Qatar Goodwood Festival | Horse Racing Free Tips

Mogul Swoops For Gordon Triumph

Off the board in three starts since claiming last term’s G2 Champions Juvenile S. at Leopardstown, Coolmore’s Mogul (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) was one of the main closers when sixth in last month’s G1 Epsom Derby and stepped back up to the plate to gain compensation in Thursday’s G3 John Pearce Racing Gordon S. at Goodwood. Steadied off the clear leader in fourth after an alert getaway, the 9-2 chance was coaxed forward once leaving the three-furlong marker behind and swooped late under a power drive to provide a third success for Aidan O’Brien in this renowned stepping stone to elite-level glory. The April-foaled bay’s late surge carried him 3/4-of-a-length beyond Highland Chief (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) with the same margin back to the game pacesetter Subjectivity (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) in third. “These horses are in good form, he was tough there and Aidan always said he’d be just right for his third run,” said winning rider Ryan Moore, whose win left Frankie Dettori behind on four as he moved to within one of Sir Gordon Richards and Willie Carson’s joint-record haul of six in the contest. “We’ve always thought a lot of him and I’m very happy with what he’s done today. He’s still a bit babyish and can only progress further,” the rider added.

“We always thought that Mogul was going to take two runs and we were hoping to get that into him before the Derby, but obviously the Derby was only his second run and this was his third today,” explained Aidan O’Brien, who saddled Yellowstone (Ire) (Rock of Gibraltar {Ire}) to win this in 2007 and Highland Reel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in 2015. “We said this race would suit him, we’re delighted with him and think there is more to come. We were thinking of going to the [Sept. 13 G1] Grand Prix de Paris [at ParisLongchamp] with him next, maybe, and that was the plan if everything went well today. We always thought he was a lovely horse and a horse that was going to suit the Derby, but we thought it would take a couple of runs to get him there. When you look at him he’s built like a miler. He’s a big, strong, powerful horse and carries a lot of muscle and weight so he was always going to take racing to get him tuned up. We weren’t really sure about this horse at a mile-and-a-half, but he toughed it out and it looks like he got it today.”

Fitri Hay’s homebred Golden Gates H. winner Highland Chief (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) was a never-threatening 10th in the G1 Epsom Derby and bounced back from that disappointment with a career-best effort here. “We are very, very pleased with the horse,” said trainer Oliver Cole. “I would have to see the race again, but [rider] David Probert thought Mogul came up and he went again. Ryan has obviously ridden a peach and we are very happy to know that we have a very good horse. The advantage we had today was that there weren’t many runners so there wasn’t much hustle and bustle. He could relax and enjoy it without being cramped, which played to his advantage. Maybe the [G2 Great] Voltigeur [at York] next, although it might come a little bit quick.” Bjorn Nielsen’s G1 Epsom Derby fifth English King (Fr) (Camelot {GB}) went off for this retrieval mission as the 5-4 favourite, but was the first to come under pressure in the straight before staying on without troubling the leaders to finish fourth. “He came off the bridle too early and he was staying on at the end,” said Frankie Dettori. “We are toying with the idea of the [G1] St Leger [at Doncaster].”

Mogul, who was the second-highest priced transaction at Tattersalls’ 2018 October Book 1 yearling sale when knocked down to M V Magnier for 3.4-million guineas, is one of six winners out of Listed Pontefract Castle S. second Shastye (Ire) (Danehill), herself half to G1SW sires Sagamix (Fr) (Linamix {Fr}) and Sagacity (Fr) (Highest Honor {Fr}). He is thus a full-brother to G1 Grand Prix de Paris and G1 Juddmonte International hero Japan (GB), GSW G1 Epsom Oaks and G1 German Oaks runner-up Secret Gesture (GB), G3 International S. victor Sir Isaac Newton (GB) and a yearling filly. From a family also featuring G1 Prix d’Ispahan-winning sire Sageburg (Ire) (Johannesburg), Mogul is also a half to MGSP Listed Ipswich Cup winner Maurus (GB) (Medicean {GB}) and to the unraced dam of Listed Height of Fashion S. runner-up Shaherezada (Ire) (Dutch Art {GB}).

Thursday, Goodwood, Britain
JOHN PEARCE RACING GORDON S.-G3, £75,000, Goodwood, 7-30, 3yo, 11f 218yT, 2:34.89, gd.
1–MOGUL (GB), 127, c, 3, by Galileo (Ire)
1st Dam: Shastye (Ire) (SP-Eng), by Danehill
2nd Dam: Saganeca, by Sagace (Fr)
3rd Dam: Haglette, by Hagley
(3,400,000gns Ylg ’18 TATOCT). O-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Susan Magnier; B-Newsells Park Stud (GB); T-Aidan O’Brien; J-Ryan Moore. £42,533. Lifetime Record: GSW-Ire, 7-3-1-0, $198,290. *Full to Japan (GB), Hwt. 3yo-Eng at 9 1/2-11f, Hwt. 3yo-Ire at 11-14f, Hwt. 3yo-Ire at 9 1/2-11f, Hwt. 3yo-Eng at 11-14f, Hwt. 3yo-Eur at 9 1/2-11f, G1SW-Fr, G1SW-Eng, GSW-Ire, $2,021,465; Full to Secret Gesture (GB), GSW & MG1SP-Eng, G1SP-Fr, G1SP-Ger, GISP-US, $746,427; Full to Sir Isaac Newton (GB), GSW-Ire, SW-Eng, GSP-Aus, $405,120; 1/2 to Maurus (GB) (Medicean {GB}), SW & MGSP-Aus, $472,335. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Highland Chief (Ire), 127, c, 3, Gleneagles (Ire)–Pink Symphony (GB), by Montjeu (Ire). O/B-Fitri Hay (IRE); T-Paul Cole. £16,125.
3–Subjectivist (GB), 127, c, 3, Teofilo (Ire)–Reckoning (Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire). (62,000gns Ylg ’18 TAOCT). O-Dr J. Walker; B-Mascalls Stud (GB); T-Mark Johnston. £8,070.
Margins: 3/4, 3/4, 1 3/4. Odds: 4.50, 22.00, 8.50.
Also Ran: English King (Fr), Khalifa Sat (Ire), Al Aasy (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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Nassau Anchors Goodwood Festival on Thursday

It is the turn of the fillies and mares on Thursday, with the G1 Qatar Nassau S. headlining a fascinating third day of the Qatar Goodwood Festival. It features a clash between two fillies whose limits are far from set at present, with Shadwell’s Nazeef (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) taking on the year-younger Fancy Blue (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). The former steps up from a mile for the first time, having captured the G2 Duke of Cambridge S. at Royal Ascot June 16 and G1 Falmouth S. at Newmarket July 10 in the manner of a filly that will improve for a step up to this 10-furlong trip. Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum’s racing manager Angus Gold said, “She’s been an absolute star this year–it’s lovely to see her not only fulfil the potential, but exceed what we hoped. We were hoping to make her a stakes winner and it’s been a real thrill. Stepping up in trip now will be interesting, but everyone who has ridden her has always felt she would get it. Obviously you never know for sure until they try, but I’m very hopeful she will stay it–the way she has always finished off her races.”

Fancy Blue was runner-up to Peaceful (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas at The Curragh June 13 prior to outbattling Alpine Star (Ire) (Sea the Moon {Ger}) and that rival in Chantilly’s G1 Prix de Diane over 10 1/2 furlongs July 5. While there were four fillies involved in a blanket finish to that Classic, it looked every bit a top-class renewal and trainer Donnacha O’Brien is in accord. “In a tight finish between four horses you can usually mark it down a bit, but they were definitely the right horses involved that day and they pulled clear of the rest of the field, so it looks like very strong form,” he said. “Fancy Blue is very genuine, tries hard and takes her work well,” he added. “She’s a very uncomplicated and talented filly who relaxes and is able to quicken. She gets a mile and a quarter very well and is closely related to High Chaparral, so there’s plenty of stamina in her pedigree and she will probably get a mile and a half in time. There are a great bunch of fillies around at the moment,” Donnacha added. “Among the 3-year-olds you have Love, who looks special, and then of course you’ve got Enable and Magical and a few of the those turning up at Goodwood this week, including ours.”

Last year’s winner Deirdre (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) comes back with identical race conditions to suit, but possibly faces tougher opposition and has to reverse the form of the G1 Eclipse S. with the similarly-accomplished international mare Magic Wand (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), having finished 1 1/4 lengths behind that Ballydoyle rival when fifth in the July 5 Sandown feature. Oisin Murphy is again on board and commented, “I think she has improved since her last race and August is always her favourite season. We tried the Eclipse, because Sandown has a long straight and with the COVID situation it has been a little bit tricky to train the horses. We found there that she might struggle with the uphill, now we are heading to the Nassau S. with the long straight and flat course. We understand the great importance of the race, we have seen Midday win three times and we are the only horse to have a chance to win twice in a row.”

Aidan O’Brien has booked Frankie Dettori for Magic Wand, who was electric when taking the Curragh’s G2 Lanwades Stud S., or Ridgewood Pearl, over a mile June 13. “She’s a lovely filly who takes everything in her stride and this looks a nice race for her in the middle of the summer,” the Ballydoyle handler said. “She’s very straightforward and we’re very happy with her.”

Earlier on the card, the G2 Qatar Richmond S. and G2 John Pearce Racing Gordon S. provide ideal build-up to the main event with the Gordon seeing the first post-Derby run of Bjorn Nielsen’s English King (GB) (Camelot {GB}). A lot went against the Ed Walker trainee when fifth in Epsom’s July 4 blue riband, but his ability to handle difficult terrain is well and truly proven having won the June 5 Listed Lingfield Derby Trial and he has quickening ground conditions to aid his cause further. “He’s in great form. The ground should suit, he should handle the track and he hasn’t missed a beat since Epsom,” Walker said. “We will see how it goes at Goodwood, but we would be hoping to go for something like the [G1] Grand Prix de Paris. It is shaping into a great race, but everything seems to be this year because it has all been condensed. Hopefully he can prove to us he deserves to take on the best, but we will certainly learn a bit more this week.”

Re-opposing English King is Ahmad Al Shaikh’s Khalifa Sat (Ire) (Free Eagle {Ire}), who was closest to Epsom’s runaway winner Serpentine (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) when 5 1/2 lengths adrift and he has course form having won the Listed Cocked Hat S. over 11 furlongs June 14. “The course and the drying ground should suit him and all being well, a reproduction of his Epsom form should give him every chance,” trainer Andrew Balding said. Also coming back from the Derby is ‘TDN Rising Star’ Mogul (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who was sixth behind his ebullient stablemate with Ryan Moore picking him. Aidan O’Brien said, “He seems to have come out of the Derby well and we’ve been very happy with him since. He’s a big, strong, powerful horse who is made like a miler and he’s not the easiest to get fit. He carries weight and we’re just trying to get it off him. We think racing is going to bring out the best in him. We think he gets a mile and a half, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we have to go back in trip.”

In the Richmond, Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum’s Yazaman (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) is for once without The Queen’s Tactical (GB) (Toronado {Ire}) for company and looks for compensation for two runner-up efforts behind that peer in the five-furlong Listed Windsor Castle S. June 17 and G2 July S. over this six-furlong trip at Newmarket July 9. Fourth in the July was Shadwell’s ‘TDN Rising Star’ Qaader (Ire) (Night of Thunder {Ire}), who had previously finished runner-up in Royal Ascot’s G2 Coventry S. June 20 when another TDN Rising Star Admiral Nelson (GB) (Kingman {GB}) was only eighth as the 5-2 favourite.

Click here for the group fields.

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A Sussex to Savour on Wednesday

With the delayed 2020 turf season now enjoying some kind of equilibrium, the pick of the season’s milers line up for one of the first category-defining moments in Wednesday’s G1 Qatar Sussex S. Of the older brigade, last year’s G1 St James’s Palace S. and G1 Prix du Moulin hero Circus Maximus (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is an outsider if the betting is to believed at present despite returning to add the June 16 G1 Queen Anne S. to his tally. Out of luck in the Queen Anne but highly impressive in Ascot’s G2 Summer Mile July 11, Shadwell’s Mohaather (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) has put himself front and centre, while the 3-year-olds include the 2000 Guineas heroes Siskin (First Defence) and Kameko (Kitten’s Joy) and the promising Vatican City (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). This is a far cry from some of the weaker editions of recent times and puts the Goodwood feature back on centre stage where it belongs.

With no pacemaker in the field, it is likely that one of Ballydoyle’s Circus Maximus and Wichita (Ire) (No Nay Never) and possibly both will go forward from the outset. The former is used to forcing a battle, having denied Terebellum (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) in a thriller at the Royal meeting last time, and his best chance will be to try and engage some way out and draw the sting from the likes of Siskin and Mohaather. Kameko, who stayed on past Wichita to take the G1 2000 Guineas at Newmarket June 6, is another who will probably not be ridden for pace in what is a fascinating tactical conundrum.

Kameko’s trainer Andrew Balding has no fears about any lasting effects of his effort when fourth in the July 4 G1 Epsom Derby and has spoken about the constitution of Qatar Racing’s flagbearer on several occasions. Being that this provides an automatic entry into the GI TVG Breeders’ Cup Mile, connections are keen to place a flag in that particular territory. “He won a Guineas over a mile, so it was always the intention to come back down in trip after the Derby,” he said. “I’m looking forward to it and I couldn’t be happier with him. It’s a very strong field, as it should be for one of the championship races of the summer.”

Oisin Murphy has the responsibility of weighing up tactics, but there are very few among his profession better-placed than him to do so. “I’m drawn in stall two next to Siskin, with Mohaather near in four as well. Circus Maximus normally goes forward and Aidan O’Brien could have the first three ‘in the run’ with Wichita normally forwardly-placed and Vatican City a strong stayer at the trip,” he summarised in his pre-race analysis. “This time of year is a good time to take on the older horses, given the weight allowance, and we’ll see what happens.”

Mohaather proved when beating San Donato (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) by 3 3/4 lengths in the Summer Mile that he stays a mile well and has retained all the class that trainer Marcus Tregoning hoped he would despite setbacks along the way. He is awaiting the contest with relish. “It’s not a biggish field and hopefully he’ll run very well,” he said. “In all honesty, it was quite an easy race for him [at Ascot], as it turned out. He cantered the next day and we’ve been happy with him since. It’s a tough order, but I don’t think we could have Mohaather any better and he deserves a crack at it. I don’t see why he won’t handle the track, because he’s a neat horse who travels well and has plenty of speed. Hopefully he’s going to run a big race.”

Khalid Abdullah’s Siskin answered his own doubters when taking the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas at The Curragh June 12 and he had 1 3/4 lengths to spare over Vatican City on that occasion. As the only unbeaten runner in the race, another first to his name will see him enter cherished company and trainer Ger Lyons can only wait and watch now. “On ratings we have to improve, it’s as simple as that–we think he has, but we won’t know until he runs,” he said. “He has to improve to even get close to some of these horses. He is working well at home, but he does need to improve. I think he’ll cope with the track, because he’s pretty straightforward. He’s a very professional horse and if he gets beat it’s because he’s not good enough.”

Aidan O’Brien’s trio are outside the first three in the market, positions not normally customary for representatives of Ballydoyle, and all are there on merit. Of Vatican City, he said, “The Irish Guineas was a funnily-run race–it just became a bit of a mess. It was a little bit of a non-event for Vatican City, who was also having his first run of the year after two very soft runs last year. He’s been to Epsom since and ran respectably, even though he didn’t stay. We think going back to a mile will suit him much better.”

“Circus Maximus will only ever just win–Ryan will tell you, that’s the way he is,” he added. “He’s a very solid miler and a very tough but lazy horse. At home he’d do the same thing, no matter what you work with him, so we don’t really know what his limit is. Wichita is really maturing and he’s a massive horse, so with every month that goes by he’s progressing. Hopefully they’ll all run well. Everyone wants to see the best horses in the race, as it means a lot more to a horse if they win it. It’s exciting that they’re all there and we’re really looking forward to it.”

Even San Donato cannot be discounted, as he was running for the first time since finishing third in the 2019 G1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains last May when chasing home Mohaather at Ascot. “It’s been jolly frustrating that he’s only run twice in the last 20 months, but they’ve been two very good runs,” trainer Roger Varian said. “The winner won well at Ascot that day, but I was delighted with my guy–I thought it was a very good run against some solid group two opposition and I do anticipate him coming forward from that run.”

Goodwood’s only other black-type event is the G3 Markel Insurance Molecomb S., in which Michael O’Callaghan pitches the impressive July 22 Naas maiden scorer Steel Bull (Ire) (Clodovil {Ire}). He encounters Amo Racing Limited’s June 20 G2 Queen Mary S. fourth and July 9 Listed Marygate Fillies’ S. scorer Sardinia Sunset (Ire) (Gutaifan {Ire}) and several other fast and precocious types as he travels across the Irish sea. “He came out of Naas well and it was just like a piece of work for him really–it was no more than a half-speed and he quickened up very well,” O’Callaghan commented. “We’ve always thought a lot of him at home, so it was no surprise to see him win the way he did. I think he could be very, very good. He’s a very fast horse and he should he take a bit of beating, I hope.”

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Dubawi’s Space Blues Powers To Lennox Success

Retaining all his old pizzazz, ‘TDN Rising Star’ Space Blues (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) backed up victories in last month’s Listed Spring Trophy and G3 Prix de la Porte Maillot with an impressive win in Tuesday’s G2 Qatar Lennox S. over seven furlongs at Goodwood. Adopting his usual patient role off the tempo in ninth through halfway, the 2-1 favourite made eyecatching headway out wide in the straight and was not for catching once quickening smartly for control approaching the final eighth to easily outpoint Duke of Hazzard (Fr) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) by two lengths. Escobar (Ire) (Famous Name {GB}) ran on to finish a half-length further back in third.

“He ran very well when he was third over 6 1/2 furlongs in the Maurice de Gheest last year, he’s a horse who’s still improving and he’s very professional and easy to deal with,” said in-form rider William Buick of last year’s G1 Prix Jean Prat and G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest placegetter. “It’s beautiful ground out there and they’re making a print, which suits him, and I thought that was a really good performance today. Six furlongs at Meydan in the Spring didn’t work out for him, but that was not the horse’s fault, and seven is his optimum trip. Charlie [Appleby] will keep all options open for him.”

Appleby, who had teamed up with Buick to garner Sunday’s G1 Grosser Dallmayr-Preis in Munich, added, “He got a nice, clean run round and there was plenty of pace on. William [Buick] was keen to make sure he kept it simple with him and that’s what he did. I was always confident he was going to pick up, it was a good performance and I’m delighted.” Looking ahead to another tilt at the Deauville festival, the trainer continued, “On the back of that, it’ll be nice to see how fresh we can get him, as quick as possible, as I feel the Maurice de Gheest is a nice race for him. He ran well in it last year and he’s a stronger horse this year. He’s a great traveller in his races and he has got that gear change. It’d be nice to give him another crack at a Group 1, but it does come soon enough. He’s a seven-furlong specialist, it’s proven on paper statistically throughout his career, and there’s obviously the [G1 Prix de la] Foret [at ParisLongchamp on Arc weekend] to consider too.”

Space Blues, one of four winners produced by G2 Challenge S. victress Miss Lucifer (Fr) (Noverre), is a half-brother to MGSW G2 Al Maktoum Challenge and G3 UAE Oaks winner Shuruq (Elusive Quality), herself the dam of stakes-winning GII Fair Grounds Oaks and GIII Wonder Again S. placegetter Antoinette (Hard Spun). The homebred chestnut is also kin to the unraced 2-year-old filly Beautiful Future (Ire) (Night of Thunder {Ire}) and a 2020 Dark Angel (Ire) filly. Miss Lucifer is out of a winning half to G2 King Edward VII S.-winning sire Amfortas (Ire) (Caerleon) and fellow sires Chevalier (Ire) (Danehill) and Chief Lone Eagle (Giant’s Causeway). She is also kin to G3 Prix de Royaumont victress Legend Maker (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells), herself the dam of G1 1000 Guineas heroine Virginia Waters (Kingmambo), and to the dam of G1 Matron S. victress Chachamaidee (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}).

Tuesday, Goodwood, Britain
QATAR LENNOX S.-G2, £100,000, Goodwood, 7-28, 3yo/up, 7fT, 1:27.48, gd.
1–SPACE BLUES (IRE), 129, c, 4, by Dubawi (Ire)
1st Dam: Miss Lucifer (Fr) (GSW-Eng, $193,403), by Noverre
2nd Dam: Devil’s Imp (Ire), by Cadeaux Genereux (GB)
3rd Dam: High Spirited (Ire), by Shirley Heights (GB)
O/B-Godolphin (IRE); T-Charlie Appleby; J-William Buick. £56,710. Lifetime Record: GSW & MG1SP-Fr, 12-6-3-1, $357,820. *1/2 to Shuruq (Elusive Quality), Hwt. Older Mare-UAE at 7-9 1/2f, MGSW-UAE, GSW-Tur, GSP-Eng, $658,709. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Duke of Hazzard (Fr), 129, c, 4, Lope de Vega (Ire)–With Your Spirit (Fr), by Invincible Spirit (Ire). (€130,000 Ylg ’17 ARAUG). O-Fitri Hay; B-Runnymede Farm Inc. & CW. Clay (FR); T-Paul Cole. £21,500.
3–Escobar (Ire), 129, g, 6, Famous Name (GB)–Saying Grace (Ire), by Brief Truce. (€105,000 Wlg ’14 GOFNOV; €280,000 Ylg ’15 GOFORB; 100,000gns HRA ’17 TATAHI). O-Withernsea Thoroughbred Limited; B-Peter Evans (IRE); T-David O’Meara. £10,760.
Margins: 2, HF, HF. Odds: 2.00, 5.00, 40.00.
Also Ran: Safe Voyage (Ire), Sir Dancealot (Ire), D’Bai (Ire), Marie’s Diamond (Ire), Graignes (Fr), Glorious Journey (GB), Pierre Lapin (Ire), History Writer (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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