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| Staff Writer |
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Audience and jockey Rab Havlin showcased their class as they defied a penalty to take top honours in the Gr.2 Lennox Stakes, run over seven furlongs during this year’s Qatar Goodwood Festival.
The 5YO, trained by John and Thady Gosden for owner/breeder Cheveley Park Stud, tracked the pace set by Art Power into the straight before effortlessly pulling clear to win by four lengths. Kinross, a two-time Lennox Stakes winner with a previous second-place finish, emerged from the pack to secure third, a length further back.
Earlier in the season, Audience caused a stir by claiming victory in Newbury’s Gr.1 Lockinge Stakes, before finishing fifth in the Gr.1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.
John Gosden remarked, “Audience has defied a 5lb penalty. It’s incredible—he has matured a lot mentally, and I must admit, we need to catch up! He had the hood off today, and Rab really knows him, riding him most mornings.”
John and Thady Gosden celebrated their 47th Qatar Goodwood Festival winner with this victory while Havlin claimed his fourth Goodwood Festival victory, contributing to the Gosden team's success.
He continued, “Audience has always possessed the talent, and Mrs. Thompson kindly allowed us to keep him in training as a lead horse alongside Inspiral, which he did admirably in the Lockinge. His performance was no fluke, and the mile at Ascot was a bit too stiff for him last time.
“We plan to run him in the City of York Stakes next—he was second to Kinross in that race last year, and the absence of a penalty will certainly help. That’s the ‘Baldrick plan.’ We’ve also entered him for the Prix de la Foret. Last year's Good to Firm ground would be ideal for him, but we’d prefer to avoid the traditional autumn ground in Paris.
“He has the speed for a race like the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar, and travelling won’t be an issue for him.”
Havlin added, “After Audience won the Lockinge, I told everyone it was no fluke, and they laughed. He has always had plenty of ability. He wasn’t very competitive in the Lennox here last year with the hood on, but he has really sharpened up now. He’s so controllable.”
“I didn’t think we were going overly quickly up the hill, but when I let him go at the three-furlong marker, he showed incredible speed. You have to adapt your plan as you go along with this lad—it’s all about the moment.”
Chris Richardson of Cheveley Park Stud commented, “Clearly, Audience didn’t quite stay the stiff mile at Ascot. I was thrilled that Pat Thompson [owner] was at Newbury for his Lockinge win, and I'm sorry they couldn’t be here today. Defying a penalty has certainly given everyone plenty to consider.
“We will likely head to York for the City of York Stakes, where he won’t face a penalty. Everything is up for grabs as we explore all the races that suit his favored seven-furlong distance. I think he’s matured, continues to improve, and removing the hood today made a significant difference—that was a key suggestion from Rab. We’ve been loyal to Rab, and their relationship has really flourished.”
Tim Easterby, trainer of Art Power, weighed in: “He’s a small horse, but he’s wonderful and gives his all. He has an incredible temperament. We thought he’d run well. Our aim was to have him running over a fast seven somewhere; he ran well at York over seven. Softer ground would have suited better, but he handles any going. We want to target the big race at Ascot in October, but we’ll decide on his path home first. He’s a fantastic horse.”