Wonderful Tonight wins final feature at Qatar Goodwood Festival 2021

Abdullah bin Mohamed al-Attiyah presented the trophies to the connections of the winner of the feature, the Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes, a Group 2 for three-year-old and older fillies and mares.Christopher Wright-owned Wonderful Tonight topped the 2,800m race for trainer David Menuisier and jockey William Buick.Buick sat the four-year-old second in the early stages as she raced keenly behind the leader.As the front-running Makawee faded, Buick was left with no choice but to commit, making his challenge under half-a-mile from home. Wonderful Tonight stretched clear on the stands’ side but was emptying slightly in the closing stages – that early exuberance appearing to be a factor.The two-time Group 1 winner had enough in reserve to see off Tribal Craft, ultimately scoring by a comfortable two lengths. Albaflora was far away behind as she finished further nine lengths back in third.“Wonderful Tonight won a Group 1 over a mile and six furlongs last year, and she is a lot stronger this year. I decided not to run her in the Nassau as I wanted Emma Banks [Lady Bowthorpe, owner] to win the race, so we went for the Lillie Langtry instead. She will probably have a run in the Yorkshire Oaks or at Deauville next. She will then go for the Prix Vermeille before the Arc,” the winning trainer Menuisier said.It was a seventh win at this year’s Qatar Goodwood Festival for Buick, who will end the week as the Leading Jockey.Buick said: “It's a mile and six furlongs. I know she has won over this trip before in Paris last year, but I think she's a bit speedier now. She doesn't need to be running over this trip again. To be honest, she races how she always does. Shetarget="_blank"'>