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

Seagulls Eleven flies home for Thoroughbred triumph

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Hugo Palmer’s Seagulls Eleven bagged the big-race victory he has long promised in the Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes at Goodwood.

A son of the trainer’s 2000 Guineas hero Galileo Gold, Seagulls Eleven is owned by several current and former Brighton & Hove Albion footballers, including James Milner and Danny Welbeck.

After breaking his duck at Haydock last summer, the three-year-old went on to run with credit in the Superlative Stakes, the National Stakes and the Dewhurst before the end of his juvenile campaign and his best race since his return came when second to Opera Ballo in a Newmarket Listed race three weeks ago.

With Opera Ballo a significant non-runner in this Group Three contest, Seagulls Eleven was one of just four runners to go to post and after taking an early lead under Oisin Murphy, the 11-4 shot found plenty for pressure late on to score by three-quarters of a length from Diego Ventura.

Palmer said: “He can be a handful to saddle but not in a nasty way, he has a kind look in his face and is genuinely versatile.

“Last year he had to run in the Group Ones and ran with great credit, but it’s taken a while for him to get his confidence back.

“Today when they came to him, he had the guts to go and get the job done.

“He’s been invited to the Golden Eagle in Australia and there are 10 million reasons why he should go for that, but first we might give him another at home. It might be that we have to supplement into the Celebration Mile and he’s not in the City of York.”

Diego Ventura is owned by Wathnan Racing, whose racing adviser Richard Brown said: “He has arguably run a career-best race. He was just getting going and Oisin has slightly rolled off the rail on the winner and it has cost him a little bit of momentum, but I don’t think it has made a difference to the result.

“We will talk to Hamad (Al Jehani, trainer) and the team but he is strongest at the line and we will probably try up in trip.”

Richard Hannon’s King Of Cities was the third-placed horse when beaten a length and a quarter under Ryan Moore, with the trainer saying: “He looked like he didn’t help Ryan much to me. It was disappointing not being beaten far.

“There are big races in him but he looks a bit flat-footed sometimes. Ryan thought it might have helped if he had gone on a bit, but they were probably going a good enough gallop if he wanted to. For me, he just does enough.”

Irish 2,000 Guineas runner-up Cosmic Year finished last of the four runners with Colin Keane reporting: “I would say the ground was a little bit against us.

“He relaxed and travelled round nicely but, when we needed him, he wasn’t able to, and I didn’t think we got to the line very strong.

“I would be inclined to come back to seven furlongs. I wouldn’t even rule out a stiff six on nicer ground, where they go hard and you can ride a race on him. Hopefully, he will hit the line better. Today he felt straightforward, it felt like he tried, it just felt like the trip was stretching him.”

Term Of Endearment out for Lillie Langtry repeat

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Last year’s winner Term Of Endearment returns to Goodwood, albeit for new connections, for Saturday’s Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes.

Having previously won twice at Group Three level, the six-year-old bagged this Group Two prize 12 months ago for Henry de Bromhead before being sold for 1.3 million guineas at Tattersalls in December.

She has failed to add her tally since joining William Haggas for her new owner Zhang Yuesheng, but was only beaten a head by Scenic in the Bronte Cup at York on her penultimate start and was just over two lengths behind veteran stayer Coltrane in Sandown’s Coral Marathon four weeks ago.

“She obviously won the race last year but we didn’t have her then,” said Haggas.

“She seems fine, she’s a nice filly and the drop of rain would suit her.

“It might have been good to firm when she won last year, but in our experience with her, she’d be suited by the drop of rain.”

Term Of Endearment’s rivals include Goodie Two Shoes, who has won her last three races for Joseph O’Brien and JP McManus, while John and Thady Gosden saddle both Sueno and Danielle and Owen Burrows sends out Waardah, winner of a Listed event at this track in early June.

O’Brien said of his runner: “It looks a nice race but we are a little worried about the rain so we’ll be taking a watching brief on that, but she’s in good shape and has prepared well for the race.

“Since coming back to the Flat she has really taken her form to another level over staying distances and we’ll be trying to make her a Group Two winner after winning a Group Three last time.”

Haggas also saddles the defending champion in the Group Three Coral Glorious Stakes in Al Aasy, as well as six-time winner Candleford.

He added: “Hopefully Al Aasy will run a good race in it again. He won it last year so we know he acts on the track, which is not always a given.

“Candleford won’t run if it is soft, so it depends how soft it is.”

In the same race Charlie Appleby is represented by one-time Classic contender Arabian Crown, who finished third behind stablemate El Cordobes in the Group Two Princess of Wales’s Stakes at Newmarket on his first start since being gelded.

Speaking on the Godolphin website, Appleby said: “Arabian Crown put up a pleasing effort in the Princess of Wales’s Stakes and came out of the race well.

“The ground was quick enough at Newmarket and he should enjoy the slower conditions here.”

Get It back to defend Stewards’ Cup title for Baker

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George Baker will be the proudest man on the Sussex Downs when his star sprinter Get It defends his Coral Stewards’ Cup crown at Goodwood on Saturday.

The seven-year-old blazed a trail for a shock 40-1 success 12 months ago and after a similar story in the Wokingham Stakes at Royal Ascot when again making all, the speedster is out to continue his rich vein of form off a career-high mark.

“I didn’t think we would win a Wokingham off 100 and do I think we will win a Stewards’ Cup off 104? Well it’s a massive ask,” said Baker on the task at hand.

“But these sprinters, when they get in a good place and it’s their time, you just have to roll with them.

“It’s such a dull cliché but he genuinely owes us nothing. To saddle him with a Stewards’ Cup and Wokingham already under his belt is a massive thrill and privilege, but if he could add another chapter it would be extraordinary.”

Goodwood was hit with a deluge on Thursday, but Baker is praying for drying conditions ahead of Saturday’s feature event to allow his thriving speedball to notch another notable success.

“I hope we don’t see any more rain until Saturday evening and he enjoys it when it’s rattling fast, so he’ll be fine on good ground but we don’t want it soft,” continued Baker.

Get It after winning at Goodwood last year
Get It after winning at Goodwood last year (Andrew Matthews/PA)

“There’s nothing we can do about the weather though and we’ll take our chances unless it will be really horrible.

“The higher we go up the handicap, the closer we are to running in Group races and we’re on the cusp of that now. It will be tough but a sprinter in a good place can be a potent force.”

Joining Get It towards the top of the betting markets is Kevin Ryan’s Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes runner-up Hammer The Hammer and William Haggas’ Elmonjed, who is out to defy a 6lb penalty after landing a competitive heat at York only last Saturday.

Haggas said: “It’s not ideal running him under the penalty. He was only put up 3lb yet he’s carrying 6lb more here.

“But he’s clearly in form, he loves a fast pace and I just hope we’re on the right side (stall eight).

“At the moment no one knows where you want to be. Nobody knows.

“I remember one year James Fanshawe never turned up for the draw, they put his horse (Zidane in 2007) back in the hat and gave him the last stall and he came out and won, so there are no rules.”

Another quickly returned to the track under a 6lb penalty after notable success last weekend is Richard Spencer’s Two Tribes, who has convinced his handler to try six furlongs once again after landing the International Handicap over seven at Ascot.

“He’s not got a bad draw, drawn high (25), and he’s fresh and well after his win last week,” said Spencer.

Two Tribes winning at Ascot
Two Tribes winning at Ascot (John Walton/PA)

“He’s run well over six furlongs before and this is a very big pot. The penalty last week ensured him a run and he came out of Ascot really well. I know I said we wouldn’t go for this race and run over six again, but we’re going to throw our hat in the ring on Saturday and hopefully he can run well.”

Two Tribes is part of a three-strong hand for the Newmarket trainer, with Spencer also calling upon Run Boy Run and experienced Group performer Twilight Calls.

Spencer said: “Run Boy Run has a high enough draw (19) hopefully and he’s going to have a visor on which is something I’ve been waiting to do on a run over six furlongs not seven. He’s got a good each-way chance and with the visor on, there could be some improvement from him.

“Hopefully Twilight Calls gets a good tow into the race and could run well as he did very well in the Wokingham off a higher mark and all three have got sort of chances.”

Willie Mullins says Thurles closure ‘a huge blow’ for Irish racing

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Willie Mullins has described the shock closure of Thurles racecourse as a “huge blow for Irish racing”.

The champion trainer has saddled more than 250 winners at the County Tipperary circuit, where the first ever recorded race meeting took place in 1732.

Thurles, Ireland’s only privately-owned racehorse, has been in the hands of the Molony family since the early 1900s, but in a statement released on Friday morning, Riona Molony confirmed the track is to close with immediate effect.

Mullins told the PA news agency: “It was a major shock this morning to hear the news. It will be a huge blow for Irish racing, more specifically Irish jump racing and winter jump racing.

“Thurles is a track that always had beautiful ground in the winter when other tracks couldn’t.

“It’s the last family-run track in Ireland, I believe. Pierce Molony ran it for years, his father ran it before him and Riona and family have run it since Pierce died and they’ve been fantastic for the Irish jump fraternity over the years.”

The late Pierce Molony took over the running of Thurles from his father Dr Paddy Molony in 1974, with his widow Riona and family leading operations since his death in 2015.

In a statement, Riona Molony said: “It has been an honour and a privilege for our family to have run Thurles Racecourse, and I am officially announcing our retirement today.

“We are very proud of the immense contribution our family has made to racing and we are most grateful to our extended racecourse family, our dedicated staff, generous sponsors, loyal patrons and the wider racing community for all your support.

“Horse racing is part of the fabric of our family, and we have been very fortunate to have made so many great friends within the industry over the years. My family and I look forward to going racing with you again, as spectators.

“Since my beloved husband Pierce passed away in 2015, with the help of our four daughters Patricia, Helen, Ann Marie and Kate and our wonderful staff, we’ve managed to keep the show on the road and I know he would be very proud of us for that.

“The girls all have their own families, careers and lives to live. Ever increasing industry demands and the cost of doing business has also been a major factor.

“We’re going to enjoy this time together and relax now the decision is made and the news is out before we consider our options.”

Although Thurles is licensed to race until December 31 and is scheduled to stage 11 fixtures in the 2025/26 Irish racing calendar, the Molony family have no plans to continue.

However, Mullins has not given up hope of racing again taking place at the track, adding: “I think we’ll be doing our best to see if there’s any way we can save the track for racing in Ireland.

“It will need a lot of local support. However, on the bigger scale, Irish winter jump racing needs it too I think.”

Thurles stages a number of high-profile races including the Horse and Jockey Hotel Chase, formerly known as the Kinloch Brae.

The Grade Two contest has an illustrious roll of honour, having been won by the likes of Native Upmanship, Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Newmill, Cheltenham Gold Cup heroes Don Cossack and Sizing John and the top-class Allaho, who won two Ryanair Chases, a John Durkan Memorial Chase and a Punchestown Gold Cup for Mullins.

Suzanne Eade, CEO of Horse Racing Ireland, said in a statement: “Thurles Racecourse has been a cornerstone of the National Hunt programme in Ireland during the winter months, and today’s news was a surprise to everyone in the industry.

“I am sure this announcement was a hugely difficult one for Riona Molony, and her daughters Patricia, Helen, Ann Marie and Kate, and I respect their decision to take a step back from running racing at Thurles.

“Riona’s husband Pierce contributed significantly to the Irish racing industry for many years and the Molony family, led by Riona, certainly stepped up following his untimely passing.

“I will be seeking a meeting with the Molony family in the near future to discuss their position.”

Thurles to close with immediate effect

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The owners of Thurles Racecourse have made the shock announcement that the Irish track is to close with immediate effect.

The first ever recorded race meeting at the County Tipperary circuit took place in 1732 and has been in the hands of the Molony family since the early 1900s.

The late Pierce Molony took over the running of Thurles from his father Doctor Paddy Molony in 1974, but Pierce’s widow Riona released a statement confirming the family’s decision to retire from racing.

She said: “It has been an honour and a privilege for our family to have run Thurles Racecourse, and I am officially announcing our retirement today.

“We are very proud of the immense contribution our family has made to racing and we are most grateful to our extended racecourse family, our dedicated staff, generous sponsors, loyal patrons and the wider racing community for all your support.

“Horse racing is part of the fabric of our family, and we have been very fortunate to have made so many great friends within the industry over the years. My family and I look forward to going racing with you again, as spectators.”

Although Thurles is fully licenced to race until December 31 and is scheduled to stage 11 fixtures in the 2025/26 Irish racing calendar, the Molony family have no plans to continue racing.

Riona Molony added: “Since my beloved husband Pierce passed away in 2015, with the help of our four daughters Patricia, Helen, Ann Marie and Kate and our wonderful staff, we’ve managed to keep the show on the road and I know he would be very proud of us for that.

“The girls all have their own families, careers and lives to live. Ever increasing industry demands and the cost of doing business has also been a major factor.

“We’re going to enjoy this time together and relax now the decision is made and the news is out before we consider our options.”

Thurles, which is Ireland’s only privately owned racecourse, stages a number of high-profile races including the Horse and Jockey Hotel Chase, formerly known as the Kinloch Brae.

The Grade Two contest has an illustrious roll of honour, having been won by the likes of Native Upmanship, Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Newmill, Cheltenham Gold Cup heroes Don Cossack and Sizing John and the top-class Allaho.

Racing Bulletin for 01/08/2025

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Latest News and Features

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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.

Goodwood

Soft

 13:20 13:55 14:30 15:05 15:45 16:20 16:55
Newcastle

Standard

 14:05 14:40 15:15 15:53 16:30 17:07
Southwell

Standard

 14:15 14:50 15:25 16:05 16:40 17:15 17:50
Galway

Soft

 17:00 17:30 18:00 18:35 19:10 19:40 20:10 20:40
Musselburgh

Good

 17:37 18:10 18:45 19:18 19:48 20:20 20:50
Newmarket

Good

 17:45 18:20 18:55 19:27 19:57 20:30
Bath

Good to Firm

 17:55 18:30 19:05 19:35 20:05 20:35

Today's Feature of the Day is...

Horses for Courses report

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Ndaawi awarded Galway Hurdle in dramatic circumstances

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Last year’s runner-up Ndaawi was called the winner of the Guinness Galway Hurdle after first past the post Helvic Dream was demoted by the stewards.

It is 20 years since trainer Noel Meade saddled his most recent winner of the Ballybrit highlight in More Rainbows but he had come close on several occasions since, while Ndaawi’s trainer Gordon Elliott had never won it previously.

Helvic Dream, a Group One winner on the Flat for Meade in the 2021 Tattersalls Gold Cup, was an 8-1 shot in the hands of Donagh Meyler and settled down to fight it out with the 13-2 shot Ndaawi and Jack Kennedy in the home straight.

However, the pair did come close together all the way up the run-in as both horses and jockeys gave their all, with Ndaawi short of room against the far rail, and while Helvic Dream passed the post a head in front the stewards felt the interference was significant enough to reverse the placings.

Elliott, completing a big-race double after landing Wednesday’s Galway Plate with Western Fold, said: “We have won most of the big handicaps so this is the race I wanted to win, although it is not a nice way to win.

“Noel is one of my greatest friends and there isn’t a day goes by that we don’t talk and we have great banter, but that’s the way it goes unfortunately.

“The stewards have their jobs to do, Jack said it straightaway after the race and I was talking to Ruby (Walsh) as well and he felt we would definitely get it.

“It is unbelievable to win the two big races here this week and the horses have all run well, I can’t believe it.”

Noel Meade intends to appeal the decision
Noel Meade intends to appeal the decision (Damien Eagers/PA)

On future plans for Ndaawi, the trainer added: “There is a $150,000 Flat race in America for him in October now.”

Meade later indicated he will appeal the decision.

He told Racing TV: “I didn’t think we’d lose it, considering the race and considering Jack didn’t have to stop riding.

“I do believe in my heart and soul it’s the wrong decision and I will appeal it.”

Gold Dancer reels in stablemate Westport Cove for Galway glory

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Gold Dancer wore down his front-running stablemate Westport Cove to claim an unlikely victory in the Guinness Open Gate Brewery Novice Chase at Galway.

Westport Cove was the 85-40 favourite for the Grade Three contest having opened his account over fences at Ballinrobe in late May and looked in control for much of the way under Paul Townend.

He still appeared the most likely winner after kicking clear of the faltering Pied Piper from the home turn, but the seven-year-old began to tire in the straight and Sean O’Keeffe produced 7-1 shot Gold Dancer with a well-timed challenge up the hill to emerge victorious by two and a half lengths.

Trainer Willie Mullins said: “Of my runners I thought Westport Cove would win, but Gold Dancer is by Doctor Dino, who is a horse we like, and Sean gave him a lovely cute ride. He let Paul do all the donkey work, had one crack at him and it all worked out

“Westport Cove basically races flat out so you just try to get a breather into him and while Paul thought he had enough breathers got, Gold Dancer is just improving. There is probably more improvement in him that the other horses we ran in the race.

“Today was the first time he showed me on the racecourse what we thought and think of him at home. We’ll go down the novice chase route with him now at the big festivals and hopefully he is good enough to go on to the Drinmore (at Fairyhouse) in December.”

British raider Tropical Island caused a 40-1 upset in the big Flat race of the afternoon – the Arthur Guinness Irish EBF Corrib Fillies Stakes under Luke McAteer.

Richard Fahey’s charge was well beaten on her most recent appearance at Pontefract, but was soon in front in this Listed event and had just enough in reserve to repel the fast-finishing Princess Child and Easy Mover in a thrilling three-way finish.

“They told me she’d stay and she stays bang on seven furlongs. The owners were adamant to keep her going, don’t let up (in front) and turning in she was pricking her ears and looking up at the stands, but she stuck at it well,” said McAteer.

“I knew I had Gavin (Ryan, on Easy Mover) beaten but thought Declan (McDonogh, on Princess Child) had done me at the line, but it was great to hold on.

“I spoke to Richard (Fahey) on the phone and he said to do as the owners wanted so I didn’t look back and she duly obliged. They wanted black type so it is great.

“That’s my first ride for Richard, I know the owners and they put me forward for the ride. The owners are from around Kilkenny and this is brilliant.”

Murphy so proud of Cercene and gallant Nassau effort

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Joe Murphy could hardly have been more proud of Cercene following her second-placed finish in a gruelling renewal of the Qatar Nassau Stakes at Goodwood.

A deluge of rain turned the ground heavy and lightning in the area made it impossible for the starting stalls to be utilised, with a flag start instead required in the exceptionally challenging conditions.

Aidan O’Brien’s Whirl, the 6-5 favourite, justified that status with a five-length win, but behind her was 11-1 shot Cercene under rider Gary Carroll.

Murphy has often sought quick ground for the chestnut, who won the Coronation Stakes at 33-1 on good to firm at Ascot, but in torrential rain she showed just how tough she is with an admirable run in second, on her first try at a mile and a quarter.

“We were delighted with the filly, Gary said she was wheel-spinning on the ground and she still ran a great race,” said Murphy.

“We do know she needs good ground but just she’s just sheer courage, she’s a wonderful thing.

“She’s unbelievable, she really is. No words can describe how genuine and honest and tough she is. She loves life.

“She gets the trip no problem, but I think we’ll go back for the Matron (Stakes, over a mile at Leopardstown) and hope the ground is good.

“She’s the best filly I’ve ever trained and I’ve had some really good fillies.

“She just comes out on top, you could see for yourself the courage. Pure courage. I am proud, I’m proud of everyone. I’m proud of myself as well!”

On whether he considered withdrawing her when the rain fell so heavily, the trained quipped: “When you look at the prize pot and see the cheque you could get… we need the money!”

Andrew Balding’s See The Fire was the third-placed horse at 5-2 under Oisin Murphy, beaten six and a quarter lengths in total.

“Conditions weren’t ideal obviously, but who is to say we would have beaten the winner anyway?” said the trainer.

“She didn’t have a terribly hard time and seemed OK afterwards. We will kick on to York for the Juddmonte International.”

Wonderful Whirl powers to Nassau Stakes glory

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Aidan O’Brien’s Whirl dominated the Qatar Nassau Stakes at Goodwood, to record her second Group One success of the season.

The previous race, the Gordon Stakes, was subject to a small delay due to a torrential downpour and when almost 30 millimetres of rain fell in half an hour, the going was changed to heavy.

With lightning in the area, too, the starting stalls were deemed too dangerous to use and following a flag start Ryan Moore took the bull by the horns and sent the Oaks runner-up into the lead.

The Musidora and Pretty Polly winner, who lost out only narrowly at Epsom to stablemate Minnie Hauk, was always in control and while See The Fire briefly looked a threat, Moore had saved plenty and Whirl pulled five lengths clear as the 6-5 favourite. Cecerne, a surprise winner of the Coronation Stakes, kept on well for second on her first run over 10 furlongs.

O’Brien said: “It’s incredible really, she’s a home-bred filly by Wootton Bassett who has all the options in front of her. She could go to the Arc, the Arc trials, and the Breeders’ Cup as well.

Derrick Smith congratulates Ryan Moore aboard Whirl
Derrick Smith congratulates Ryan Moore aboard Whirl (PA)

“In the spring when the fillies worked it was Whirl who came up in front. Minnie Hauk is a great traveller, a great cruiser, and we won’t see the best of her until she goes up in class against older horses.

“Even when she was following this filly at Epsom she was finding it very easy to follow her, but listen, we don’t know what this filly is yet either. We saw what happened at Epsom, where Ryan (on Minnie Hauk) was very confident that he was going to go and get her but she just kept coming with him.

“When they do come together we will find out who is the best.”

Merchant sets sail for Gordon success at rain-soaked Goodwood

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Merchant pulled out all the stops to deny Wimbledon Hawkeye in a thrilling finish to the HKJC World Pool Gordon Stakes in attritional conditions at a gloomy Goodwood.

An impressive winner in the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot, William Haggas’ improving son of Teofilo was sent off the 6-5 favourite to enhance his growing reputation with a Group Three success.

With the threat of lightning meaning a flag start it was Gary and Josh Moore’s Too Soon who led them along, with the Highclere Thoroughbreds-owned market leader among those held up at the rear of the field along with Aidan O’Brien’s Galveston and Andrew Balding’s recent Sandown winner Windlord.

With the runners edging over to the stands side with the two-furlong pole approaching, it appeared as though James Owen’s Wimbledon Hawkeye would take some reeling in, but Merchant’s jockey Tom Marquand had a brave ally when he needed him, with the colt bridging the deficit to register a nose verdict in the nick of time.

Whether it proves to be at home or abroad, exciting options now await for Merchant, who was bred by Jim Bolger. Doncaster or Paris appears to be the discussion to be had regarding the autumn.

Haggas said: “Tom said he didn’t enjoy the ground, but he kept going and that’s what I like about him the most.

“His temperament is brilliant, he doesn’t give a monkey’s about anything. That is one of his great attributes for the future.

Tom Marquand celebrates after winning the Gordon Stakes
Tom Marquand celebrates after winning the Gordon Stakes (Andrew Matthews/PA)

“They all had to cope with the conditions, it was going to be messy whatever happened with the flag start. He’s only won a nose and James’ horse ran a fabulous race.

“He really dug in well, he’s a very good horse. Desert Hero won this race and then ran in the St Leger and I don’t think he was ever quite the same afterwards.

“I’m worried about stretching this horse out to a mile and six too soon, I think he is really a horse for next year, too. We think he’s very good.

“However, if he didn’t like the ground there then he may not like the ground in France in autumn. I’m not saying the Arc is definitely not going to happen, but it’s not definitely not going to happen either.”

Merchant toughed it out
Merchant toughed it out (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Highclere’s Harry Herbert added: “I’m not sure we’ll go for the Leger, the plan – so long as he comes out of this race fine – is to go to York (Great Voltigeur Stakes)

“We’ll see how that goes, if York went well and we had good ground at York we’d see what this horse can do on perfect ground.

“Tom said he was spinning his wheels the whole way, it’s extraordinary that he’s won. If he happened to go through York OK then the trainer has talked more about the Arc, which is quite bold.

“He’s worried about going a mile and six as a three-year-old, he sees him as having a very big future. He’s a master with this type of horse.”

Day three of Goodwood hit by torrential rain

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The third day of the Qatar Goodwood Festival was hit by a huge downpour, leaving racegoers running for cover.

After the first two days took place in pleasant weather, the forecast always suggested conditions on day three could take a turn for the worse.

The first race passed on good to firm ground, but as the runners gathered at the start for race two, the Markel Richmond Stakes, the storm clouds were gathering.

As Clive Cox’s Coppull crossed the line in front, the heavens had opened and an almighty downpour ensued.

It took no time at all for puddles to form in the paddock and clerk of the course Ed Arkell took the decision to call a temporary halt to proceedings.

After a 20 minute dousing, the rain began to ease off and the meeting was allowed to get back under way. However, with lightning in the area the Gordon Stakes was started by flag, rather than stalls.

There was also a delay to the feature Qatar Nassau Stakes with the course keen for the day’s main attraction to begin via starting stalls, with Arkell telling ITV Racing: “We’ve had 26mm in 20 minutes or so and we’ll make a ground change and it will probably be heavy.

Racegoers ducking for cover at Goodwood
Racegoers ducking for cover at Goodwood (Andrew Matthews/PA)

“We might have a delay to the Group One while they get the lightning out of the way so they can use the stalls with it being a Group One. It’s very important for the integrity of the race but it’s a decision for the stewards, the starters, the jockeys and myself.

“If we can possibly use starting stalls by holding a race up by five minutes or so that would be great.

“Your guess is as good as mine as to how much more rain is to come, there’s some more about and we weren’t forecast this, but I’m not sure the forecast is that reliable at the moment.”

Coppull braves Goodwood downpour in Richmond Stakes

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Clive Cox won the Markel Richmond Stakes for the third time in seven years as Coppull ran out a comfortable winner at Goodwood, in a race run in torrential rain.

Following on from Golden Horde in 2019 and Supremacy 12 months later, Cox bided his time with the son of Bated Breath after a meritorious run at Royal Ascot.

He finished third behind Gstaad in the Coventry Stakes there and paid the winner a handsome compliment, always looking in control under David Probert.

Aidan O’Brien’s Puerto Rico finished second for the third race in a row, but never looked like getting on terms with the two-length winner.

Eve Johnson Houghton’s Havana Hurricane was last at the halfway stage and while he did make plenty of progress, his run eventually flattened out and he finished third.

Cox said: “I was worried about soft ground because he’s got such a beautiful action on a nice surface. He’s very quick and did that really well.

“I’m still not sure he’ll go on really soft ground so if we’d been in the next race it would have been harder work, but he’s still very good and he showcased that today.

“I think he’s very gifted and he’s a proper six-furlong horse so usual plans from here, Middle Park will be the end goal.”

O’Brien said of Puerto Rico: ‘‘I’m very happy with that. It was a lovely run and I’d say he’d be happy going up to seven furlongs.”

Johnson Houghton felt the rain had already got into the ground, blunting Havana Hurricane’s speed.

She said: “The ground was just a bit loose and that impacted on his turn of foot, but he’s run a lovely race.

“I’m really pleased, the horse in front is rated 102 and the horse in front of him is rated 104 – we’ve turned the form around with Maximised so I’m happy.

“He tries really hard, he’s an absolute legend and we love him.”

Five jockeys involved in light aircraft drama

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Five jockeys based in the north of England were involved in a dramatic emergency landing on Thursday, after the light aircraft they were travelling in to Goodwood suffered what is thought to have been an engine problem.

Rowan Scott, Callum Rodriguez, PJ McDonald, Tom Eaves and Jack Garritty were flying from Bagby Airfield near Thirsk in North Yorkshire when the pilot was forced to turn back.

Scott’s agent Niall Hannity said: “They set off from Bagby and something went wrong with the plane so they started to get a bit panicky, as you can imagine.

“The pilot, who has 25 years’ experience, said nothing like it had ever happened to him but they were able to get turned round and land back at Bagby, which must have been frightening.

“The main thing is they got back down and they are all safe now.

“Rowan was sending me messages in the air asking me to let John Quinn and Alice Haynes know he wouldn’t be able to ride their horses today and I was telling him not to worry about that in the grand scheme of things!”

He added: “It was Rowan’s first time in a private plane – he said it’s also his last.”

To make matters worse for Scott, Haynes’ Naana’s Sparkle (15-2) went and won the Buccellati Handicap under his substitute Charles Bishop.

Haynes said: “Poor Rowan was upset he couldn’t make it. He sounded quite shook up. Thank God they are all OK. I think the engine failed after they had gone 20 minutes.’’

Asfoora carrying plenty of stable confidence for second crack at Goodwood sprint

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Henry Dwyer is confident Australian ace Asfoora is in the perfect place to secure King George Qatar Stakes redemption after being agonisingly denied at the Qatar Goodwood Festival 12 months ago.

The Antipodean speedster stuck around on British soil after her famous Royal Ascot win in the King Charles III Stakes last year and although out of luck at this year’s Royal meeting, her team are confident of bettering last year’s short-head defeat on Friday.

Dwyer said: “The conditions of the race are a lot more suitable this year and she has a bit less weight without the Group One penalty she had last year and the main opposition, Time For Sandals and Big Mojo, both have quite a bit of weight for their age and are dropping back from six furlongs to five furlongs.

“So I think the race sets up well for us, it’s just a case of whether she can find her best and if she finds it, I think she goes very close to winning and if she’s for some reason a length or two below her best, I still think she will still be right there.

“She’s nice and relaxed again after Ascot and we gave her two weeks out in the paddock after that to help her settle in a bit more and she seems in a good space.

“I think there’s definitely more to come and I do think she will improve again in three weeks’ time for York, but she’s on an upward curve and is going the right way and hopefully she is in very good shape for this race.”

It was Mick Appleby’s Big Evs who denied Asfoora in this last year and the Rutland handler, who has formed a great friendship with his Australian counterpart, looks to be a thorn in Dwyer’s side once again with July Stakes runner-up and course and distance scorer Big Mojo.

Big Mojo excelled at Goodwood last year
Big Mojo excelled at Goodwood last year (Andrew Matthews/PA)

“He’s in great order and hopefully we can go and win the race again,” said Appleby.

“He’s got plenty of pace and I think at Goodwood it will definitely suit him dropping back to five furlongs and on form he should have a very good chance.

“Asfoora is probably the one to beat, but I think we will be thereabouts anyway.”

Joining Big Mojo in reverting back to five furlongs is Time For Sandals who was one half of Harry Eustace’s memorable Royal Ascot Group One double when landing the Commonwealth Cup.

Time For Sandals was a Royal Ascot scorer for Harry Eustace
Time For Sandals was a Royal Ascot scorer for Harry Eustace (John Walton/PA)

However, like Appleby, the Newmarket handler has few concerns about the shorter distance and said: “The big question mark is obviously going back to a sharp five for her having won over a stiff six at Ascot.

“Personally, I don’t think it will be a problem and Richard (Kingscote) is pretty positive she’ll be fine over it too, but if we’re going to find her out this year it will be in this race.”

Also expected to thrive on one of the fastest five-furlong tracks in the country is Karl Burke’s Night Raider who is backed to showcase his blistering cruising speed.

“When we were buying him I always thought this was the race for him,” said Richard Brown, racing adviser for owners Wathnan Racing.

“He’s very fast and Goodwood is a very quick five as we know. It didn’t work at Ascot for him, but I do think this will be right up his alley.”

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

Meanwhile Ed Walker’s Lowther Stakes winner Celandine will bid to make up for lost time after being kept on the sidelines in the first half of the season.

“It’s been a very frustrating year with her so far,” said Walker.

“The plan was to go to Newmarket for the Kilvington as a prep for the Commonwealth Cup. The form from the Lowther was obviously rock solid in the Commonwealth Cup with Time For Sandals winning, so it was pretty heartbreaking being sidelined with a throat infection which dragged on and on.

“We got her back for York in the Summer Stakes, she ran a big race. She was hassled all the way, which wasn’t ideal. She didn’t get the kind of easy lead she likes but still battled on well to finish third and proved that she’s trained on and she’s back.

“She had a good blow and she’ll come on a lot for that run. I’m not afraid to bring her back to five, so I think she’ll be a danger in a wide-open sprint division.”

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