid-season break, which she did...

Marco Botti is hoping a decision to sidestep the Gold Cup at Ascot with Giavellotto (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) pays dividends when his stable star lines out in the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup in August. Promoted to third in the St Leger behind Eldar Eldarov (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) last season, Giavellotto accounted for that rival in the Yorkshire Cup last month. However, Botti decided against running Giavellotto at Ascot due to the trip, and revealed that Goodwood has always been Plan A for the progressive stayer.  "Giavellotto is very well and...

Connections of the 2,000 Guineas winner Chaldean (GB) (Frankel {GB}) could bid to turn the tables on Paddington (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) in the G1 Sussex S. at Goodwood after suffering a comprehensive defeat to Aidan O'Brien's Irish 2,000 Guineas winner in the St James's Palace S. at Royal Ascot last week.  Frankie Dettori attempted to make all the running aboard Andrew Balding's Juddmonte-owned colt, who had no answer when Paddington swooped by early in the straight at Ascot, but those associated with the colt are far from downbeat after the...

Blue Rose Cen (Ire), one of the most exciting horses in France, is set to make her British bow in the Qatar Nassau S. at Goodwood on August 3. Christopher Head's star completed a rare treble at Chantilly when strolling to victory in the Prix de Diane earlier this month, adding to victories in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and last year's Marcel Boussac-a feat previously achieved by the likes of Zarkava (Ire) (Zamindar), Divine Proportions (Kingmambo) and Allez France (Sea Bird {Fr}). Blue Rose Cen, who has won seven...

Impressive when off the mark by 4 3/4 lengths on debut at Haydock last month, Shadwell's Al Asifah (GB) (Frankel {GB}--Aneen {Ire}, by Lawman {Fr}) was prompting Classic talk after making light work of her first black-type test in Sunday's Listed Weatherbys Digital Solutions British EBF Agnes Keyser Fillies' S. at Goodwood. Not missed in the market as the 4-7 favourite for the 10-furlong contest, the John and Thady Gosden-trained relative of the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas-winning sire Awtaad (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}) was settled a few lengths off the...

Following in the steps of Lionel (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) 12 months ago, Normandie Stud's homebred Gregory (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}) emulated that half-brother's success in Goodwood's Listed British EBF 40th Anniversary Cocked Hat S. on Friday. Heavily-supported into 4-7 favouritism having brushed aside decent yardsticks on debut over nearly 12 furlongs at Haydock in April, the John and Thady Gosden-trained bay raced behind the leading duo early. Notably unhappy on the unique terrain four out, he nevertheless kept responding to Rob Havlin's urgings to get on top passing...

Bypassing the 2000 Guineas in favour of another confidence-building exercise in Goodwood's British EBF 40th Anniversary Conditions S. on Friday, Rosehill Racing's bargain 32,000gns Book 3 purchase Cicero's Gift (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}--Terentia {GB}, by Diktat {GB}) rewarded that patience by taking his record to three-for-three with consummate ease to become the latest TDN Rising Star. Sent off the 7-4 second favourite for the mile contest, the Charlie Hills-trained relative of the smart sprinter Cartimandua (GB) (Medicean {GB}) was settled under cover on the rail by Kieran Shoemark throughout the early...

2023 G1 Saudi Cup hero Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) will target the G1 Sussex S. at Goodwood in August, according to the entire's trainer Yoshito Yahagi. Yahagi, who ran Bathrat Leon (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), told www.netkeiba.com, "We had the idea of a mile race somewhere, I think the Sussex S. on a tough course would suit. The [G1] International S. is the flattest one-turn race in the UK, and I have the image of it being suited to a speed type of horse." Panthalassa won the 2022 G1 Dubai...

Edited Press Release For the first time in the 40-year history of the organisation, the British European Breeders' Fund will increase its contribution to prize money to £2 million. "Britain continues to be recognised for the quality of its stallion market: we stand promising young sires and established producers of Champions," said British EBF Chairman Simon Sweeting. "The support of all our stallion owners to the British EBF means we can support well over 700 flat races in 2023 with £1.9million, our biggest commitment to date. With our National Hunt...

It may be the least lauded of all the British festivals, but Doncaster's St Leger meeting is arguably the most varied with its cherished feature race still held in the highest regard by its many ardent fans. While Town Moor hosted day one of the festival on Wednesday, the relatively low-key action served mainly as a prologue or appetizer to the major upcoming events. Perhaps this week's jewels are the 2-year-old races, which lean more towards next year's Classics than those at Ascot, Newmarket, Goodwood and York and one of...

The Platinum Queen (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}), impressive winner of Goodwood's Alice Keppel Fillies' Conditions S. July 27, is being considered for the Coolmore G1 Nunthorpe S. at York Aug. 19. Campaigned by Middleham Park Racing, the juvenile would have to be supplemented to the five-furlong test. Sent off the 5-6 favorite in her latest start, the Richard Fahey-trained filly came home a four-length winner over nine rivals, setting a new track record for 2-year-olds while recording a faster time than the winner of the G3 Molecomb S. on the...