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The Qatar Goodwood Festival is set to feature top contenders from across Europe and beyond, with seven races including the prestigious £600,000 Gr.1 Qatar Nassau Stakes and the £500,000 Gr.1 Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup.
Notable entries for the Qatar Nassau Stakes on August 1, include Gr.1 Prix de Diane winner Sparkling Plenty trained by Patrice Cottier, and Gr.1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas heroine Elmalka from the stable of Roger Varian.
Additionally, Tamfana, known for her strong performances in fillies’ Classics, is expected to make a notable appearance after finishing fourth at Newmarket and securing a third-place finish at Chantilly.
Her trainer David Menuisier, who is based locally in Pulborough, said: “Tamfana is in the Qatar Nassau Stakes and she might get a [supplementary] entry for the Grand Prix de Paris two weeks beforehand.
“We are keeping all options open and want to see how things are looking nearer the time.
“I was pleased with her run in the Prix de Diane and frustrated at the same time.
“I think she would have gone closer with a bit more cover but, due to our inside draw [4] and circumstances, we were pushed to go forward, which probably wasn’t ideal. I think she did well to finish as close as she did given how the race panned out.
“Oisin [Murphy] suggested to try 12 furlongs with her at some point. We were not too sure ourselves, but Oisin is one of the best jockeys in the country and you have to take on board what he says.”
The Qatar Nassau Stakes entries also feature Opera Singer (Aidan O’Brien), who was one of the leading 2YO fillies last season and is now poised to transition to longer distances after coming second in the Gr.1 Coronation Stakes.
Among the older fillies and mares, John & Thady Gosden’s Inspiral, a multiple Gr.1 winner, stands out, along with stablemates Running Lion and Laurel, who secured first and second place in the Gr.2 Duke Of Cambridge Stakes. Additionally, the impressive Gr.2 Middleton Stakes victor Bluestocking is set to compete for Ralph Beckett.
In the upcoming Gr.1 Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup on July 30, Kyprios (Aidan O’Brien) and Trawlerman (John & Thady Gosden) are expected to continue their competitive rivalry.
The two have achieved one victory each, with Trawlerman winning last season’s Gr.2 QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup and Kyprios securing revenge in the Gr.1 Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.
Kyprios will attempt to replicate his Gold Cup victory at Goodwood, after missing last year's Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup due to an injury.
Trainer Aidan O’Brien has entered 10 horses in the two-mile event, including Gr.1 St Leger winner Continuous and Gr.2 Queen’s Vase champion Illinois.
Caius Chorister, trained by Menuisier, finished sixth in the Gold Cup and narrowly missed victory in the Gr.3 Sagaro Stakes and the Gr.3 Henry II Stakes.
This 6YO, who ended last season with a notable Gr.3 win in France, is also among the 37 entries for the Gr.2 Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes on August 3.
The trainer said: “Caius Chorister is absolutely grand – she just didn’t stay the trip in the Gold Cup.
“We think she is the best staying filly in the country at the moment, so she will have the option of the Goodwood Cup or the Lillie Langtry Stakes against her own sex.
“The ground could be the deciding factor in which race she goes for.
“We feel the two miles at Goodwood will really suit her because she has speed for a stayer, although realistically it is unlikely she can beat a horse like Kyprios.
“For me, that horse comes from a different planet.”
Australia's Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes winner, Asfoora, trained by Henry Dwyer, is scheduled to extend her European campaign by participating in the Gr.2 King George Qatar Stakes on August 2.
In addition, Breeders' Cup winner Big Evs, trained by Mick Appleby, who finished third behind the Australian mare at Royal Ascot, and last season's Gr.1 Nunthorpe Stakes champion Live In The Dream, trained by Adam West, have also been included in the list of 27 entries.
Furthermore, the popular 7YO Kinross, under the guidance of Ralph Beckett, may aim for a third Gr.2 World Pool Lennox Stakes victory on July 30.
The roster for the seven-furlong event includes Gr.1 Lockinge Stakes victor Audience, trained by John & Thady Gosden, Gr.3 Jersey Stakes winner Haatem, under Richard Hannon's training, and the impressive Royal Ascot handicap champion English Oak, trained by Ed Walker.
Additionally, entries for the two main handicaps of the Qatar Goodwood Festival have been unveiled, with 111 contenders in the Coral Stewards' Cup and 61 in the Coral Golden Mile. The weights for both races will be released on July 3.