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| Staff Writer |
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Term Of Endearment is living up to her name, delivering a heart-warming victory for trainer Henry de Bromhead and jockey Billy Lee in their Goodwood debuts. The five-year-old mare is powering to success in the G2 Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes, marking a significant milestone for her Irish connections.
De Bromhead, primarily known for his National Hunt success, is expressing his delight at the warm reception: "It is my first runner here – we've had a lovely time, we've been well looked after and we're having a great day."
The Waterford-based trainer is praising his mare's versatility: "Before, we always felt she needed soft ground, but I think that was more to bring out her stamina. I was concerned about the ground here today, but she seemed to love it."
Billy Lee, also making his Goodwood bow, is riding a tactically astute race. "It's my first time here but I was following Oisin – I tracked him through and this filly picked up well down the hill," the jockey is revealing post-race.
Lee is also hinting at future possibilities: "I think she is maybe improving. She handled that ground really well and even a step up to two miles might not be out of her reach."
Term Of Endearment, sent off at 15/2, is securing victory by three-quarters of a length from Andrew Balding's Night Sparkle, with Ralph Beckett's River Of Stars filling the same margin back in third.
Balding is expressing satisfaction with Night Sparkle's run: "She has put in three really good efforts this year and deserves to win a Stakes race at some stage."
Beckett, trainer of River Of Stars, is also pleased: "She ran a sound race and we're pleased with her. We will wait for the Park Hill, probably."
De Bromhead is keeping options open for Term Of Endearment's future: "She's in the Irish St Leger and I think there is a nice race at York, so we'll see."
With this impressive Goodwood victory, Term Of Endearment is cementing her status as a top-class stayer. As the Flat season progresses, all eyes will be on this improving mare to see if she can continue her ascent through the ranks.
The surprise of the race is John & Thady Gosden's Free Wind, the 11/4 favourite, finishing last of the eight runners. This unexpected result is adding another layer of intrigue to an already memorable contest.
As the Qatar Goodwood Festival continues to deliver thrilling performances, Term Of Endearment's victory in the Lillie Langtry Stakes is standing out as a highlight, promising an exciting future for this talented Irish mare and her connections.