Our ambassador shares her assessment of a spectacular renewal of the Sussex Stakes on the second day of the Glorious Goodwood Festival, and offers her perspective on the rest of the day's card. It is a tall order to mount a convincing argument against Bow Echo, who is set to defend his unbeaten record in the Visit Qatar Sussex Stakes (4:10) at the Qatar Goodwood Festival on Wednesday.
The George Boughey‑trained colt burst onto the scene with a brilliant Guineas triumph, then followed it up with a decisive win in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot last month. Since then he has continued to impress his connections in training, showing the kind of consistency that makes him a genuine contender.
This will be Bow Echo's first foray against older horses, but he benefits from a favorable draw in stall four and an eight‑pound weight‑for‑age allowance. Those factors enhance his chances of becoming the fifth three‑year‑old to capture this Group One race in the past ten years. His speed, turn of foot, and the way he handles the Goodwood straight all point to a strong performance. If there is any horse capable of upsetting the balance, it is Godolphin's Opera Ballo.
The colt produced a gritty run in the Queen Anne Stakes and appears well‑suited to a track that often rewards front‑runners. Charlie Appleby has built an impressive résumé for Opera Ballo, with a Group One victory in the Jebel Hatta in Dubai, a comfortable win over Field Of Gold, and a subsequent summer mile triumph with Zeus Olympios at Sandown. The combination of his proven class and his ability to stay on the pace could make him a genuine threat to Bow Echo's bid for glory. Aidan O'Brien's Gstaad, who finished second to Bow Echo at Royal Ascot, is a tough competitor known for his fighting spirit.
However, he lacks the explosive acceleration that Bow Echo possesses, which may prove decisive on the undulating Goodwood track where a quick burst can be the difference between winning and finishing out of the placings. Among the other notable entries, Richard Hannon and Sean Levey have strong contenders, though none stand out as much as Pershaada in the Group Three Veuve Clicquot Molecomb Stakes (3:35) on Wednesday. Pershaada, a daughter of Persian Force, is already a proven course and distance performer, having claimed a novice win in May before stepping up in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot. She finished a close second to Victorious in that race, demonstrating the form that commands respect in this field.
Rebecca Menzies' unbeaten Adonius also merits attention. The colt has been carefully managed since extending his unbeaten streak in the Lily Agnes at Chester, and he possesses a turn of foot that could see him excel over the mile distance. Likewise, Archie Watson's Flight Signal is looking to recapture the promise shown on debut after a disappointing run in the Norfolk Stakes; a return to form could make him a dark horse in the mix. Flora Of Bermuda, who rebounded from a Royal Ascot disappointment with a win in the Group Three Summer Stakes at York, is targeting the Rolls‑Royce Oak Tree Stakes (3:00) at Goodwood.
Trained by Andrew Balding, she will step up to seven furlongs with a favorable low draw. Her recent form, highlighted by a respectable effort in the Group One Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot, suggests she can handle the distance, though it remains to be seen if she will stay the extra furlong as comfortably as she did over six. Simon and Ed Crisford's Zanthos also possesses top‑class credentials at this distance, having captured the Group Two Rockfel Stakes at Newmarket last year.
However, after a lackluster performance in the Commonwealth Cup, she will be equipped with a tongue tie for the first time, a change that could help her regain composure and deliver a stronger run. For racing enthusiasts, staying updated with the latest news, interviews, and features on a mobile device is essential. The Sky Sports Racing app provides real‑time access to all the action.
On the personal side, I hope my husband Tom Marquand can secure a winning start in the Coral Rewards Shaker Handicap (1:50) when he partners William Haggas's promising colt Infraad. Infraad, a Pontefract novice winner, appears ready to step up to a mile and a half after a solid handicap debut against seasoned opposition at Chester a few weeks ago. The handicapper has kept him at a rating of 90, which could give him an edge over a competitive field that includes Harry Eustace's Nottingham performer Bay Royale, a son of New Bay who may benefit from a first‑time tongue tie. The closing HKJC World Pool Handicap (5:40) is wide open, but the booking of Ryan Moore on Crimson Spirit could prove decisive.
Dan and Claire Kubler's five‑year‑old, a good second at Newmarket in his last run, draws stall ten, a less than ideal position. Nevertheless, he won a sizable handicap over the same course and distance back in May and is being offered at a favorable rating, suggesting value for punters. Bobby Bennu, the likely favorite trained by Roger Varian, has not won on turf for some time and has shown his best form on an artificial surface.
A three‑pound rating increase makes his task more challenging, prompting me to look for value elsewhere, such as with Crimson Spirit. Overall, the Goodwood card offers a blend of established Group One talent and emerging prospects, each with storylines that could unfold dramatically. Hollie Doyle, speaking to Sky Sports Racing's Simon Mapletoft, highlighted Opera Ballo as the principal danger to Bow Echo, underscoring the depth of competition that makes the Sussex Stakes a must‑watch event for any racing fan.