Royal Ascot helps ensure Goodwood’s Sussex Stakes will top-class
and live on Freeview channel 276
The August 2 showpiece will be the first contest between the top three-year-olds and older horses who run over that distance.
And the winners of the mile races on the opening day of Royal Ascot, the Queen Anne Stakes and St James’ Palace Stakes, are both among 40 entries for the Qatar Sussex Stakes.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdTriple Time, trained by Kevin Ryan and ridden by Neil Callan, as a surprise 33/1 winner of the Queen Anne, a race for the older horses – beating the favourite Inspiral, ridden by Frankie Dettori.
Both may go in the Sussex Stakes – along with Paddington, 11/5 winner of the St James’ Palace Stakes for Ryan Moore and Aidan O’Brien. That’s another runner destined for Goodwood’s contest, and St James runner-up Chaldean could join the party too.
Goodwood MD Adam Waterworth, who was at the opening two days at Ascot to talk to connections, said: “Royal Ascot has been perfect in terms of setting up our Sussex Stakes nicely.
"It’s possible we’ll have the first two from each of those one-mile races running in our race – alongside what is already a strong list of contenders.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad"The Sussex Stakes is the first time the best three-year-olds and older milers go up against each other and it never disappoints.
"Many of the trainers with strong chances are superb supporters of Goodwood so all the signs look good.”
The eyes of Goodwood officials will be back on Ascot this afternoon (Thurs) for the meeting’s Gold Cup, from which a number of strong performers are likely to target another of the Group 1 races at Glorious, the Goodwood Cup.
Waterworth said the initial entry list for the Goodwood Cup and Nassau Stakes, also a Group 1 race, would be released next Tuesday.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdMeantime Goodwood bosses are delighted with the success of this year’s Three Friday Nights series, which ends tomorrow (June 23) with Roger Sanchez doing a post-racing DJ set.
“It’s a sell-out and it’s been lovely to see a whole new audience coming to the racecourse,” Waterworth added.