Tag: Qatar Goodwood Festival

King George The Friday Focus

Despite all the top-level contests being done at the Qatar Goodwood Festival, Friday's action at the Sussex venue is almost as compelling with the G2 King George Qatar S. the fast and frenzied feature.

Now that Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) is in a deserved retirement, one of Britain's fastest five-furlong sprints is looking for a new ruler but at present he is not instantly recognisable in the void left by Shadwell's super-charged performer. Perhaps the best to hope for is an engaging spectacle as the July 2 G3 Sandown Sprint S. one-two Raasel (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) and Mitbaahy (Ire) (Profitable {Ire}) renew rivalry on this entirely different track.

The Horse Watchers' Raasel–who once raced in the Battaash colours–relished the uphill finish at the Esher venue to deny Hasan Mefareh Alajmi and Fawzi Nass's 3-year-old Mitbaahy by a neck, but he is also two-for-two in handicaps over this course and distance so must rate as a versatile as well as progressive performer. The syndicate's Chris Dixon revealed that the Breeders' Cup is in the syndicate's sights for the Mick Abbleby-trained 5-year-old. “Whatever happens here, so long as he comes out of it well, I think we'll be running in the Nunthorpe and we'll go from there. We'll think about the Breeders' Cup at the end of the season potentially as well, so it's exciting stuff and we're going to find out a lot more in the next couple of months, I guess,” he said.

“This is the race that we've always had our eye on, even before he ran in the listed race at Haydock,” Dixon added. “You know that bridge from handicaps to group races in five-furlong races isn't always massive and we know he likes Goodwood so much, so basically after he won his handicap there earlier in the season, we kind of thought this is where we'd come and it was just a case of how we got here.” Mitbaahy, a half-brother to the GI Del Mar Oaks heroine Going Global (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), came to the fore with a win in Sandown's Listed Scurry S. June 11 and holds every chance of reversing the form with Raasel with age on his side.

 

Retrieval Missions

Also in the King George is the Hayses' Equilateral (GB) (Equiano {Fr}) and Khaadem (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), with the latter looking the most intriguing. He took this meeting's Stewards' Cup in 2019 and appeared a revitalised character when making all in Newmarket's G3 Palace House S. Apr. 30, but left the stalls without his rider in Royal Ascot's G1 King's Stand S. June 14. There is nothing the like of Baaeed (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in the G3 Bonhams Thoroughbred S. the Shadwell star won 12 months ago, but last year's G2 Champagne S. scorer and G1 Dewhurst S. and G1 Futurity Trophy third Bayside Boy (Ire) (New Bay {GB}) remains a class act despite finishing out of the frame in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains at ParisLongchamp May 15 and Royal Ascot's G1 St James's Palace S. June 14. “He ran well at Ascot in the St James's Palace, which is proving to be a strong piece of form and there is plenty to take from the race,” trainer Roger Varian said of Teme Valley and Ballylinch Stud's representative. We would look at that race as his first proper race of the season–the French Guineas was a bit of a non-event, so we think that piece of form at Ascot would present him with a strong chance in this race.”

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Frankel’s Nashwa Too Good In The Nassau

Class has told all week so far at the Qatar Goodwood Festival and on Thursday it was the turn of TDN Rising Star Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}) to excel in the G1 Qatar Nassau S. Sent off the 6-5 favourite having loped to post like an old hand under Hollie Doyle, Imad Al Sagar's G1 Prix de Diane heroine cruised from rear down the outer to swoop on the front end with a furlong remaining and assert for an ultimately-comfortable 1 3/4-length success from the 40-1 outsider Aristia (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), with Lilac Road (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) half a length behind in third. “I am very emotional when it comes to her–she is my first Classic-winning homebred and is a future broodmare for Blue Diamond,” Al Sagar commented. “We noticed from early in her career that she was special, but how special we didn't know. Since April she has developed at a very fast pace physically and mentally.”

 

Labelled a TDN Rising Star following her emphatic 6 1/2-length success on her 3-year-old bow over a mile at Haydock Apr. 23, Nashwa has continued to grow in stature with each passing week and her smooth win in Newbury's Listed Haras de Bouquetot Fillies' Trial S. over a mile and a quarter May 14 was followed by a game third in the Oaks which stretched her too far. Back in action 16 days later when she provided her jockey and her owner-breeder with personal landmarks in the Diane at an appreciative Chantilly, this was a quick enough turnaround with all that action in the background but the signs cantering down were all positive.

That perfect rhythm she displayed on the way to the start was also there in the race, where she accepted restraint with total compliance as the match made in heaven with her rider deepens further each time they join together. Always well within her comfort zone, she was asked to close as the front-running Dreamloper (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) failed to get away approaching two out and was able to make up the deficit with ease. Picking up the unexposed fellow 3-year-old Fonteyn (GB) (Farhh {GB}) and Aristia soon after, the bay strode to the line typically powerfully to give the impression she was in a class of her own despite the final margins.

Hollie Doyle provided her lowdown after. “She gave me some feel. A change of tactics today from France, but it paid off,” she said. “Nashwa is A1, you can't fault her. I rode her aggressively in France because we had a good draw and I wanted to hold my position. Today, in between her work from her previous run, she now knows what she is doing so I didn't want to light her up and ride her from a pace angle. I came down the hill with a double handful. She travels very well, but she takes a while to hit top gear.”

“This is her perfect trip,” Doyle added. “She has a high cruising speed and sees it out very well. She is push-button and you can ride her anywhere, which is really nice. Nashwa is a horse of a lifetime and if it wasn't for Imad Al Sagar giving me this opportunity, I might not have enjoyed days like this. Every group one means a lot, so you've got to enjoy it while it lasts because you get home tonight and you'll be back into work mode for the next day. You have limited time to enjoy these moments.”

Al Sagar added, “The important part of it is I own the family. She was not disgraced in the Oaks, but ran out of stamina–we didn't know beforehand about the trip and found out. It was a beautiful performance in the French Oaks and to do that with only 16 days between two Classics, she must be very special. Our target will be the Prix de l'Opera on Arc day and then the Breeders' Cup [Filly & Mare Turf]. She has had a very busy season and we definitely would not want to overdo it. She will be kept in training at four and I think she will be better then–the whole family thrive with age.”

John Gosden said, “We have relaxed in last and what they've done is suddenly pull the pace up. If you look at the fractions, they did two 14-second furlongs in the middle, which is as slow as you can go. Coming from last made it tough on her, as they are quickening down the hill but Nashwa has got the class and when the ground levelled off she was happier. She is versatile to do that from off the pace. I think next time we might have to put a pacemaker in.”

Aristia was running the race of her life and trainer Richard Hannon said of the runner-up, “Aristia is always a filly that runs massively above what you were expecting. For some reason she did not come in her coat until well after Ascot. We have got her back right and she looks a million. She ran a super race and we have got the rest of the season to look forward to. Everything is an option now. She is a filly with an awful lot of scope. There are some lovely races coming up and I would love to hope that she will stay in training for next year.”

Maureen Haggas said of Lilac Road, “I thought she ran great. She did not get the smoothest run through, which often happens at Goodwood. In the last 50 yards she flew–I am thrilled with her. Looking at that, I think we could step her up to 12 furlongs happily and she is getting better as she has never been easy. We went down first and she wasn't too bad today. She is settling in her races and has galloped right to the line. I don't know what plans there might be. She is well worth keeping at this standard, and William will find something and talk to Jon and Julia [Aisbitt] and work out a plan.”

Nashwa's dam Princess Loulou (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) took time to fulfil her potential, finishing second in the G1 Prix Jean Romanet as a 4-year-old before closing out her career with success in the Listed Gillies Fillies' S. She is a granddaughter of the Listed Princess Elizabeth S. runner-up Sweeping (GB) (Indian King), who produced the dual listed-winning sprinter Watching (GB) (Indian Ridge {Ire}) who was also runner-up in the G2 Prix du Gros-Chene. Sweeping is also the second dam of the listed scorer Nufoos (GB) (Zafonic), who in turn produced three black-type winners in the G1 Middle Park S. and G2 Mill Reef S. hero Awzaan (GB) (Alhaarth {Ire}), the G3 Sweet Solera S. winner Muraaqaba (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and the Listed Sandringham H. winner and dual group 3-placed Muteela (GB) (Dansili {GB}). Also related to the G2 Keio Hai Nisai S. winner Ball Lightning (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}) and the GIII Will Rogers S. scorer Media Mogul (GB) (First Trump {GB}), Princess Loulou's filly by Decorated Knight (Ire) is entered in the upcoming Arqana Deauville August Yearling Sale (lot 93). She also has a colt foal by Dubawi (Ire) and is carrying a full-sister to Nashwa at present.

Thursday, Goodwood, Britain
QATAR NASSAU S.-G1, £600,000, Goodwood, 7-28, 3yo/up, f/m, 9f 197yT, 2:05.77, g/f.
1–NASHWA (GB), 126, f, 3, by Frankel (GB)
     1st Dam: Princess Loulou (Ire) (SW-Eng, G1SP-Fr, GSP-Ire, $175,317), by Pivotal (GB)
     2nd Dam: Aiming (GB), by Highest Honor (Fr)
     3rd Dam: Sweeping (GB), by Indian King
O-Imad Al Sagar; B-Blue Diamond Stud Farm (UK) Ltd (GB); T-John & Thady Gosden; J-Hollie Doyle. £340,260. Lifetime Record: G1SW-Fr, 6-4-0-2, $1,144,433. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Aristia (Ire), 135, f, 4, Starspangledbanner (Aus)–Aloisi (GB), by Kalanisi (Ire).
1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. (85,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT). O-Mrs E Roberts; B-Rathasker Stud (IRE); T-Richard Hannon. £129,000.
3–Lilac Road (Ire), 135, f, 4, Mastercraftsman (Ire)–Lavender Lane (Ire), by Shamardal.
1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. O/B-Jon and Julia Aisbitt (IRE); T-William Haggas. £64,560.
Margins: 1 3/4, HF, 1 1/4. Odds: 1.20, 40.00, 7.50.
Also Ran: Fonteyn (GB), Dreamloper (Ire), One For Bobby (Ire), Rogue Millennium (Ire), Concert Hall (Ire). Scratched: Ville De Grace (GB). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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Baaeed Casts A Long Shadow In The Sussex

Twelve months on from the confirmation of his potency in the G3 Thoroughbred S. at the Qatar Goodwood Festival, Shadwell's Baaeed (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) returns to the famous Downs as a relative giant as he pursues ever higher ground in Wednesday's G1 Qatar Sussex S. at Goodwood. While his tally of four straight Group 1 wins–in the Prix du Moulin, the QEII, the Lockinge and Queen Anne–is highly commendable, it is still shy of the five achieved by the likes of Dubai Millennium (GB), Enable (GB), Giant's Causeway and St Mark's Basilica (Fr). By the end of the year, it is not inconceivable that he could be matching the seven of this race's 2002 hero Rock of Gibraltar (Ire), even if the nine of Frankel (GB) looks out of reach.

Comparisons with Frankel were being bandied about prior to the June 14 Queen Anne, but his performance there failed to satisfy that on a visual basis. Time-wise, it was the meeting's key moment, however, with startling final sectionals placing him in a league of his own. Running the final two furlongs faster than the King's Stand winner Nature Strip (Aus) (Nicconi {Aus}), he was quicker even than Battaash (Ire) had been over the same last quarter mile in the King's Stand in 2020. This is a fast animal and William Haggas's quip that he could win a July Cup was actually close to the mark.

Angus Gold is not being complacent, however. “As far as I know everything is good, he worked very nicely last week and I think they've been happy since, so you can but hope. There's some very good horses in the race and as we saw in the King George on Saturday, you can never take anything for granted,” he said. “It's possibly not his ideal track, but you could say that about a lot of them so I don't see that as a reason for him not to win if he's in good form and gets a good run through the race.”

Connections already have their sights trained on the G1 Juddmonte International at York Aug. 17. “He's done all his winning at a mile and he's shown he's got the speed and the class to win Group 1s at a mile,” Gold added. “For me, it's going to be more interesting to see whether he can be versatile and carry that speed over a mile and a quarter. I know William felt it was too big a gap between Ascot and York and as he rightly said, they're here to race these horses so that's why he's going to Goodwood.”

 

A Free Hit

Tuesday's G2 Lennox S. win of Sandrine (GB) (Bobby's Kitten) proved that the Andrew Balding stable is in hot form and Baaeed's biggest concern could come from Alcohol Free (Ire) (No Nay Never), who has nothing to lose tackling the favourite bidding for back-to-back renewals at a track that plays to her strengths. Very few horses can win this and a July Cup, but that is what she did at Newmarket July 9 where she put upwards of 1 1/2 lengths between her and the Platinum Jubilee crew led by Naval Crown (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). “It took her a couple of runs to find her feet this year, but she's in great form and she looks very well,” Balding said. “She won the race last year and while this looks a very strong renewal, it wasn't a bad one when she beat Poetic Flare. At Goodwood it's not always enough to be the best horse, as you need luck too. We wouldn't want to win that way, but it's a horse race at the end of the day.”

 

Game Changer

While the loss of Coroebus (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) from this picture is a blow to Godolphin, it is worth remembering that Charlie Appleby houses the three winners of the English, Irish and French 2000 Guineas and he still has one of them engaged in Modern Games (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). While the form of his success in the May 15 G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains at ParisLongchamp has yet to be seriously boosted, it is early days and this return to a mile on a fast course should see him in a positive light. “He can do it every which way and can adapt, plus the draw in one is a positive,” jockey William Buick said on Tuesday. “Everyone has to respect Baaeed and rightly so, as he's a fantastic horse and is obviously going to be very hard to beat.”

Appleby added, “The step back up in trip is going to suit him and the quick ground will also be in his favour. He loves it rattling fast. He's a very classy colt, he's a multiple Group 1 winner and a sharp track such as Goodwood will pose no problem when you recall how he handled Del Mar. He will give a good account of himself.”

 

Rocket Powered?

Goodwood's action on Wednesday also includes a pair of Group 3 contests, with the 2-year-olds lining up for the five-furlong Markel Molecomb S. and the fillies and mares set for the seven-furlong Whispering Angel Oak Tree S. Victorious Racing's June 15 Listed Windsor Castle S. runner-up and July 1 Listed Dragon S. winner Rocket Rodney (GB) (Dandy Man {Ire}) is back over the course and distance over which he opened his account in style Apr. 29 and ticks all the boxes, but the lurker could be Rockcliffe Stud's impressive July 15 Newbury maiden scorer Trillium (GB) (No Nay Never). “She's a very good filly who stepped up from her first run to her second when bolting up at Newbury in fine style,” Trillium's trainer Richard Hannon said on his Unibet blog. “That was over six furlongs, but she's got a fantastic turn of foot so I'm not worried about going down to five furlongs and she receives a bit of weight as well for being a filly.” Al Shaqab Racing have a habit of plundering the Oak Tree, with three wins between 2015 and 2017 with French raiders and are here again with the Francis-Henri Graffard-trained June 12 Listed Prix Volterra winner Samahram (Fr) (Sea The Moon {Ger}).

 

Nashwa Faces Eight In Nassau

Thursday's G1 Qatar Nassau S. has attracted nine, with Hollie Doyle keen to renew her partnership with Imad Al Sagar's G1 Prix de Diane heroine Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}). This is one of the weaker renewals on paper in recent times, with the May 29 G1 Prix d'Ispahan winner Dreamloper (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and the May 12 G2  Middleton Fillies' S. scorer Lilac Road (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) key among the older brigade. “Nashwa is just unreal and she's getting better and better,” her rider told QIPCO British Champions Series. “Every time I sit on her between races she's improved again. I rode a piece of work on her last week which was very similar to the work we did before France and she's bigger and stronger once again, and better than ever.”

 

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Green Light Expected For Trueshan Cup Bid

He may have been missing from Royal Ascot, but Trueshan (Fr) (Planteur {Ire}) has since reminded everybody that he belongs at the very top of the staying division and he looks set to meet Kyprios (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in his defence of the G1 Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup on Tuesday. Re-routed to Newcastle to defy a big weight in the historic Northumberland Plate June 25, last year's winner has good ground and that is slow enough for connections to take the plunge. While trainer Alan King has to walk the course, part-owner Andrew Gemmell suggested that the 6-year-old who also captured the G1 Prix du Cadran and two editions of the G2 QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup is good to go for a huge heavyweight tussle. “It would be nice to run and defend his title and all being well and the weather being okay, I'm sure we will,” he said. “The intention is definitely to go, it's not like Ascot when we kind of knew that it wasn't really going to happen, so I think there is every possibility he will run.”

 

Over To Atzeni

Much has been made of the replacement by Andrea Atzeni of Frankie Dettori on Stradivarius and it is certain that the veteran will be playing a more prominent role than of late as he looks for a fifth renewal. While his draw in seven may mean that he is hemmed in again on the inside due to the quick left turn the field faces from the two-mile start, it will soon open up as they move to the right and then it will be all to play for. Whatever tactical ploy Atzeni has in his mind, Bjorn Nielsen's evergreen performer will have more exposure than usual and the answer to the question as to how much ability he retains should be provided in a race of truth. “It's a great opportunity for me and he owes us nothing, so hopefully we'll see the Stradivarius we've seen in the past,” commented Atzeni, who partnered the chestnut on his first two Goodwood Cup victories back in 2017 and 2018.

 

A Point To Prove With Kyprios

   Whatever befell Stradivarius in the June 16 G1 Gold Cup, Kyprios seemed a worthy winner with his power-packed finish and he should be even more effective back at two miles with his closing effort at Ascot the fastest in recent history. This is a speedy stayer with the right temperament to rack up a sequence in these Cup races, much as one of his chief rival's has and Aidan O'Brien believes he is still on the up. “He is still learning and is a relaxed horse who takes everything in his stride, so we think there is more improvement to come,” he said. “He is straightforward to ride and uncomplicated. I think he is well-balanced and doesn't over-race. Goodwood is an unusual track, but he seems to be okay going left or right-handed.” Ryan Moore added on his Betfair blog, “Ignore all the talk about Stradivarius, I think my colt beat him fair and square at Royal Ascot and maybe a shade comfortably too in the final analysis. It may well be that the older horse is better than he was able to show that day, but Kyprios was very professional and determined there, showing a great attitude.”

 

Vintage Action

Tuesday's action at Goodwood also features the G2 Japan Racing Association Vintage S., with no standout among the nine engaged. One of the more interesting contenders is Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum's July 9 Salisbury novice scorer Marbaan (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), a relative of Ribchester (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) who looks to give Charlie Fellowes something to dream about. Charlie and Mark Johnston have targeted this meeting as keenly as ever and supply two unbeaten colts in

Dear My Friend (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) and Dornoch Castle (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}). Charlie is looking for a fifth renewal for the stable since 1993 and he said, “I would struggle to split them, to be fair. Dornoch Castle's form is probably a touch stronger as there are a lot of horses that have come out of his races and won subsequently, but the other horse did well to win over six furlongs because it was far too sharp for him at Carlisle.”

 

Time For Another Pogo?

One of 2022's revelations, the May 28 G3 John Of Gaunt S. and June 25 G3 Criterion S. winner Pogo (Ire) (Zebedee {GB}), encounters a higher-class of rival in Tuesday's G2 World Pool Lennox S. but Gary and Linnet Woodward's 6-year-old seems in unstoppable form at present. “He obviously hasn't won at this level before, but he did win a Group 3 with a penalty last time and he won that one more easily than he did without it the time before,” trainer Charlie Hills said. Cheveley Park Stud's G2 Hungerford S. winner Sacred (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) looms large back at her favoured seven furlongs having run a stormer when a length fifth in the G1 Platinum Jubilee S. over six at Royal Ascot June 18.

 

Baaeed Meets Six In The Sussex

Following Wednesday's disappointing bulletin on Coroebus (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Shadwell's Baaeed (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) cuts a domineering figure in Wednesday's G1 Qatar Sussex S. at Goodwood. Charlie Appleby still has the May 15 G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains hero Modern Games (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) among the seven confirmed on Monday, with the defending champion and G1 July Cup heroine Alcohol Free (Ire) (No Nay Never) and Ballydoyle's G2 Minstrel S. scorer Order Of Australia (Ire) (Australia {GB}) other key protagonists. The latter was fifth last year, but Aidan O'Brien said, “He won nicely the last day at The Curragh and is in good form. He won the same race last year before the Sussex, but then at Goodwood it was a bit soft for him. It will be better ground this year hopefully and that will suit him.”

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