James Doyle made the decisive call from three possible mounts when his stable, Wathnan Racing, capped an extraordinary Glorious Goodwood meeting with a win in the Coral Stewards' Cup aboard Evening Saigon. The victory added a glittering feather to the owners' cap, who have long set their sights on this prestigious handicap, and it also marked a second major handicap success this week for the Qatari‑born trainer Hamad Al Jehani. Al Jehani had already celebrated a big win earlier in the meeting when his horse Archivist captured the Golden Mile, a race in which Doyle had initially chosen a different runner. This time, however, the whole team could revel together as Evening Saigon crossed the line first.
Even though the betting public favoured higher‑priced entries at Thursday's draw, the race unfolded in favour of the 10‑runner Evening Saigon, who edged past Stratusnine by a short head. Jamie Spencer, riding Mitbaahy, made a strong late charge from the rear to finish third, only a head and a short head behind the winner, while Completely Random secured fourth place. "It has been a fantastic week," Doyle said after the race. "Last year I felt deflated after just one win, and we were all frustrated.
The message in the stable was that we needed to improve, and that includes me as well." He went on to explain the preparation that led to the victory: "We spent a lot of time this week analysing tactics, track position and other variables. Everyone back at the office, the trainers, the jockeys – Hamad has done an unbelievable job with this horse. He isn’t the easiest horse to ride; he tried to get away from me in the first few strides, but once we settled he was brilliant." Doyle described the race dynamics in detail: "We had the perfect set‑up.
Dark Thirty was right in front of me, so I could draft behind him without getting caught in traffic. I didn’t feel the need to push too hard for a Stewards' Cup, so I pulled him out before the final two furlongs and made a clean run home. I knew the second horse well – I rode him at York a few days earlier and he’s a very respectable runner – so the finish was a genuine tussle." He also praised Al Jehani and his team: "Hamad and his staff have now won the two biggest handicaps of the week. It’s a huge achievement for the whole operation." Al Jehani echoed the sentiment, adding: "I am thrilled for Evening Saigon and for everyone involved.
He ran well at Royal Ascot, and keeping him in the Stewards' Cup was the right call from management. This race is a key part of the season, and James gave the horse an outstanding ride." He continued, "Competing with the world’s elite trainers is never easy, but we are building a solid foundation with strong support from the owners. Our aim is to improve year after year and see Wathnan Racing more often in the winner’s enclosure." Wathnan’s racing adviser Richard Brown highlighted the collaborative effort: "James had a tough decision, but he was firm about riding Evening Saigon in the end. Hamad has delivered two of the toughest handicap victories of the year.
When these results happen, it’s a massive boost for Wathnan and what the stable stands for." Brown also lauded Al Jehani’s record: "If you look at Hamad’s statistics since he began training, they compare favourably with the top trainers in the country. He is a phenomenal horseman, a former top rider, modest yet highly skilled – he even competed in show‑jumping at a good level. His partnership with the team is exceptional, and pulling off this win is huge for everyone involved." In other Goodwood action, Goodie Two Shoes added another triumph to Joseph O'Brien and Dylan Browne‑McMonagle’s impressive weekend, capturing the Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes.
The JP McManus‑owned mare entered the race as an 8/1 chance, facing a strong finish from Santorini Star. Despite having to make up ground in the final 100 yards, the seven‑year‑old stretched her neck at the line to win by a nose. Goodie Two Shoes, who finished second in the Melbourne Cup in November, now looks likely to return to Australia for another shot at the iconic race after this Group Two success.
The jockey praised the filly: "She’s a lovely filly, improving with every run since she came back this year. She handled the quick ground beautifully and gave me a perfect split through the field. I was confident she would get closer to the leaders, and she delivered when it mattered most." He added, "I didn’t think I’d won at first – I saw Tom Marquand’s head over the line – but when I looked back at the camera she had her head down at the right moment. These silks are very special, and a big thank you to JP for giving me the ride.
She’ll have a great campaign for the rest of the season." Sir Anthony McCoy, speaking for McManus, reflected on the narrow margin: "I thought she hadn’t won, but Jason Weaver said she was right on the line. She got a good ride – Dylan Browne‑McMonagle is a mechanically correct jockey, similar to Ryan Moore, with that extra edge that makes the difference." He also hinted at future plans: "The Melbourne Cup is probably the main target. The owners will discuss it, but it’s the obvious goal.
She was second in the Melbourne Cup last year, and I think she would be well‑handicapped for the Galway Plate if she ran there. Winning races like this gives us confidence that she can make another run at the Cup." Overall, Goodwood delivered a weekend of memorable performances, with Wathnan Racing’s double‑handicap triumph and Goodie Two Shoes’ narrow Group Two victory underscoring the depth of talent across trainers, jockeys and owners.
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