Beckett and Marquand Take Top Honours

Ralph Beckett was crowned leading trainer at the Qatar Goodwood Festival for the first time, with Tom Marquand collecting a first leading jockey award at the meeting. 

Beckett and John Quinn both ended the meeting on three winners, with the Kimpton Down handler taking the spoils by virtue of more seconds. 

Kinross starred for Beckett as he won the G2 World Pool Lennox Stakes for a second time, while Royal runner Serried Ranks and Balance Play completed a quickfire double for the yard in the closing handicaps on Friday.

Beckett said: “I am amazed, what a lovely surprise! It has been a very satisfying week. I have really enjoyed it and am delighted with how the horses have been running. There were too many seconds, but that is the nature of it!

"Kinross's win in the Lennox Stakes is the obvious highlight, but also the double yesterday was pretty special.

"Classical Song's second on debut in the fillies’ maiden was a pleasing run, and Balance Play's win in the handicap yesterday was a long-held plan.

"I am so sorry the meeting has ended early, it is a great shame for everyone with runners, but I have had a great week and I am looking forward to picking up the award.”

Marquand signed off with four winners, all in Group races, headlined by two excellent front-running rides on Quickthorn in the G1 Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup and Sumo Sam in the G2 Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes.

William Haggas’ first jockey also scored on Royal runner Desert Hero in the G3 John Pearce Racing Gordon Stakes and Hamish in the G3 l'Ormarins King's Plate Glorious Stakes.

Marquand said: “It has been a good week. Coming to big meetings, you walk away with one winner and when you start that’s obviously a big deal. But the further you go through your career, you want to put your name on the placard. 

“I grew up at Hannon’s as an apprentice and Goodwood was a big, big deal. You only have to look at the table on the wall to see how many times Richard Hannon senior won leading trainer, and obviously Richard junior after. It’s always been something you would have your eyes on from when you are an apprentice, so it’s great.”