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| Staff Writer |
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The prestigious Qatar Goodwood Festival is set to captivate racing enthusiasts once again, with a stellar lineup of equine talent preparing to grace the Sussex Downs. Headlining the event are two remarkable performers: Kinross, the seasoned sprinter from Ralph Beckett's yard, aiming for a third triumph in the World Pool Lennox Stakes, and Kyprios, Aidan O'Brien's exceptional stayer, looking to reclaim his title in the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup. As top trainers like Beckett and O'Brien ready their formidable squads, the stage is set for thrilling rematches, potential record-equaling performances, and the emergence of new stars across various Group races. With millions in prize money at stake and the world's best thoroughbreds converging, this year's festival promises to be a showcase of speed, stamina, and equine excellence.
Kinross, the seasoned sprinter, spearheads Ralph Beckett's squad for the Qatar Goodwood Festival, aiming for a third triumph in the World Pool Lennox Stakes.
At seven years old, this gelding has been a consistent performer for the stable, amassing 10 victories – including eight at Group level – and nearly £2million in prize money over recent seasons.
Kinross first claimed the Lennox Stakes in 2021. The following year, he narrowly missed out, finishing a neck behind Andrew Balding's Sandrine. However, he bounced back in 2023 to reclaim his title by the same slim margin.
As Kinross prepares for another attempt at the seven-furlong Group Two event, Beckett also hopes to defend his leading trainer title from last year's meeting.
“For years I had no luck at Goodwood! We could never get it right. The last couple of years it’s gone well, but these things are cyclical,” he said.
“You’ve got to keep doing it, haven’t you? We had a good Royal Ascot and hopefully we’ll enjoy a good Goodwood.
Of Kinross, Beckett added: “I think we’re all very aware that we’re unlikely to ever have another like him and every day is a joy.
“Because of how long he’s been here and the fact I trained most of his family as well and for him to end up as he has, I don’t think any of us expected that.
“He’s been an easy horse to train, but he loves his work, just loves his work. And that’s made our lives very easy.”
“He’s been pretty unlucky not to win three Lennox Stakes, but he loves it there, he really does. He’s come out of the July Cup in good form, so we’re looking forward to it.”
Beckett's Goodwood lineup may feature Sonny Liston, who could seek redemption in the Qatar Sussex Stakes after a disappointing performance in Ascot's Summer Mile.
He said: “He likes Goodwood. He’s run well twice there from his only two starts, and so he could well run in the Qatar Sussex Stakes. We might re-employ headgear as well.”
John Gosden, who trained Simple Verse to victory in the 2015 Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes before her St Leger triumph, may have two runners in this year's race. River Of Stars, who finished second last season, and Oxford Comma are both expected to participate.
He said: “River Of Stars could go back and be joined by Oxford Comma, who won her only two starts this year. They could both show up there, depending on ground. That looks like an obvious target for both.”
Task Force and King's Gamble, both trained by Beckett, are potential entrants in the Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes.
“King’s Gamble ran very well in the Britannia and Task Force is sort of on the comeback trail. He ran quite well in the Jersey Stakes. We think he’s better than that. I think Goodwood will suit him very well,” the trainer said.
Starlust, victorious in the City Walls Stakes during her latest outing at York, is slated to compete in the Qatar King George Stakes. The race will cover the same five-furlong distance.
Beckett said: “Starlust has defied every expectation, we never saw him coming really. I never thought of him as a five-furlong horse but he saves his best for the racecourse and that’s why he keeps rolling.”
Aidan O'Brien all set with his Star-Studded Contingent
Aidan O'Brien is also gearing up for the Qatar Goodwood Festival with a contingent of horses, spearheaded by his exceptional stayer, Kyprios. However, the Ballydoyle trainer has expressed some concern regarding the ground conditions.
The chestnut stallion has made a flawless return this season, recapturing the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot in his most recent outing. This comeback is particularly remarkable given how close Kyprios came to losing his life.
A joint infection had abruptly halted his career, and the grueling rehabilitation process only made his victorious return more satisfying, as the horse demonstrated he had lost none of his prowess.
Kyprios clinched the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup in 2022, establishing himself as the emerging force in the staying division. Now, he's set to revisit the Sussex Downs in an attempt to reclaim his title in the same prestigious race.
“Kyprios is lazy in his work but we’re very happy with him. Everything has gone well since Ascot. We are very happy with him,” said O’Brien.
“He’s a very special horse and has a lot of class. He has a lot more class than most people think.
“He does stay, but he’d have no problem being a Group horse over one mile and two furlongs.
“As he goes up in distance, he just gets better. Those good stayers are very rare.
“When you go to those distances, very few horses get them really, but he has the class and gets the trip as well.”
Stablemate Point Lonsdale could either join or replace Kyprios in the race depending on conditions, with O’Brien adding: “Point Lonsdale could possibly join him. We had it in our minds that if the ground was very fast at Goodwood, then we’d have to think about whether we want to risk Kyprios.
“Hopefully he will run, but even if he didn’t Point Lonsdale is going to be an unbelievable sub. He handles fast ground and shows he gets one mile and seven furlongs well. He might get two miles as well.
“He’s a horse with a lot of class and we saw in his last run he wasn’t beaten far in a Group One over one mile and four furlongs. He’s a lovely horse with a great mind.”
The Qatar Sussex Stakes is shaping up as a thrilling rematch, featuring the top finishers from Royal Ascot's St James's Palace Stakes. Rosallion, Henry Longfellow, and Notable Speech are set to clash once more in this prestigious event.
Trainer Aidan O'Brien stands on the cusp of equaling a remarkable record. Having already secured six victories in this race, he's now just one win shy of matching the legendary Sir Henry Cecil's seven triumphs in the one-mile classic.
Henry Longfellow, who claimed second place at the Royal meeting, is primed for another shot at glory. His connections are eager to see him compete again with the elite of his division at Goodwood, where he'll aim to turn the tables on his rivals.
“We always thought he was a special horse based on what he did last year,” he said.
“We were over the moon with his run at Royal Ascot. If we’d got a clearer run in France we would have known more going into Ascot, so we went into Ascot just learning about him. There’s every chance he’ll progress.”
O'Brien pins his hopes on Opera Singer for the Qatar Nassau Stakes following her runner-up finish to the impressive Porta Fortuna in Royal Ascot's Coronation Stakes.
“We were delighted with Opera Singer at Ascot. The other horse who led just messed up her pace a little bit but we were over the moon with her,” he said of the filly.
“We were always going to step up to a mile and two furlongs in the Qatar Nassau Stakes with her after that. We’re very happy with her and everything has gone well since Ascot.”
The undefeated Jan Brueghel is slated to compete in the Group Three John Pearce Racing Gordon Stakes. Following this race, he may vie for the St Leger at Doncaster in September, which marks the final British Classic of the season.
“The plan with Jan Brueghel is the Gordon Stakes. We always thought he was going to stay and could stay further,” O’Brien said.
“We’re very happy with him. He’s a very relaxed and laid-back horse who has had two lovely runs this year. We thought this would fit into his programme well.”
The Lillie Langtry trophy has never made its way back to Ballydoyle but O’Brien is hoping Grateful can change that when she flies the flag for the stable in the Group Two.
“She’s a Galileo filly and she’s the last of the Galileo’s out of Tepin. She has the most incredible pedigree,” he said.
“We were delighted with her last time when she stepped up in distance. She was still green when she got to the front. Ronan Whelan rode her and thought she would come forward again.”