Johnston and Fallon feature prominently at Goodwood

They joined forces to take the feature race - the listed Peter Willett Stakes - with 8/15 favourite Steeler.

It was the second leg of a treble for Fallon and meant Johnston nosed in front in his battle with Richard Hannon to land the Dick Hern Trophy.

Sorella Bella took to the front early on, Fallon happy to sit in behind. Two furlongs out, Tamayuz Star charged down the outside to take the lead.

Fallon urged on Steeler and the horse responded to record a comfortable three-quarter-length verdict.

Johnston, celebrating his 11th winner of the season at Goodwood, putting him one ahead of Hannon, who has been the track’s top trainer for each of the past four seasons, said: “I made the entry and everyone disagreed with me at home because they thought he should be going a mile.

“He probably should go a mile, but the plan had been to run in the Royal Lodge and he’s come here and had a race instead of doing a serious gallop. I would imagine the Royal Lodge would be where he’ll go now.”

Earlier Fallon had got his memorable afternoon under way with a victory in division one of the EBF Racing Uk Maiden Fillies’ Stakes on 11/4 joint favourite Liber Nauticus for Sir Michael Stoute.

That was the veteran trainer’s second successive win of the afternoon after William Buick guided home Uriah Hepp in the opener, the Goodwood Racehorse Owners’ Group Maiden Stakes, after going off 15/8 favourite.

Fallon completed his notable treble with a 7/1 success on board Bravo Echo, trained by Michael Attwater, in the Loewe Stakes.

There was a familiar Sussex figure in the winner’s enclosure after the Reheat Nursery Stakes as John Dunlop celebrated a win for Sejalaat (4/1), ridden by Paul Hanagan.

Godolphin took the Royal Sussex Regiment Stakes courtesy of Mickael Barzalona and 7/1 chance Rumh.

And as it to prove it was a day for dashing doubles, Barzalona was on the mark again little more than an hour later, first past the post in the second leg of the EBF Racing UK Maiden Fillies’ Stakes on 11/2 chance Snow Rose, sister of the Breeders’ Cup winner Raven’s Pass.

The last, the Halnaker Gentleman Amateur Riders’ Handicap Stakes, went to Littlehampton trainer Lady Herries, for whom Simon Walker guided Swift Blade, the 4/1 favourite, to a courageous win.

Goodwood’s next meeting is on Wednesday, September 26. People with a PO postcode will again be able to get into the Gordon Enclosure for £10. Call 01243 755055 or visit www.goodwood.com