Our ambassador offers her assessment of a spectacular revival of the Sussex Stakes on the second day of the Glorious Goodwood Festival, and shares her thoughts on the rest of the day's programme. It is hard to build a solid argument against Bow Echo, who is about to test his unbeaten streak in the Visit Qatar Sussex Stakes (4:10) at the Qatar Goodwood Festival on Wednesday. The George Boughey‑trained colt made a stunning impact when he captured the Guineas and then confirmed his class with a victory 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 speed and versatility that mark a true champion.
This will be Bow Echo's first encounter with older horses, but a favorable draw in stall four and an eight‑pound weight‑for‑age allowance give him a strong advantage. Those factors could see him become the fifth three‑year‑old to win this Group One race in the past ten years, a feat that would cement his reputation as a leading middle‑distance performer of his generation.
One rival who could potentially upset the balance in the Sussex Stakes is Godolphin’s Opera Ballo. The colt ran a determined race in the Queen Anne Stakes and has shown that he can stay on strongly when pressed.
Opera Ballo is a front‑running type, and the Goodwood track often favours horses that can dictate the pace from the front. If he manages to secure a prominent position early, he could prove a difficult opponent for Bow Echo, especially if the pace collapses and the race comes down to a sprint finish. Charlie Appleby’s Opera Ballo has been building an impressive résumé.
He captured the Group One Jebel Hatta in Dubai, then added a comfortable win over Field Of Gold, and followed that with a victory in the Summer Mile over Zeus Olympios at Sandown. These performances demonstrate his ability to handle a variety of distances and track conditions, making him a genuine threat in any top‑level contest.
Another contender worth mentioning is Aidan O’Brien’s Gstaad. The colt was Bow Echo’s runner‑up at the Royal Meeting and is known for his tenacity, often battling hard in the closing stages. However, Gstaad lacks the turn of foot that Bow Echo possesses, a shortcoming that could be decisive on the undulating Goodwood course, where a quick acceleration can be the difference between winning and finishing out of the placings.
Trainers Richard Hannon and Sean Levey also have promising runners this week, though none appear as compelling as Pershaada in the Group Three Veuve Clicquot Molecomb Stakes (3:35) on Wednesday. Pershaada, a daughter of Persian Force, has already proven herself over the course and distance, taking a novice win in May before stepping up to a major race at the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot. She finished a close second to Victorious, only two lengths behind, which earned her considerable respect and a solid form line heading into Goodwood. I would also love to see Rebecca Menzies claim a significant victory with her unbeaten colt Adonius.
He has been kept fresh after extending his unbeaten record in the Lily Agnes at Chester and possesses a turn of speed that could translate well to the mile‑and‑a‑half distance at Goodwood. Likewise, Archie Watson’s Flight Signal, who showed promise on debut but struggled in the Norfolk Stakes, could rediscover his early form if given the right trip. Flora Of Bermuda, after a disappointing Royal Ascot run, bounced back in the Group Three Summer Stakes at York and now targets the Rolls‑Royce Oak Tree Stakes (3:00) at Goodwood.
Trained by Andrew Balding, she has the benefit of a low draw and the confidence of a recent course win. If she can replicate her York performance, she could confirm her strong Newmarket form against rivals such as Sayidah Dariyan. Although she was only narrowly beaten in the Group One Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot, it remains to be seen whether she can sustain her speed over the longer seven‑furlong distance. Simon and Ed Crisford’s Zanthos also merits attention.
She displayed top‑class form over the same distance when she won the Group Two Rockfel Stakes at Newmarket last year. However, after a disappointing run in the Commonwealth Cup, she will be wearing a tongue‑tie for the first time, a change that could help her settle and deliver a better performance.
For those who follow racing on the go, never miss a story with the latest news, interviews, and features available on your mobile device. Stay updated and enjoy the thrill of the sport wherever you are. On a personal note, I’m hoping my husband Tom (Marquand) can secure a winning start on Wednesday in the Coral Rewards Shaker Handicap (1:50) aboard 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 at Chester against more seasoned competition.
The handicapper has left 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, who placed second at Newmarket last time out, draws stall 10, which is not ideal, yet he has previously won a large handicap over the same course and distance back in May.
He remains fairly treated despite a higher rating. Bobby Bennu, the likely favourite, represents top trainer Roger Varian but has not won on turf for a long period and has shown his best form on an artificial surface. With a three‑pound rise in his weight, the task becomes tougher, prompting me to look for value in Crimson Spirit.
Overall, the day promises a blend of established stars and emerging talent, each with a story to tell. Hollie Doyle was speaking to Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft, offering insights that underline the excitement and unpredictability that make Goodwood such a beloved fixture in the racing calendar.