The performance continued an excellent few days for trainer John Gosden, who also saw Enable power to a stunning victory in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes on Saturday, and was the third of four wins for jockey Andrea Atzeni on the opening day of the ‘Glorious Goodwood’ festival.
Under Frankie Dettori, Big Orange led from the front in trademark style in the two-mile feature, but three-year-old Stradivarius, 6-1 second-favourite, snuck down the inside rail to win by a length and three-quarters.
“He’s not the biggest of horses and he got knocked about a bit,” said Gosden.
“Andrea didn’t panic. He stayed that well and he’s a lovely little horse.”
Italian Atzeni had already scored aboard 7-4 favourite Expert Eye in the Vintage Stakes, and pulled off a stunning late move on 50-1 shot Breton Rock to claim the following Lennox Stakes.
He finished in style too on Shenanigans (15-2) in the final race, to make it a staggering four wins from five rides.
“I was speaking to Mr Gosden before the race and I said if I get the chance to challenge Big Orange I wanted to keep away from him as he fights,” he said.
“He’s improving and picked up like a nice horse. He could be anything.”
QREC general manager Nasser bin Sherida al-Kaabi presented the trophies to the winners.
“Day 1 of the Qatar Goodwood Festival was as expected in terms of strong performance and successful organisation, especially as the Festival has become a landmark in the UK’s racing scene,” said al-Kaabi.
“The participation of a number of Qatar’s horses in the festival is a good sign, which reflects the keenness of horse owners to compete in this type of races. In addition, competing with horses of a higher level is in favour of Qatar’s horses, who need such opportunities in order to assess their level and performance and what is required for them to win in future events.
“The participation of Qatari companies in the festival demonstrates their desire to be involved in the event and their efficiency whatever the circumstances might be. I think the presence of such companies has demonstrated Qatar’s firm belief in consistent dedicated work away from any other influences.
“The Group 1 Qatar International Stakes for Pure Arabians will run tomorrow. It is the first leg of the Doha Triple Crown. We wish Qatar’s horses all the best in this race, especially as the running of a race for pure Arabians at this time of the Festival every year promotes this type of racing and presents an opportunity for pure Arabian horse owners to participate in more races,” concluded al-Kaabi.
The Qatar Goodwood Festival opened with a winner for The Queen, but only after lots of drama and a stewards’ enquiry.
Her horse, Fabricate, shot trained by Michael Bell, was beaten a head by bottom-weight Dark Red, but the last-named horse veered to his left in the closing stages and bumped the runner-up. Adam Kirby, who rode Fabricate, was convinced the result would be reversed, and that proved to be the case. Third-placed Khairaat was beaten a further three-quarters of a length.
It is rare that Sir Michael Stoute uses such words as ‘exciting’ and ‘promising’ about one of his two-year-olds, but he slipped in a couple following victory for Expert Eye in the G2 Qatar Vintage Stakes.
Expert Eye, a favourite, owned and bred by Khalid Abdullah and ridden by Atzeni, romped to an easy win, scoring by four and a half lengths and three-quarters of a length from Zaman and Mildenberger. The winner was making his second appearance having won on debut at Newbury in June.
Breton Rock came fast and very late to mow down his rivals and land the G2 Qatar Lennox Stakes for trainer David Simcock and owner John Cook.
Atzeni overcame an outside draw by sitting in behind his rivals and then asking Breton Rock to accelerate wide in the final furlong. The response was electric as the horse finished with such power that he won by half a length and a short-head from Home Of The Brave and Suedois.
QREC board member Khalid bin Mohamed al-Ali presented the trophies to the winners of this race.
“Qatar’s sponsorship of this prestigious festival has contributed to success,” al-Ali said yesterday.
“We congratulate the winners of all the races of the first day. In the coming days, the excitement and thrill will intensify with strong races. We, as Qataris, are proud of sponsoring such a prestigious racing festival. We all work towards the success of this wonderful event, which gets better every year.
“We look forward to the remaining days of the festival and to seeing Qatar’s horses fulfilling our hopes in them. We are keen to benefit from such races in order to promote and enhance racing in Qatar as a country with a long tradition in this area.”