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| Staff Writer |
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Al Aasy is proving age is just a number, securing a captivating victory in the G3 Coral Glorious Stakes at Goodwood. The seven-year-old, trained by William Haggas, is demonstrating both class and courage under a masterful ride from Jim Crowley.
Despite facing only four rivals, Crowley is finding himself in a precarious position on the rail until the final furlong. Seizing the smallest of gaps, he's thrusting Al Aasy through to claim victory by a length from Relentless Voyager.
Crowley is praising the horse's versatility post-race: "He's just as good over 10 furlongs as he is over a mile and a half. He has been a bit unlucky because that's his run style."
William Haggas, securing his 27th Qatar Goodwood Festival winner, has always held Al Aasy in high regard. The gelding's victory is vindication of the trainer's patience and belief in the horse's abilities.
Sheikha Hissa Hamdan Al Maktoum is expressing delight at Al Aasy's performance: "He's seven now, so he has been with us for a while and I think finally he is maturing!" Shadwell's racing manager, Angus Gold, is highlighting the importance of keeping older horses in training: "It shows you how important it is to have these older horses in training. We need these horses to be competing at the bigger meetings."
Andrew Balding's Relentless Voyager is putting in a career-best performance to finish second, with George Scott's Phantom Flight a neck behind in third. Scott is revealing future plans for Phantom Flight: "I think he will go for the Strensall Stakes at York now, over a mile one and a bit, which should be perfect."
With this victory, Al Aasy is taking his career earnings to nearly £400,000. The win is showcasing the gelding's enduring class and suggesting there might be more to come from this talented performer.
As the Qatar Goodwood Festival concludes, Al Aasy's thrilling victory in the Coral Glorious Stakes is standing as a testament to the excitement and quality of racing at this prestigious meeting.
• 2020: Wins Listed Tapster Stakes at Haydock
• 2021: Victorious in G3 John Porter Stakes and G3 Aston Park Stakes
• 2022: Secures G3 September Stakes at Kempton
• 2023: Triumphs in G3 Coral Glorious Stakes at Goodwood
Al Aasy's consistent performance at the highest level is cementing his status as one of the most reliable older horses in training, promising more exciting races to come.