A Glorious Week of Racing

All eyes were on the Sussex Downs last week, where the top stars descended on Goodwood. Over the week there were three Group One’s and plenty of top-class action in every division of racing.

On Tuesday, we got underway with the Goodwood Cup over two miles. This saw Kyprios make his return to the track after beating Stradivarius and Trueshan in a memorable finish, which saw Kyprios dominate the long-distance division for the rest of the 2022 season.

This year looked a little simpler for the Ascot Gold Cup winner, as Ryan Moore held his mount together and swept by the field as they thundered down the hill to the finish.

Kinross looked to make it three wins out of four in the seven-furlong Lennox Stakes, but was thwarted by the front-running Audience, who proved that his win in the Lockinge Stakes was no fluke.

On Wednesday, we were looking forward to an almighty clash between the English and Irish 2000 Guineas winners in the Sussex Stakes. However, Rosallion was pulled out due to a respiratory infection. This left Notable Speech up against St. James’ Palace Stakes second Henry Longfellow.

Bundled up against the rail, William Buick waited for the cutaway and used it to good effect going clear of the field, even with Maljoom closing. Despite Charlie Appleby having a big success, he didn’t follow up for the rest of the week. But another Appleby did.

Michael Appleby won the Group Three Molecomb Stakes as outsider Big Mojo managed to squeeze through a gap and win in style to follow in the footsteps of stablemate Big Evs.

On Thursday it was time for the fillies as Emily Upjohn, 1000 Guineas winner Elmalka and expensive sales purchase and Prix de Diane winner Sparkling Plenty pitted against each other.

However, it was a case of three, two, one for Opera Singer as she claimed her first win of the season, after finishing third in the Irish 1000 Guineas and second in the Coronation Stakes.

Moore made a bold claim after she held on to win, saying that she could step up in trip again and win the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Jan Brueghel made it a double on the day for Aidan O’Brien, as the colt, who only started racing in April, made it three from three in starts and put himself in the St Leger picture after winning the Gordon Stakes.

Friday saw the sprinters take the stage, and it was another success for Big Evs as he overturned his Ascot defeat with Asfoora in the King George Qatar Stakes. This was Michael Appleby’s fourth win at the meeting making him top trainer for the week.

Finally, the Stewards’ Cup saw Get It win the big prize handicap of the week in a complete shock at 40/1 for the George Baker team.