Deirdre provided Japan with a huge success winning the Qatar Nassau Stakes (Group 1) on third day of the Qatar Goodwood Festival, which also hosted a ladies amateur jockey race, besides two other black-type races.
In the £600,000 10-furlong contest, Mitsuru Hashida-trained Deirdre finished with a flourish under Oisin Murphy, as the five-year-old foiled the attempts of trainer John Gosden and jockey Frankie Dettori, who had won the feature on the first two days of the festival.
The daughter of Harbinger captured the honours by a length and a quarter from long-time leader Mehdaayih. Sir Michael Stoute-trained Rawdaa finished third.
Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) CEO Nasser bin Sherida al-Kaabi crowned the winners.
Clive Cox-trained Golden Horde landed the £200,000 Qatar Richmond Stakes (Group 2) under Adam Kirby. The two-year-old son of Lethal Force, who was also trained by Cox, held off the sustained challenge of the well-supported Threat, trained by Richard Hannon, to score by three-quarters of a length in the six-furlong event. QREC Board member Khalid bin Mohamed al-Ali, crowned the winners.
Yorkshire-based Scotsman Mark Johnston saddled his 81st Qatar Goodwood Festival winner, setting a record for wins at the famous midsummer meeting. It was also his 150th winner at all Goodwood’s meetings. Johnston’s landmark victory came courtesy of the Silvestre De Sousa-ridden Nayef Road in the Qatar Gordon Stakes (Group 3). Al Kass Sports Channel’s Issa bin Abdulla al-Hitmi crowned the winners.
In the Magnolia Cup for lady riders, 18-year-old Khadijah Mellah emerged as an inspiration, especially for Muslim women, in sport. She won with a cool head and skills beyond her experience. She became the first woman to ride competitively on a British racecourse while wearing the hijab.
Among 12 runners, Mellah gave the Charlie Fellowes-trained Haverland a well-timed run to win the 1,100m run and score narrowly from Land Filly, ridden by Alexis Green, and Clewbrious Company, the mount of Rachael Gowland.
Khadijah said: “There are no words to describe this — I’m lost for words. I’m still trying to figure out how it all happened, and I’m so grateful to everyone who has come along to support.”
Gosden registered his third victory of the week, when Forest Of Dean won the 10-furlong £75,000 Unibet Handicap.
Ridden by Harry Bentley, registering his first victory at this year’s Qatar Goodwood Festival, the three-year-old son of Iffraaj ran on strongly up the far-side rail to score by two and a half lengths over the Andrew Balding-trained Fox Premier in second.
Johnston registered his fourth victory of the week and a double on Ladies’ Day following the impressive success of favourite Governor Of Punjab in the £25,000 Telegraph Nursery Handicap. Ridden by Ryan Moore, Governor Of Punjab won the seven-furlong event by a length over the Eve Johnson-Houghton-trained Sword Beach. The Al Shaqab Racing-owned and Richard Fahey-trained Toro Strike was third.
In the Markel Insurance British EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes, Charlie Hills-trained Vividly, ridden by K Shoemark, finished ahead of LW Bell-trained Craylands and Mark Johnston-trained Tulip Fields for the win.
Tom Clover-trained Celsius won the £25,000 Tatler Handicap Stakes under PJ McDonald.
Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) CEO Nasser bin Sherida al-Kaabi (second from left) crowned the winners of Qatar Nassau Stakes (Group 1) after Japan’s Deirdre won the 10-furlong contest at the Qatar Goodwood Festival yesterday. PICTURES: Juhaim and Zuzanna Lupa
