Coral Stewards' Cup
Heritage Handicap, Goodwood 15:35
£250,000 guaranteed,
3yo plus, 6f, Class 2   
Saturday 2nd August 2025

BoyleSports

1 Two Tribes 11/2
2 Strike Red 9/1
3 Jakajaro 16/1
4 Run Boy Run 10/1
27 ran NR: Toca Madera Distances: 2¼l, shd, ¾l
Time: 1m 10.14s (slow by 0.14s)

The race delivered a narrative straight from the racing gods — and Richard Spencer and Phil Cunningham were the central characters in this script of success, not only saddling the winner Two Tribes but also filling out the frame with Run Boy Run in fourth and Twilight Calls close behind in fifth.

Backed in from early double figures to an SP of 11/2, Two Tribes travelled powerfully in the stands’ side group under David Egan and, when asked for an effort, burst away with a turn of foot that made a mockery of this typically ultra-competitive handicap. The margin at the line was just over two lengths, with Strike Red, Jakajaro, and Run Boy Run chasing him home — all emerging from the high-numbered stalls that dominated proceedings.

There was no fluke about it. This was Two Tribes’ second major success in the space of seven days following victory at Ascot, and in a race where the first four all emerged from stall 18 or higher, Spencer’s team had clearly done their homework.

“I thought all three had really strong each-way chances,” Spencer reflected, “but to win like that? I never saw that margin coming. That’s a serious performance, especially backing up after a big run at Ascot. These are tough races — 28-runner fields, flat out from the gates — and for him to do it again speaks volumes for the horse and the team at home.”

The trainer also had words of promise for his other two runners: Run Boy Run, who caught the eye back at six furlongs with a visor reapplied, and Twilight Calls, who won the race on the far side, drawn away from the main action but still surging into fifth at 50/1.

“Twilight was just on the wrong side. He’s done remarkably to finish where he has. We’ll enjoy him — he’ll land a big one soon,” Spencer added, with an eye already drifting towards the Ayr Gold Cup.

Cunningham, ever passionate and candid, was clearly moved.

“It’s quite emotional,” he said. “There’s so much that goes on behind the scenes that people don’t see. This sport can be cruel and expensive — and then you get days like this, and it all makes sense again.”

He recalled the thrill of his early success with Cockney Rebel, but insisted that Two Tribes, a modest £4,000 foal purchase by Rajasinghe, has reignited the dream.

“You never know when the next good one’s coming. You keep chasing, and sometimes you get lucky. We’ve been spoilt these last two Saturdays. It’s very special to share it across three generations — my dad, my son — that’s rare.”

David Egan, who’s been a regular pilot for Spencer’s string, was effusive in his praise for both horse and trainer:

“He did it easier today than at Ascot. Travelled great, always had the leaders in sight, and when I asked, he just surged. He’s a quirky customer — tried to drop me going under the tunnel last week and again today — but that just tells you he’s thriving. Richard’s produced him to perfection.”

Strike Red’s rider Billy Garritty was full of admiration for his old campaigner, noting how “the winner had gone” but saluting his mount’s continued excellence in top handicaps.

And from Robert Cowell came words of encouragement for Jakajaro, whose late rattle under Jamie Spencer suggested even better might lie ahead:

“He’s got one of these big pots in him — just needs the luck. He’s very, very talented.”

But the day belonged to Two Tribes. From a £4,000 foal to dual Saturday handicap hero in a week, this was one for the scrapbook. And with Spencer, Cunningham, and Egan at the helm, the Rebel Racing banner looks set to fly even higher in the weeks ahead.

SureWIn

Coral Stewards' Cup (Heritage Handicap)
£250,000 guaranteed, 3yo plus, 6f, Class 2
27 ran
Going: Good to Soft, Good in places

POS. (DRAW) DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 (25)    Two Tribes 4 9-0 6ex Richard Spencer David Egan 11/2
2 (21) 2¼ Strike Red 7 8-13 Richard Fahey Billy Garritty 9/1
3 (18) shd Jakajaro 4 9-1 Robert Cowell Jamie Spencer 16/1
4 (19) ¾ Run Boy Run v 4 9-0 Richard Spencer George Wood 10/1
5 (11) hd Twilight Calls 7 9-2 Richard Spencer Saffie Osborne 50/1
6 (23) ½ Circe 4 9-2 Richard Hannon Ryan Moore 12/1
7 (7) shd Commanche Falls 8 9-5 Michael Dods Connor Beasley 28/1
8 (1) ½ Completely Random 4 9-3 Harry Charlton Trevor Whelan 14/1
9 (2) shd Jordan Electrics 9 9-7 Jim Goldie Paul Mulrennan 40/1
10 (28) 1 Apollo One 7 9-12 P Charalambous & J Clutterbuck Alice Bond 22/1
11 (22) nk Seven Questions p 4 9-5 Robert Cowell David Probert 100/1
12 (24) nk Annaf 6 9-12 Michael Appleby Daniel Muscutt 18/1
13 (3) 3 nk Orazio 6 9-2 Charles Hills Rossa Ryan 28/1
14 (12) ¾ Alzahir 5 9-6 6ex Jennie Candlish Hector Crouch 18/1
15 (4) shd Hammer The Hammer 3 9-5 Kevin Ryan Tom Eaves 9/2F
16 (17) ¾ Korker 6 9-6 K R Burke Jack Nicholls 16/1
17 (14) nk The X O 5 8-11 Robert Cowell Robert Havlin 100/1
18 (5) shd Vadream 7 9-1 Charlie Fellowes Kieran Shoemark 40/1
19 (8) 1¼ Elmonjed 4 9-7 6ex William Haggas Jim Crowley 15/2
20 (16) hd Saint Lawrence 7 9-0 Archie Watson Hollie Doyle 40/1
21 (9) 1½ Germanic 4 9-1 Julie Camacho Ryan Sexton 66/1
22 (13) hd Twilight Jet 6 9-1 Jim & Suzi Best Colin Keane 100/1
23 (26) 1 Desert Cop 5 9-2 George Baker Charles Bishop 80/1
24 (6) ½ Purosangue 4 9-6 Andrew Balding William Buick 9/1
25 (10) nk Jungle Drums 3 8-12 Jamie Osborne William Carver 125/1
26 (20) 1¾ Drama 4 8-12 James Ferguson Tom Marquand 50/1
27 (27) 8½ Get It 7 9-9 George Baker Pat Cosgrave 8/1
NR 18 (15) Toca Madera 4 9-1 Brian Meehan NON RUNNER