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Tuesday 29th July - Saturday 2nd August

Balding, Murphy and Coolmore Crowned at Glorious Goodwood

Glorious Goodwood drew to a close with a flourish as Gladius took the final race, the Coral Rewards Shaker Handicap, sealing a second leading trainer title for Andrew Balding, edging out Ralph Beckett by the narrowest of margins — the countback of placed horses.

It was a week of high consistency for Balding, with four winners across the five days. Among the standouts was Fox Legacy, a dominant force in Friday’s Regent Seven Seas Cruises Bentinck Conditions Stakes, following earlier wins for Stellar Sunrise in Tuesday’s EBF Maiden and Sir Albert in the Phase Eight Nursery on Thursday.

Ralph Beckett pushed him all the way, not least thanks to the astonishing 150/1 success of Qirat in the G1 Sussex Stakes — the shock of the meeting. His double act in the G3 Oak Tree Stakes saw Saqqara Sands and Tabiti dead-heat in a thrilling finish, while Push The Limit added further gloss in the Coral Pipped At The Post Winners Handicap.

“I can’t complain,” Balding reflected. “If you leave Goodwood with four winners, it’s been a good week. See The Firewas the one disappointment in the Nassau — perhaps the rain just came too late for her — but overall, we’re delighted.”

Top jockey honours went the way of Oisin Murphy once again, securing the title for a second year running with six winners, three of them teaming up with Balding. His week included early momentum with Dubai Treasure on Tuesday, and a double on Friday via Kyle Of Lochalsh in the marathon Coral Goodwood Handicap and Seagulls Eleven in the G3 Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes.

“It’s been a brilliant few days,” Murphy said. “I’ve been lucky to ride winners for a number of trainers and the horses have all turned up. Andrew’s had a great week too — fair play to him.”

Murphy’s suspension on the final day meant he missed the chance to partner Gladius, but the title was already secured, fending off strong challenges from the likes of Ryan Moore and William Buick.

In the owners' ranks, Coolmore once again proved dominant, with the familiar partnership of Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier and Westerberg claiming top honours for the second consecutive year. All three of their winners were trained by Aidan O’Brien, underlining the continued strength of Ballydoyle at the top table.

Scandinavia and Illinois provided a 1-2 in the G1 Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup, while Whirl proved an unstoppable force in the testing ground of the G1 Qatar Nassau Stakes, coming home five lengths clear. Isaac rounded off the trio with success in Saturday’s British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden.

Another year, another layer of drama, upsets and brilliance at Goodwood — and fittingly, the final word belonged to three names all too familiar in the winner’s enclosure.

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Two Tribes wins the Coral Stewards’ Cup under David Egan for Richard Spencer.

Waardah toughs it out to get the better of Danielle in the G2 Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes.

JM Jungle wins the King George Qatar Stakes for John & Sean Quinn under Jason Hart.

The David O'Meara-trained Rhoscolyn records another victory at Goodwood with success in the Coral Golden Mile.

Wootton Bassett filly Whirl demolishes her rivals in the driving rain to win the Qatar Nassau Stakes.

William Haggas’ Merchant ran down Wimbledon Hawkeye to land the Group 3 Gordon Stakes under Tom Marquand.

It's a third victory in the Markel Richmond Stakes for trainer Clive Cox, as Coppull sticks hard to the stands' rail under David Probert and bags the Group Two contest in some style.

Qirat wins the Visit Qatar Sussex Stakes
(photo: Goodwood Racecourse)

Qirat – Juddmonte’s so-called second string – tore up the form book to land the Group 1 Sussex Stakes at 150/1, a jaw-dropping result that left even the most seasoned punters reaching for the racecard.

Group Three honours in the Molecomb Stakes for the Ger Lyons-trained Lady Iman under Ryan Moore.

Scandinavia won a Group 1 race for the first time in his career, beating Illinois in the Goodwood Cup.

Hollie Doyle delivers Witness Stand to victory for Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole in the World Pool Lennox Stakes.

Zavateri, stepping up to seven furlongs for the first time, showcased grit and class in equal measure as he repelled the late charge of longshot Morris Dancer  to land the G2 Coral Vintage Stakes by the narrowest of margins.