Coral Vintage Stakes
Group 2, Goodwood 13:55
£175,000 guaranteed,
2yo only,
7f, Class 1   
Tuesday 29th July 2025

SureWIn

1 Zavateri 8/1
2 Morris Dancer 22/1
3 Do Or Do Not 7/1
10 ran Distances: shd, 1¾l, nk
Time: 1m 26.43s (slow by 2.13s)

There was nothing vintage about the finish — it was sparkling new. 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 win by the narrowest of margins.

It was a finish for the archives. Having travelled sweetly into the straight under Charlie Bishop, Zavateri quickened into the lead with purpose — but just as the job looked done, William Buick and Morris Dancer surged from the back with a withering run. The pair flashed past the post locked together, but the judge’s short-head verdict confirmed Zavateri’s unbeaten record remains intact after three starts.

Third home, two lengths adrift, was Do Or Do Not — the Coventry runner-up again running with credit but without reward.

For Eve Johnson Houghton, this was not just another win — it was a bold roll of the dice that paid off. Carrying a Group Two penalty into battle, Zavateri was giving weight away all round. Yet he found more when it mattered, and now looks firmly on course for Group One targets this autumn.

“He’s just so tough,” said Johnson Houghton. “He had to win it twice — once when he hit the front, and again when William came at him. He’s such a dude. Lovely horse, straightforward, and the staff adore him.”

The trainer confirmed that the Dewhurst Stakes is the next stop, ruling out any other run between now and Newmarket.

“We were punchy to come here under a penalty, but it made sense,” she added. “There’s nothing before Doncaster really, and we didn’t want to wait. He’ll have a nice break now and then it’s the Dewhurst — maybe even better than Tout Seul, who Dad trained.”

Charlie Bishop was understandably glowing in post-race debrief.

“You ride in these races, you ride against the best — but you’ve got to back yourself,” he said. “We kept it simple, rode him with confidence. He answered every call. When William came late, most would fold — Zavateri just found again.”

It was a performance that ticked every box: class, composure, courage. The Dewhurst awaits, and beyond that, dreams of the 2000 Guineas may not be far-fetched.

As for Morris Dancer, John Gosden was full of praise despite the narrow defeat.

“He’s run a cracker,” said Gosden. “Had a cough, missed a bit, so came here light on work. He’s by Palace Pier, and William thinks a mile will suit — so we’ll look at that.”

Buick added: “The winner just found more, but we’re thrilled. He’s come on plenty.”

And what of Do Or Do Not?

“More like ‘Do Not’ today,” quipped Ed Walker, part amused, part exasperated. “I thought he was going to go by them and win. He’s so genuine, gives us everything — we may try something a bit easier to give him that elusive win.”

But the headlines rightly belong to Zavateri — stylish, steely, and still unbeaten. Group One now firmly in his sights.

Coral Vintage Stakes
£175,000 guaranteed, 2yo only, 7f, Class 1
10 ran
Going: Good

POS. (DRAW) DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY
1 (6)    Zavateri 2 9-6 Eve Johnson Houghton Charles Bishop 8/1
2 (3) shd Morris Dancer 2 9-3 John & Thady Gosden William Buick 22/1
3 (7) 1¾ Do Or Do Not 2 9-3 Ed Walker Tom Marquand 7/1
4 (9) nk Goodwood Galaxy 2 9-3 David Menuisier Oisin Murphy 25/1
5 (2) ½ Dorset 2 9-3 A P O'Brien Ryan Moore 13/8F
6 (4) ½ Andab 2 9-3 Joseph O'Brien Dylan Browne McMonagle 9/2
7 (10) nk Humidity 3 2 9-3 Andrew Balding James Doyle 5/1
8 (1) 4 Laureate Crown 2 9-3 Hugo Palmer Jamie Spencer 18/1
9 (5) hd Gharma Sutra 2 9-3 Richard Hannon Sean Levey 40/1
10 (8) 2¼ Vincenzo Peruggia 2 9-3 Charlie Johnston David Egan 40/1