Today’s Feature

King George Qatar Stakes

A hotly contested five furlongs event for three-year-olds and upwards, the Group 2 King George Qatar Stakes is Goodwood’s premier race for sprinters and one of the highlights of the British racing calendar.

Sir Gordon Richards set a likely never-to-be-beaten record of riding the winner in six consecutive seasons beginning in 1947, but the legendary Lester Piggott is the race’s most successful jockey with an amazing nine wins, the last of which was Anita’s Prince in 1984.

The brilliant mare Lochsong beat Paris House in a thrilling renewal in 1993 under Frankie Dettori. She returned twelve months later to register a second success and become one of only half a dozen horses to win the race twice.

Three-year-olds have the best record in the race since the war, with more than 30 winners coming from that age group, while winning favourites have proved a reliable statistic for those betting on the outcome.

The 2009 renewal was particularly strong with dual Group 1 winner Kingsgate Native beating subsequent Prix de l’Abbaye winner Total Gallery.

Ortensia became the first Australian-trained horse to win a race at Goodwood in 2012 and underlined her immense talent the following month with a subsequent success in the Nunthorpe which is often targeted by the leading players in the King George Qatar Stakes.

Take Cover left an indelible mark on the race with wins in 2014 and 2016 before the remarkable Battaash arrived the following year to run up a sequence of four consecutive wins. The Charlie Hills-trained gelding was an automatic favourite to make it five in a row in 2021 but could finish only seventh behind the French trained mare Suesa on ground thought to be slower than he would have preferred.

Hills returned to win the race yet again last year with Khaadem, who arrived with some useful form having won the Stewards’ Cup two years previously, but the six-year-old failed in his bid to join Lochsong, Ortensia and stablemate Battaash as the only horses in the modern era to win the King George Qatar Stakes and the Nunthorpe in the same season.

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THE KING GEORGE QATAR STAKES (Group 2)

Class 1. Five furlongs (5f), for three yrs old and upwards

Estimated Total Value: Total prize fund £300000. Penalty Value £170130. Owners Prize Money: Winner £133680; Second £54870; Third £27450; Fourth £13710; Fifth £6870; Sixth £3420. Distributed in accordance with the Stakes and Prize Money Code

No

1 EQUALITY (GB) (27)

B g Equiano (FR) - Penny Drops (Invincible Spirit (IRE))

Owner: Kennet Valley Syndicates II

Trainer: Charles Hills, Lambourn

Breeder: Mr & Mrs G. Middlebrook

Sponsor: Oakman Group PLC

5 9-4 (1)

Jockey: Ryan Moore

Colours: NAVY BLUE, RED and LIGHT BLUE hoop and armlets, WHITE cap.

Form: 13-0011 D

Winner of five races at 5f on good and good to soft ground and on the all-weather. A winner at 7-1 in the Group 3 Coral Charge at Sandown over 5f (good) on his latest outing last month, beating Makarova by 1 1/2l. Has to be respected but further progression is required. Official BHA Rating 110

2 EQUILATERAL (GB) (45)

B g Equiano (FR) - Tarentaise (Oasis Dream)

Owner: Mrs Fitri Hay

Trainer: Charles Hills, Lambourn

Breeder: Juddmonte Farms Ltd

Sponsor: JMH Group

8 9-4 (9)

Jockey: Frankie Dettori

Colours: PINK, EMERALD GREEN chevron, halved sleeves, EMERALD GREEN and PINK quartered cap.

Form: 004225 D

Winner of seven races from 5f to 6f on ground varying from good to firm to good to soft. Finished 4 1/2l behind Bradsell when fifth of 17 at 33-1 on his latest outing in the Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes at Ascot over 5f (good) in June. Likely to be in the mix. Official BHA Rating 106

3 PONNTOS (IRE) (61)

B h Power - Blessing Box (Bahamian Bounty)

Owner: Dr. Eva Nieslanikova

Trainer: Miroslav Nieslanik, Czech Republic

Breeder: Liam Butler & Churchtown House Stud

5 9-4 (5)

Jockey: Hayley Turner

Colours: ORANGE and WHITE diamonds, ORANGE sleeves, WHITE cap.

Form: 4-30030 D

He has won four times from 5f to 6f on good and good to soft ground. Beaten 5l behind Game Run at 28-1 when eighth of 12 on his latest outing in the Group 2 Prix du Gros-Chene at Chantilly over 5f (good) in June. Fifth in this last year and may find a few too good. Official BHA Rating 97

4 RAASEL (GB) (3)

Ch g Showcasing - Dubai Affair (Dubawi (IRE))

Owner: The Horse Watchers

Trainer: Michael Appleby, Oakham

Breeder: Bearstone Stud

Sponsor: Timeform

6 9-4 (6)

Jockey: James Doyle

Colours: BLACK, ORANGE seams and sleeves, BLACK cap.

Form: 030540 CD BF

Has won nine races at 5f on ground varying from good to firm to soft. Beaten 8l behind Lord Riddiford at 10-3fav when 9th of 12 on his latest outing over this course and distance (good to soft) on Tuesday. Has a bit to find based on recent evidence. Official BHA Rating 101

5 SILKY WILKIE (IRE) (20)

B g Mehmas (IRE) - Vasoni (IRE) (Redback)

Owner: Middleham Park Racing LXXXI & E Burke

Trainer: K. R. Burke, Leyburn

Breeder: Mrs Claire Doyle

Sponsor: Tattersalls, Middleham Park Racing

4 9-4 (7)

Jockey: Richard Kingscote

Colours: LIGHT BLUE, ORANGE epaulets. Form: 010522 D

Winner of six races from 5f to 6f on ground varying from good to firm to good to soft and on the all-weather Beaten 1 3/4l by Nymphadora when second of 8 at 3-1 on his latest outing at York over 5f (good to soft) last month. Has to take on that rival again today Official BHA Rating 109

6 HIGHFIELD PRINCESS (FR) (41)

6 9-1 (3)

B m Night of Thunder (IRE) - Pure Illusion (IRE) (Danehill (USA)) Jockey: Jason Hart

Owner: Trainers House Enterprises Ltd

Trainer: John Quinn, Malton

Breeder: Trainers House Enterprises Ltd

Sponsor: JJ Quinn Racing Ltd

Colours: RED, YELLOW star. Form: 114-223 D BF

Has won 12 races from 5f to 7f on ground varying from good to firm to soft and on the all-weather. Third of 16 behind Khaadem beaten 1 1/2l at 11-4fav on her latest outing in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Ascot over 6f in June. A leading contender. Official BHA Rating 117

7 KERDOS (IRE) (20)

3 9-1 (10)

B c Profitable (IRE) - The Mums (Holy Roman Emperor (IRE)) Jockey: Rossa Ryan

Owner: John Connolly & A D Spence

Trainer: Clive Cox, Hungerford

Breeder: KCS Bloodstock Ltd

Sponsor: Eclipse Partners Ltd

Colours: BLACK, LIGHT BLUE armlets.

Form: 1-20326 BF

Successful twice at 6f on good and good to soft ground. Finished 5l behind Nymphadora when sixth of 8 at 5-2fav on his latest outing at York over 5f (good to soft) last month. Has to prove himself at this level and others make more appeal. Official BHA Rating 102

8 LADIES CHURCH (GB) (13)

4 9-1 (11)

Ch f Churchill (IRE) - Rioticism (FR) (Rio de La Plata (USA)) Jockey: Ben Coen

Owner: Mr Mark Dobbin

Trainer: J. P. Murtagh, Ireland

Breeder: Dukes Stud & Overbury Stallions Ltd

Colours: DARK GREEN, WHITE spots on sleeves.

Form: 10-2014 D

She has won four times at 5f on good to firm and good ground. Finished 4 1/2l behind Art Power when fourth of 8 at 3-1 on her latest outing in the Group 2 Barberstown Castle Sapphire Stakes at Curragh over 5f (soft) last month. Has an each-way chance in this company Official BHA Rating 110

9 MAKAROVA (GB) (27)

4 9-1 (4)

B f Acclamation - Vesnina (Sea The Stars (IRE)) Jockey: Tom Marquand

Owner: Brightwalton Bloodstock Ltd

Trainer: Ed Walker, Upper Lambourn

Breeder: Brightwalton Bloodstock Ltd

Sponsor: Brightwalton Bloodstock Ltd

Colours: TURQUOISE, NAVY BLUE collar and cuffs, check cap.

Form: 2-56412 D

She has won three times from 5f to 6f on good to firm and good ground. Beaten 1 1/2l by Equality when second of 10 at 10-1 on her latest outing in the Group 3 Coral Charge at Sandown over 5f (good) last month. Needs to find some improvement to reverse that form here. Official BHA Rating 101

10 NYMPHADORA (GB) (20)

4 9-1 (2)

B f No Nay Never (USA) - Bewitchment (Pivotal) Jockey: Jason Watson

Owner: St Albans Bloodstock Limited

Trainer: Andrew Balding, Kingsclere

Breeder: The Bewitchment Partnership

Colours: BRONZE.

Form: 25-0141 D

She has won three times at 5f on ground varying from good to soft. A winner at 7-1 at York over 5f (good to soft) on her latest outing last month, beating Silky Wilkie by 1 3/4l. Going in the right direction but another career-best effort is required at this level. Official BHA Rating 106

11 WHITE LAVENDER (IRE) (13) 5 9-1 (8)

B m Heeraat (IRE) - Goodnight And Joy (IRE) (Rip Van Winkle (IRE)) Jockey: Clifford Lee

Owner: Mrs Barbara M. Keller

Trainer: K. R. Burke, Leyburn

Breeder: Paul McCartan

Sponsor: KB Spigot Ltd

Colours: GREY, BLACK seams, BLACK cap, GREY pom pom.

Form: 342-015 D

She has won three times from 5f to 6f on ground varying from good to heavy. Finished 10l behind Art Power when fifth of 8 at 7-1 on her latest outing in the Group 2 Barberstown Castle Sapphire Stakes at Curragh over 5f (soft) last month. Should not be underestimated. Official BHA Rating 108

Number Of Declared Runners 11

Hood worn by No. 1. Tongue Strap worn by No. 3, 8, 9. Sheepskin Cheek Pieces worn by No. 4, 8. Racing Post Standard Time: 57.10 secs Record Time: 55.62 secs

BETTING FORECAST 11-10 Highfield Princess (FR), 15-2 Equality (GB), 12-1 Nymphadora (GB), 16-1 Equilateral (GB), Ladies Church (GB), 18-1 Makarova (GB), 20-1 Raasel (GB), Silky Wilkie (IRE), 25-1 White Lavender (IRE), 33-1 Kerdos (IRE), 66-1 Ponntos (IRE)

Race Result

1st: ................................ 2nd: ................................ 3rd: ................................ 4th: ................................

Distances: 1-2 2-3 ........... 3-4 ........... Time: Min .Secs

2022 WINNER: KHAADEM (IRE) 6 9 4 Ryan Moore 8-1 (Charles Hills) 11 ran

STEWARDS NOTED:

KERDOS:Following its run on 15/7/2023 it was reported that the trainer could not explain the poor run.

Race Summary

HIGHFIELD PRINCESS arrives here on the back of three outstanding efforts in defeat this season and the switch back to Group 2 company may see the six-year-old return to winning ways. Equilateral has also been running well this season and could prove to be the main threat to the selection, although the progressive Equality should not be underestimated. Those looking for an each-way alternative should consider White Lavender, who is likely to have conditions in her favour.

Win: HIGHFIELD PRINCESS Danger: Equilateral

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