Scandinavia proved once again why he is a cut above his peers by successfully retaining his Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup crown in a dazzling display at Goodwood. The son of Justify, trained by Aidan O'Brien, faced off against his familiar rival Trawlerman, a horse that had given him a memorable battle at the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot. The Sussex Downs provided a fitting backdrop for another epic showdown between the two stayers.
Sent out as the 6‑5 favourite, Scandinavia, ridden by the veteran jockey Ryan Moore, was never far behind the early leader, Trawlerman, who was under the guidance of William Buick. The race began with a touch of chaos when Amiloc, a horse trained by Ralph Beckett, broke loose at the start, causing Hector Crouch to be unseated. This early drama set the tone for a race that would be remembered for its unpredictability. As the field turned into the straight, Buick pushed Trawlerman forward, hoping to replicate the fierce duel they had enjoyed at Ascot.
However, Amiloc, still loose, cut across the two front‑runners, disrupting Trawlerman’s momentum at a crucial moment. The interference gave Scandinavia the opening he needed. Moore seized the chance, urging his mount to quicken, and Scandinavia surged ahead, pulling away with a decisive eight‑and‑a‑half‑length lead.
Trawlerman managed to hold on for second place, once again finishing behind his Ballydoyle rival, while Roger Varian’s Rahiebb rounded out the podium in third. After the race, O'Brien could hardly contain his enthusiasm.
"I’m delighted, I’m thankful to everyone around him. He’s a great horse, a real top stayer," he said, praising the colt’s cruising speed and his ability to relax while maintaining a strong rhythm. "Ryan told me that the moment he asks him for a run, he comes alive underneath him." Moore echoed the trainer’s sentiments, noting how the horse never lost stride.
"His stride never shortened; he just kept galloping all the way to the line – what more can you say? He loves fast ground, he’s a high‑class horse and I hope we have many more good days ahead," the jockey added. The race also sparked a series of reflections on the challenges of tackling the two‑and‑half‑mile distance at Goodwood.
O'Brien admitted that the team had been a little apprehensive before the event because they had never attempted the distance at this course before. "We were a bit worried coming to Ascot because we’d never done two and a half miles there, and you never know until you try it," he explained.
"But since Ascot, he’s really found the right way. It’s a great race to win, very prestigious." He also highlighted the quality of the competition.
"It’s great that Trawlerman turned up and that all the horses were there – that’s what we all want, win, lose or draw. We thought Trawlerman would make it, we were hoping Ryan could follow him as he did at Ascot. It was a simple question – was he good enough? The drama with Amiloc added a twist, but it was still a spectacular race on a fantastic track.
Going two miles gives you a chance to soak it all in and enjoy the spectacle." Looking ahead, O'Brien was optimistic about Scandinavia’s future. "He’s very sound, he loves what he’s doing and the lads love having him. When you get a horse that can race year after year, that’s what makes him special.
They’re hard to find, almost impossible. I imagine he’ll keep racing as long as he stays safe and sound," the trainer said. He went on to compare the colt with the legendary Yeats, a four‑time Gold Cup winner. "He could emulate Yeats – he’s a natural cruiser, easy to train, a great mind, and being by Justify gives him that perfect rhythm." Beyond the main event, the meeting produced other noteworthy performances.
Young jockey Kaiya Fraser delivered a masterful ride on the unbeaten Dr Rascal to claim the Coral Vintage Stakes. Fraser had earlier in the week been unseated from Oliver Cole’s colt after a loose horse clipped the reins, but he recovered quickly and showed remarkable composure at Goodwood. Navigating a tight gap on the inside of David Egan’s Pikachu, Fraser guided Dr Rascal to a half‑length victory over Aidan O’Brien’s Haffner at 13‑2 odds.
Fraser, who is only 23, spoke emotionally about the win. "It means everything – this is what we wake up for every morning.
I’ve put so much hard work in and I’m grateful to my agent, the owners, trainers and everyone who has helped me. Without them I wouldn’t be here," he said.
He also explained the horse’s temperament, noting that Dr Rascal needed a gentle push into the stalls because of a previous nervous experience, but once the race began he responded eagerly and delivered the result. Oliver Cole, whose father Paul Cole had previously won the same race three times, celebrated his first Group victory as a trainer. He praised Dr Rascal’s speed and pedigree, hinting at future targets such as the Dewhurst Stakes.
"We’ll probably look to the Dewhurst or something similar; he’s got class, speed, and a superb pedigree. It’s not just me – there’s a whole team at home that works hard, and I’m proud of them," Cole said. The stewards reviewed the finish and confirmed that Fraser and Dr Rascal had taken a legitimate gap on the inside, clearing any doubts about the result. Fraser concluded, "My horse slightly came off his line, I just had to straighten him up – it didn’t cause any interference.
I’m delighted – my first Group win, a Group Two on a very nice two‑year‑old. I’m looking forward to the future." Overall, the Goodwood meeting delivered drama, high‑class performances and a reaffirmation of Scandinavia’s status as a top‑class stayer.
With his soundness, cruising ability and the affection of his connections, the colt looks poised to continue adding to his impressive résumé, perhaps even matching the historic achievements of Yeats in the years to come.