John Pearce Racing Gordon Stakes
Group 3, Goodwood 14:30
£200,000 guaranteed,
3yo only,
1m 3f 218y, Class 1   
Thursday 31st July 2025

1 Merchant 6/5F
2 Wimbledon Hawkeye 15/2
3 Windlord 15/2
7 ran Distances: nse, 7l, ¾l
Time: 2m 37.88s (slow by 2.98s)

A proven battler from the King George V Stakes, Merchant took another bold stride forward at Goodwood, toughing it out in deteriorating conditions to snatch win by the narrowest of margins — a nose — under a never-say-die ride from Tom Marquand.

The tapes were used to start the race, a rare sight these days, with lightning in the air and the ground turning softer by the minute. As the field swung for home, it looked for all money like Wimbledon Hawkeye had timed it to perfection. Roger Varian’s colt struck for home two furlongs out and had them all off the bridle — all, that is, except Merchant, who ground his way back into contention with every stride.

By the line, it was a match race. Nose to nose, stride for stride. Merchant, just. The judge confirmed it, but it wasn’t immediate.

Trainer William Haggas, who watched the finish alongside Varian, admitted:

“I wasn’t sure. Roger said he thought we’d won. It was a proper scrap — gutsy stuff. James [Owen] has done a great job with Wimbledon Hawkeye and he looked the winner for a long way. But someone had to lose, and we were the lucky ones this time.”

Connections now face the familiar conundrum: step up to St Leger company over a mile and six, or stick to a trip that already plays to Merchant’s strengths?

“I’m not certain about the Leger,” Haggas added. “We had planned the Voltigeur at York. He’s had a race today, though — he’ll need an easy ten days. My gut says the Leger didn’t really help Desert Hero last year long-term. We’ll speak with Harry [Herbert] and see.”

Marquand, who has become almost telepathic aboard the Highclere Thoroughbred Racing colours, was full of admiration for his mount:

“I needed a brave one. He hated the ground, and Wimbledon Hawkeye had that lovely run downhill and kept rolling. Merchant was floundering, but he never gave up. Every time I thought I was beaten, he came again. You can’t teach that.”

As for the Leger?

“He’s entitled to be in the conversation, absolutely,” Marquand said. “But if he didn’t go on that, you wouldn’t fancy him slogging it out at Doncaster in soft ground. He’s better than that.”

Harry Herbert, never shy to dream big, struck a balance between excitement and caution:

“That was very special. He’s a beautiful mover, so it couldn’t have been easy for him. This is the best colt we’ve had since Harbinger — I’m not comparing them, but he is that good. The Voltigeur remains the plan for now. The Leger? Not our top preference. But if he wins at York… maybe we start thinking about Paris.”

Back in third, Windlord shaped with promise stepping up in trip for Andrew Balding, who was content with the effort:

“He stayed well. First time over that trip, and he’s handled it. Very versatile, very honest.”

So while the lightning may have stayed away, there was no shortage of electricity in the finish — Merchant, once more, finding just that little bit extra.

SureWIn

Gordon Stakes
£200,000 guaranteed, 3yo only, 1m 3f 218y, Class 1
7 ran
Going: Good

POS. (DRAW) DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 (4)    Merchant 3 9-3 William Haggas Tom Marquand 6/5F
2 (2) nse Wimbledon Hawkeye 3 9-3 James Owen Sean D Bowen 15/2
3 (1) 7 Windlord 3 9-3 Andrew Balding Oisin Murphy 15/2
4 (5) ¾ Rahiebb 3 9-3 Roger Varian Silvestre De Sousa 17/2
5 (6) 5 Too Soon 3 9-3 Gary & Josh Moore Tom Queally 50/1
6 (7) 4¼ Sir Dinadan 3 9-3 Ralph Beckett Rossa Ryan 4/1
7 (3) 22 Galveston 3 9-3 A P O'Brien Ryan Moore 8/1

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