Latest horse racing news from UK, Ireland, and around the world.

Return to Goodwood possible for Seagulls Eleven

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Hugo Palmer will monitor the Celebration Mile at Goodwood as he plots a route for Seagulls Eleven.

The son of Galileo Gold, who is owned by a group of current and former Brighton football players, finally broke his Group-race duck when landing the Thoroughbred Stakes on the Sussex Downs.

He could be heading back to Goodwood over course and distance, while a trip to Doncaster is also on option before a likely run overseas.

Palmer said: “He had some fairly tough assignments last year and as a result, despite the fact he was the 10th highest rated two-year-old in Europe, he only actually won a maiden so it’s lovely for him to be a Group winner.

“He got a couple of fairly nasty knocks as well. Henri Matisse crashed into him fairly hard in the National Stakes and he was crashed into from behind in the Breeders’ Cup.

“I think as a result when he just got very fractionally short of room in the Guineas, he just panicked and kind of pulled himself up, so we’ve worked hard with his confidence, both at home and in races.

“I thought he ran a really good race in the Jersey despite being drawn on the wrong side but on his side he was just a long neck, half a length second.

“And then he was obviously very good in the Henry Cecil Stakes (at Newmarket) and we were delighted when Charlie Appleby took his horse (Opera Ballo) out so we didn’t have to try to reverse form with him.

Qatar Goodwood Festival – King George Day – Goodwood Racecourse
Seagulls Eleven on his way to Goodwood glory (Andrew Matthews/PA)

“We’ve put him in the Park Stakes at Doncaster and we’ll keep an eye on the Celebration Mile and see how many are likely to stay in that.

“We might supplement him in that over course and distance. He would have been a horse for what used to be the Sovereign Stakes at Salisbury, but that’s gone and he’d have had a penalty in that. We’d love to potentially travel him.

“We were thinking about a $1million race at Kentucky Downs which is quite up and down, which is un-American and quite Goodwood-esque, I believe, not that I’ve been there.

“We potentially might be invited to the Golden Eagle which is worth A$10million and it’s a lot of money to pass up. So we’ll just have to see. He’s come out of the race super.”

Options home and abroad for promising filly Awaken

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Royal Ascot runner-up Awaken is poised to return to deeper waters after a brief drop back in grade to open her account at Leicester recently.

Second to Richard Spencer’s well-regarded Gold Digger at Yarmouth on debut, she reversed that form when again a silver medallist in the Albany Stakes at the Royal meeting, finishing a length and a half adrift of Karl Burke’s Venetian Sun in a race that is beginning to look a red-hot piece of form.

The daughter of Mehmas made all to open her account at Leicester and Harry Herbert of owners Highclere Thoroughbreds said: “The Albany form is very strong and she has come out of the race really well, which she should have done really as it was just a piece of work for her in many ways.

“It was good to make her a winner and in that respect it was job done and now we can aim our sights towards black-type races again.”

Trained by George Boughey, Awaken is currently a single figure price for the Sky Bet Lowther Stakes during York’s Ebor Festival, but she is not certain to line-up on the Knavesmire with connections also contemplating a step up in trip for Deauville’s Prix du Calvados.

Herbert continued: “It could be the Lowther next but I’m not sure that necessarily smells totally right at the moment and she has plenty of options. There’s also the Prix du Calvados in France and we think seven furlongs would very much be in her compass.

“There’s two or three races lurking and we do think now she’s got the win under her belt she is capable of taking that step back into black-type company and see how far she takes us.

“She’s a very scopey filly and it is also about next season as well and here at Highclere we’re forever dreaming she may develop into a 1000 Guineas prospect, it’s fantastically exciting.”

Racing Bulletin for 08/08/2025

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Today's Racing

Click on course names to view our course guides. Click on race times to access that racecard. Times highlighted in yellow are free races of the day.

Musselburgh

Good

 13:50 14:20 14:50 15:20 15:55 16:30 17:05
Brighton

Good to Firm

 14:00 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:35
Thirsk

Good to Firm

 14:10 14:40 15:10 15:40 16:13 16:45
Wexford

Good

 16:18 16:53 17:28 18:03 18:38 19:13 19:48 20:22
Tipperary

Good to Firm

 16:40 17:12 17:47 18:22 18:57 19:32 20:07
Newmarket

Good

 17:20 17:55 18:30 19:05 19:40 20:14
Haydock Park

Good

 17:40 18:15 18:50 19:25 20:00 20:30

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Sons And Lovers goes the distance in the Ballyroan victory

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Sons And Lovers put up a smart front-running performance to repel Crystal Black in the Tote Ballyroan Stakes at Leopardstown and set up some potentially big targets on the international stage.

A staying-on fifth in the 10-furlong Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot, Joseph O’Brien elected to try a mile and a half with his four-year-old, who was well backed as the 6-5 favourite .

The popular Crystal Black tracked the winner all the way, but try as he might he could not quite get to Dylan Browne McMonagle’s mount, going doing by half a length.

O’Brien: “He’s had some very good runs this year and it was his first time going the trip. We were pretty hopeful that he would enjoy it.

“There is a race here for him on Champions Weekend (Kilternan Stakes) and we’re also going to look at some international targets in the autumn.

“The owners have Absurde who ran well in Melbourne a couple of times and there is a good chance we could look at something like that for him.

“There are races all over the Middle East and there is also Dubai early next year. Everything is on the table at the moment.”

Johan has been a tremendous servant to the Channon yard and the decision to travel to Ireland with the eight-year-old proved inspired in the Bahrain Turf Club Desmond Stakes, the other Group Three on the card.

Having his first run since October, Jack Channon’s charge was straight to the front under Ronan Whelan and the 2022 Lincoln Handicap winner refused to give way, holding on by half a length from 15-8 favourite Alakazi.

Whelan said of the 12-1 winner: “Obviously his form suggests he runs well fresh and the lads pinpointed him to come here fresh.

“He likes to get into a rhythm, so we were happy enough to bowl away and the way the track sets up played to his strengths today.

“He’s a credit to connections and is getting better with age. It’s nice to tick off a stakes race for them.”

He added: “The Channons have always been very good to me and it’s great to repay them.”

Aidan O’Brien’s Montreal defied market weakness to run out a most impressive winner of the Irish Stallion Farms EBF (C&G) Maiden.

With plenty of support for Ger Lyons’ newcomer Res Ipsa, Montreal drifted out to 6-4, as Res Ipsa went off the 5-4 favourite.

However, after missing the break Colin Keane was always fighting a losing battle on the market leader, with Wayne Lordan getting Montreal over to the rail from his wide draw and moving an effortless eight lengths clear in the straight.

A son of Sea The Stars, Montreal holds entries in the Champagne Stakes and National Stakes and a look into the female side of his pedigree sees the likes of King’s Best and Urban Sea.

Stable representative Chris Armstrong said: “He was going nicely at home before his first run, but he jumped slow and was just a bit green and immature. He’s improved nicely in the two weeks at home.

“Wayne controlled it from the front, setting a nice even tempo, and kept gradually building it up.

“All the big options for the rest of the year are open to him and he’ll be a lovely middle-distance horse for next year. He’s put himself in the mix to come back here on Champions Weekend.”

Waardah far from certain to go to York

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Waardah looks set to bypass the Yorkshire Oaks on the Knavesmire and head straight to Qipco British Champions Day should the drying weather continue for Owen Burrows’ star filly.

The three-year-old daughter of Postponed stepped up to a mile and six furlongs for the first time with ease as she held off Danielle to secure the Lillie Langtry at Goodwood last week.

That success put her in the conversation for the Group One contest during the Ebor Festival at York, but the lack of cut in the ground has cast doubt over Waardah’s participation.

However, the Farncombe Down trainer is unfazed at a potential three-month wait for her return at Ascot, if she does not get her preferred conditions.

“She’s come out Goodwood well,” Burrows said. “She’s in the Yorkshire Oaks, that might come a bit quick to be honest and looking at the weather she does like to get her toe in a little bit.

“There’s no significant rain anywhere through until the end of next week and I think the Fillies & Mares at Ascot is tailormade for her with near enough guaranteed soft ground, so I’ll probably work my way back from that.

“If she’s having to go straight there, then so be it. If we can get another one into her then great, that’s a bonus.”

Gabriella Hill bringing historic link to Newmarket

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Gabriella Hill, the great-granddaughter of Dawn Run’s owner Charmian Hill, could become a familiar face in Newmarket, as she ventures across the Irish Sea for her first taste of British racing’s Headquarters.

She registered the third victory of her fledgling riding career when guiding Henry de Bromhead’s Trubshaw to victory at Sligo on Wednesday, her first success in the famous silks once worn by Jonjo O’Neill when guiding the magnificent Dawn Run to victory in both the Champion Hurdle and Cheltenham Gold Cup in the 1980s.

Hill’s previous two winners had come for Jim Bolger and with her claim now reduced to 7lb, she will spread her wings by joining Stuart Williams on a trial basis in the heartland of British racing.

Hill said: “He’s (Trubshaw) come on a lot in his last few runs and it’s great to get a win in the family colours.

Gabriella Hill after riding a winner for Jim Bolger
Gabriella Hill after riding a winner for Jim Bolger (Brian Lawless/PA)

“I’m getting the boat over to Newmarket on Monday to join Stuart Williams.

“He has a good few horses and I’m looking forward to it.”

Williams will be hoping Hill continues the promising start she has made to her career in Ireland and is looking forward to welcoming her to his Diomed Stables team.

He added: “She is going to come over for a trial for a couple of weeks and to see if she enjoys Newmarket and see how we get on together and then make a decision from there.

“She rode a winner on Wednesday night and hopefully she will enjoy being with us and stay for a while.”

Ghostwriter to fly the flag for Philippart de Foy

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Kevin Philippart de Foy is keen to make new recruit Ghostwriter a “high-profile flagbearer” in his role as principal trainer to Amo Racing.

The Belgian handler replaced Raphael Freire in the Freemason Lodge hotseat for Kia Joorabchian’s operation and could have the ideal candidate to help make his mark after the Hardwicke Stakes third was transferred from Clive Cox to the training centre that is the former home of Sir Michael Stoute.

Last seen when rearing over and subsequently being withdrawn from the Princess of Wales’s Stakes at Newmarket, Philippart de Foy is eager to show patience with the high-class four-old and said: “Ghostwriter is a really exciting horse, Clive has done an excellent job with him and now we just need to carry on that work.

Trainer Kevin Philippart De Foy has plenty to look forward to
Trainer Kevin Philippart De Foy has plenty to look forward to (Mike Egerton/PA)

“There will be some exciting winter targets and he is a horse that is probably going to be travelling over the winter and into next year as well.

“The idea for him is to become that high-profile flagbearer for the yard. We’re just going to let him settle in and get used to surroundings and take our time with him.

“He’s a highly-talented horse and we want to do everything right by him and once he tells us he’s ready to run, we’ll get him to the races.”

As well as Ghostwriter, Philippart de Foy has also seen some other high-profile Amo names join him at Freemason Lodge, including Coronation Stakes fourth Cathedral and the unraced two-year-old Partying, who have both been switched from the care of Ralph Beckett.

Kia Joorabchian has installed Kevin Philippart de Foy as his trainer at Freemason Lodge
Kia Joorabchian has installed Kevin Philippart de Foy as his trainer at Freemason Lodge (Mike Egerton/PA)

Cathedral will have her first outing for her new trainer in Sandown’s Atalanta Stakes later this month.

“She’s a filly which will probably go to Sandown for the Atlanta at the end of the month, then we will take it from there,” said Philippart de Foy.

“She showed she is very good over a mile in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot and then might not have stayed the extra furlong in France last time when the ground was a bit slow that day.

“We’ll bring her back to a mile on faster conditions and she has arrived in great shape.”

Partying, who is a Frankel filly out of Royal Ascot winner Aljazzi, was the most expensive yearling sold at the prestigious Tattersalls Book One sale last October and brought the hammer down at 4.4million guineas.

She is envisaged to begin her racing career later in the year, when Philippart de Foy hopes she will live up to her name and give connections cause for huge celebration.

“She’s a very exciting filly to be training,” he continued.

“She comes with a big price-tag, but she’s a great-moving filly and has a very good mind.

Partying was sold for 4.4million guineas at Tattersalls
Partying was sold for 4.4million guineas at Tattersalls (Tattersalls)

“We’re not asking too many questions at the moment, but it’s so far so good and she’s a really exciting filly going forward.

“We’ll look to get her on track towards the back end of the year and hopefully she can deliver and prove to be another exciting prospect for Amo.”

On his move across Newmarket to his new home, Philippart de Foy added: “I couldn’t be happier and you can’t complain when you are training out of Freemason Lodge.

“Training for Amo Racing is a real privilege and I’m delighted with how things have started. It’s been a smooth transition and hopefully it’s going to be an exciting couple of months coming up.

“When you start training these are the type of horses you are always targeting training and when I started five years ago I could only dream of training these types, so I’m obviously delighted but I have just got to deliver now.”

Walker lining up powerful squad for Ebor meeting

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Ed Walker is building up a strong team for the Ebor Festival at York later this month with two leading contenders for the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes in Celandine and Mgheera.

The Lambourn handler has a third entry in the Group One sprint in Balmoral Lady but she is only likely to take her chance if the ground is soft.

Celandine won the Lowther Stakes at the track last year while Mgheera had to settle for second in the Sapphire Stakes in Ireland last time out, having won her first two starts for Walker.

“I think it’s probably unlikely we’ll run all three. It will probably be Celandine and Mgheera – or Balmoral Lady. To be competitive at that level, I think Balmoral Lady needs softer ground,” said Walker.

Celandine won the Lowther Stakes last year
Celandine won the Lowther Stakes last year (Mike Egerton/PA)

“Celandine’s in great form. She’s definitely trained on. I’m adamant that she will be comfortable with the five furlongs. I feel she just about hangs on over six – like she did in the Lowther – and I’m really excited about seeing her in a strong five furlongs. She showed great speed in the Molecomb as a two-year-old. The owners are supportive, so I think we’re going to roll the dice in the Nunthorpe.

“Mgheera, it’s been the plan since the Temple Stakes. We thought we’d take in Ascot and that went terribly wrong (withdrawn at the start). Then we felt we needed a run in between the Temple Stakes and the Nunthorpe, so squeezed in Ireland. That was a big run in Ireland – very happy with her. I just think the very slick nature of York, flat track, hopefully fast ground is exactly what she wants.

“We’re really excited about her. Touch wood, she’s in good nick – she’s a definite runner as long as the ground stays good or faster and she’s been training really well.”

Qilin Queen bounced back to form to win a Group Two in France last time out and is a possible for the Pertemps Network Yorkshire Oaks.

“She went to France and put in a huge effort that day,” said Walker. “I’ve given her plenty of time to freshen up. She’s just starting to show a spring in her step. We’re not hellbent on the Yorkshire Oaks but if it’s fast ground and she’s bucking and squealing, then we’ll have a go.”

Ten Bob Tony is another with a Group One entry in the newly upgraded Sky Bet City of York Stakes but he is ground dependent.

“He needs good ground or softer. He’s a horse who goes very well fresh – his best races are off the back of a break. He’ll go where the ground’s right.” said Walker.

Royal Fixation will attempt to give Walker back-to-back wins in the Lowther
Royal Fixation will attempt to give Walker back-to-back wins in the Lowther (Joe Giddens/PA)

One who is a definite runner is the filly Royal Fixation, who beat all bar the classy Venetian Sun in the Duchess of Cambridge at Newmarket.

Walker said: “It’s been the plan since Newmarket. We’ve always thought she’s very good. We’ve just been patient with her and the Lowther seems the perfect fit for her. She’s training great. She’s very quick, very talented and I think York will really suit her. Hopefully we’ve got a live chance with her.”

Do Or Do Not has the Tattersalls Acomb Stakes on his radar.

Staya firmly on course for Lowther test

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George Scott is relishing unleashing his star juvenile Staya in the Sky Bet Lowther Stakes at York after going close at Ascot last time.

The Dragon Stakes scorer found only Hugo Palmer’s Fitzella too strong in her first try at six furlongs in the Princess Margaret Stakes, but her Newmarket handler is confident the youngster is “near the top of the class”, with the Knavesmire Group Two the obvious next step.

“We were very pleased with Staya. She ran another great race, took another step forward and is going to head to the Lowther – all roads lead to York,” said Scott.

“It’s a slightly easier six furlongs and hopefully we can get away cleaner from the gate this time and it will certainly be a race we are looking forward to with her.

“You feel like you would be overcomplicating things by going elsewhere and she’s near the top of the class in her division and let’s see how she gets on, it should be the prefect track for her.”

While Staya is fully on course for a trip to the Ebor Festival, Scott is keen to see rain on the forecast before deciding if Bay City Roller will return to Yorkshire to take up his engagement in the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes.

He was slowly away when contesting the York Stakes on his most recent outing, something which ultimately put paid to any chance of victory in a red-hot event.

However, Scott is unperturbed as he stresses ground conditions could ultimately determine the son of New Bay’s next move.

“If you look at the bare result you could be disappointed, but he got left six lengths in the gate and you can’t do that in any race,” continued Scott.

“He got himself tangled up and jumped out awkwardly and got detached, but at the end of the day he’s finished almost upsides the other three-year-olds.

“So obviously you would be disappointed with the finishing result, but I think the horse is certainly much better than that.

“If it was to rain at York he would run (in the Great Voltigeur) and he won’t run again until we get the right conditions. It was a bit of a blot on his scorecard, but nothing to worry about.”

Racing Bulletin for 07/08/2025

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Today's Racing

Click on course names to view our course guides. Click on race times to access that racecard. Times highlighted in yellow are free races of the day.

Brighton

Good

 14:10 14:40 15:10 15:40 16:10 16:43
Nottingham

Good

 14:20 14:50 15:20 15:50 16:20 16:55
Chelmsford

Standard / Slow

 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:00
Sligo

Good to Yielding

 17:05 17:35 18:05 18:35 19:05 19:35 20:05
Leopardstown

Good

 17:20 17:53 18:23 18:53 19:23 19:53 20:25
Chepstow

Good

 17:30 18:00 18:30 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:30
Sandown Park

Good

 17:45 18:15 18:45 19:15 19:45 20:20

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Meade confirms appeal against Galway Hurdle verdict

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Noel Meade has confirmed he has lodged an appeal against the demotion of Helvic Dream from first place in last week’s Galway Hurdle.

Meade’s eight-year-old was first past the post, getting the better of the Gordon Elliott-trained Ndaawi by a head, only for the stewards to reverse the placings, ruling interference between the pair had affected the result.

Speaking at Sligo on Wednesday, Meade said: “We put an appeal in yesterday and it’s up on Tuesday, so we’ll see what happens.

“Despite what everyone seems to think, every video I look at seems to suggest that Jack (Kennedy, on Ndaawi) got every chance to win the race and didn’t go through with it as much as anything else.

“He was leaning on my lad as much as my lad was leaning on him.”

Arlington Million trip with Cairo has Haynes in dreamland

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Alice Haynes hopes Cairo can continue riding on the coattails of his brilliant third at Royal Ascot when challenging for the Arlington Million on Saturday.

The five-year-old son of American multiple Grade One winner Quality Road will be making a maiden trip Stateside for the historic mile-and-a-quarter contest, which is now held at Colonial Downs.

Cairo – who was behind only then-stablemate Paddington in the Irish 2,000 Guineas when trained by Aidan O’Brien – was best of the rest at 100-1 as Docklands narrowly defeated Rosallion in the Queen Anne Stakes at the Royal meeting.

Having already faced high-calibre fields this season, Cairo will add to that list by taking on 2024 Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan in Virginia.

“Going into Royal Ascot, I did feel the horse was as well as we’ve ever had him,” Haynes told her yard sponsor, Coral.

“He was absolutely flying at home so I had high hopes he would run a big race, but even so, to finish third in a field of that quality did surprise me, in the best possible way obviously!

“I’d always thought that coming to America would suit him, and having discussed it with the owner, going into Ascot we very much had it in our minds.

“He still needed to run a big race at Ascot to make the trip viable, but of course he produced that big run.

“The team from Colonial Downs were at the track that day and chatting to them after the Queen Anne really did make up our mind to come here.”

Haynes has now set her sights on rewarding her stable star, who arrived in New York last week before an eight-hour journey to Virginia, with a couple of lucrative races in the United States before returning home.

“He’s an old pro now when it comes to travelling, so he’s taken it all in his stride and acclimatised well,” Haynes added.

“The temperature is cooler than it was here last week apparently so while it’s still warm, it’s more comfortable for him now.

“He had a couple of canters on the dirt when he first got here and his latest piece of work has been on the turf, under his big-race pilot Ben Curtis.

“Ben actually contacted us when he saw we were running the horse over here and I think he will be a really good fit for the horse.

“He’s obviously got plenty of experience riding European horses, but he’s been in America long enough now to have the local knowledge as well, which I think could be really important in a race like this.

“We’re under no illusions about the task we face though, and realistically, finishing in the first three would be a tremendous achievement.

“The plan after this weekend is to send him down to Keeneland to be based with Ed Vaughan and aim him at a richly-endowed race at Kentucky Downs.

“It is just so exciting to be involved in a big international race like this, it really is what we have worked so hard to achieve.”

Crystal aiming to sparkle with Ballyroan repeat

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Gerard Keane hopes a successful defence of the Tote Ballyroan Stakes at Leopardstown on Thursday can open further doors for Crystal Black.

The seven-year-old was unbeaten in all four starts last year, which saw the son of Teofilo triumph in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot before impressively landing this race by five lengths for his maiden Pattern win.

Crystal Black made a return to action in the Alleged Stakes in April, finishing seven lengths adrift of Galen in fourth to end his winning streak.

He subsequently underwent a wind procedure and Keane is looking forward to his stable star kick-starting his 2025 campaign, as he lines up a tilt at the final Irish Classic of season next month.

“He’s coming along, he had a little bit of a hobday,” Keane said.

“So he’s coming along well, we are happy with his work and as good as we can have him without a run. He’s probably 90 per cent so it’s a nice little race to start him back with. As long as he runs a nice race, we’ll be happy.

“He’s got an entry in the (Irish) Leger, so that is the plan if we think he is good enough to run in that, but that’s in a month’s time.

“That’s the plan – Ballyroan, the Leger – and then after that we will see what’s happening then.”

Six-time Irish champion jockey Colin Keane is aboard for his father in the Group Three contest over a mile and a half.

Sons And Lovers goes for Joseph O’Brien, the Noel Meade-trained Group-winning Layfayette also starts and Jessica Harrington has entered Sea The Boss.

Johnny Murtagh’s Siege Of Troy and This Songisforyou, trained by Emmet Mullins, complete the six-runner line-up.

Golden Eagle swoop in the pipeline for globetrotting Luther

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Charlie Fellowes’ star Luther is set to add another destination to his global-trotting Pattern quest with the Golden Eagle in Sydney.

The three-year-old Frankel colt celebrated victory, albeit through the stewards’ room, in the Grade Two National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes at Saratoga in America on Friday, which came just four weeks after taking place honours in the Belmont Derby at the same venue.

Now, the Bedford House handler is seeking to emulate the success of the William Haggas-trained Lake Forest at Rosehill in Australia, following a stint back at home and a potential run in the Group Two Park Stakes at Doncaster on St Leger day.

“He couldn’t have taken it any better,” Fellowes said on Wednesday. “He’s on his way home and will be back tonight. Really proud of him.

“He ran third in a Grade One over there and the form’s worked out really well. The first and second in the Belmont Derby were first and third in the Saratoga Derby, so that form looks strong and he beat some good European horses in the process.

“Then we went and won, slightly controversially, but I think anyone watching that race saw how messy it was and I think if we had a relatively smooth trip it would have been a really, really good race between us and probably the best turf three-year-old horse in America (Zulu Kingdom).

“He’s coming home, but at the moment, the potential plan is to head to the Golden Eagle down in Sydney. It’s a A$10million (£4.89m) race, seven and a half furlongs, he has so much speed, I’ve got no problem with the seven and a half with him.

“His part-owner lives in Singapore so that makes sense, so that’s very much our end-of-season target. He’s probably done enough now to get a slot in that race.

“Whether he has a run here before then as a little prep run, not quite sure yet. I put him in the Park Stakes at Doncaster, so that could be a goer.”

Shes Perfect is another leading light in the Fellowes yard.

However, the Sioux Nation filly – who unfortunately for her connections suffered contrasting fortunes in the stewards’ room when relegated from first place in the French 1,000 Guineas – will not be seen again until next year.

Fellowes said: “She’s absolutely good as gold, but she’s finished for the year.

“She’s sound, which is the most important thing, but X-rays we took last week showed a definite small weakness in her right-hind fetlock which just needs a little bit of time to heal and the vets were concerned that if we pressed on, something a bit more significant could happen.

“It sounds very positive, it just needs time and they are very positive that she’ll be back next season where hopefully she can bag the Group One that she so deserves.

“It was just too risky. She’s had a long season anyway, she would probably have only had two more races I’d have thought.

“We’ve not missed out on loads, I’m gutted that we are not running in a Foret because that race would have absolutely suited her, but maybe that will wait until next year.

“She’s a lovely big filly, she’s only going to improve with age so next year should be great for her.”

Merchant route could encompass York or France

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The Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes at York or a trip to France for the Prix Niel have been identified as the possible next step for the exciting Merchant.

Trained by William Haggas for the Highclere Thoroughbred Racing syndicate, all connected remain on cloud nine after the son of Teofilo followed up his Royal Ascot triumph in a wet and gloomy Gordon Stakes at Goodwood and he will attempt to carry on climbing the middle-distance ladder once recovering from his exertions on the Sussex Downs.

“We’re all so thrilled and everyone is absolutely delighted. It was the most extraordinary day’s racing and we were just relieved he managed to get his nostril in front,” said Highclere’s Harry Herbert.

“He’s having a well-deserved quiet week now and then William will decide, as he sees how the horse has come out of the race, whether we go to the Voltigeur (August 20) or a race like the Prix Niel (September 7) in France.”

The last four Gordon Stakes winners have gone on to contest the St Leger but connections of Merchant were coy on the idea of the Doncaster Classic in the immediate aftermath of his Goodwood triumph.

The colt’s name was a notable omission from the entries for the Town Moor showpiece earlier this week, with his team confirming their initial thought process of remaining at a maximum of a mile and a half for the time being.

Herbert explained: “We have been talking together for some time and sometimes these things are not quite explicable, other than your own gut feeling and that of the trainer as well, and going a mile and six at this time of his career didn’t appear to be in the best interest of the horse going forwards.

Jockey Tom Marquand celebrates after winning aboard Merchant
Jockey Tom Marquand celebrates after winning aboard Merchant (Andrew Matthews/PA)

“Rightly or wrongly we have made that decision and we’ll see how we get on when he steps up another grade next time.”

The St Leger may have been shelved, but Merchant’s Gordon Stakes triumph ignited dreams of a greater prize in the autumn, with the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe now firmly coming into sight.

Currently without an entry for Europe’s richest middle-distance prize, Merchant still has to convince all associated to stump up the €120,000 required to supplement, but a strong showing in his next outing could see the Highclere team embarking on a voyage to the French capital on October 5.

“When the entries closed for the Arc it would have been absolutely ridiculous as I think he was rated 82 at the time and it’s not something you can enter willy-nilly,” added Herbert.

Tom Marquand aboard Merchant shakes hands with Harry Herbert at Royal Ascot
Tom Marquand aboard Merchant shakes hands with Harry Herbert at Royal Ascot (John Walton/PA)

“But having said that, we think the Arc must not be dismissed and, as the fast-improving three-year-old he is, you never know. If it’s not right he won’t run, but if it is and he’s won a Voltigeur or a Prix Niel, then we would absolutely consider it.

“Every race now is exciting and when I looked at him, even in that appalling weather at Goodwood, as he was going round the parade ring before the Gordon, you could see a significant change since Ascot and I think there is significant progression to come.

“He’s in the most capable hands with William and his team and we will keep everything crossed. We’re looking forward to the next step wherever he goes and wherever William thinks is the best option having had that very hard race at Goodwood.”

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