Highlighting some of the best wins in Goodwood Cup history. Image credit: Supplied
While each winner of the storied Group 1 fixture has etched their name into the history books in one way or another, there are some legacy-defining displays which stand out from the pack. Whether it be dominant wins from Goodwood betting odds favourites, or momentous upsets caused by rank outsiders, there are more than enough for us to dissect. With that in mind, let’s look at a few of the most eye-popping showings that have taken place in the last 25 years.
Appearing a little keen in the early strides, the Alan King-trained Trueshan managed to quickly settle thereafter and establish himself nicely on the inside rail. Once there was three quarters of a mile to run, it was clear jockey Hollie Doyle was making her push to snatch the lead from Nayef Road.
She managed to do just that, and with three furlongs remaining, the classy French horse found himself in a hard-fought tussle with Away He Goes and Australia’s Sir Ron Priestly down the straight. However, the opposition’s advances were swiftly snuffed out as Trueshan had a dominant final furlong to win by 3 ¾ lengths. The stayer’s win was made all the more special as his jockey Doyle became the first female to win a Goodwood Cup.
King will be hoping his horse can have a similar performance this year – and with such a strong field entering the race, he will need every bit of Trueshan’s brilliance if he is to come away victorious.
There are few horses more synonymous with the Goodwood Cup than Stradivarius. Although you could highlight any one of his Cup wins as his most impressive, 2020’s was certainly his most important. If he were to come away successful, he would have created history by becoming the first horse to win the celebrated race four times – surpassing Double Trigger’sthree titles achieved in 1995, 1997 and 1998. He stood up to the task, overpowering Nayef Road in a nail-biting affair to win an unprecedented fourth Goodwood Cup. After the race, jockey Frankie Dettori was full of praise for the likely future Hall of Famer.
“What a horse,” he said.
“Giving 15 pounds away, everybody rode to beat me, and he still gets out and wins.
“What can you say, he’s an amazing horse and look at what he’s done – he continues to break records.”
One of the truly great stayers in the sport’s history, Yeats’ win in the Goodwood Cup 16 years ago could only be described as emphatic. Despite carrying top weight and partnering with a jockey unfamiliar to him, the then five-year-old had arguably never looked so comfortable.
Choosing to sit centre-field throughout the opening stanza of the race, jockey Michael Kinane gradually made his way to the outside and seemingly cruised past his opposition to sit in fourth as they headed home. In what was a perfectly timed run, Yeats finished strongly over the final two furlongs to win by five lengths. 2006 proved to be a great year for the Ballydoyle product, with the win securing the thoroughbred the Ascot-Goodwood Cup double. Additionally, that same year, the son of Sadler’s Wells was voted the Cartier Racing Award as Top Stayer.
In what was his final year racing professionally, the 12-time Group 1 winning stayer solidified his greatness with a magnificent performance in the 98’ Goodwood Cup. Although he appeared eager to take the lead early on, the Mark Johnston-trained thoroughbred quickly came back to the middle of the pack at the halfway mark. While he still had plenty to do at that point, there was an air of inevitability that the then two-time Goodwood Cup champion was going to show the resolve necessary down the stretch and make it a record breaking third Cup win. He managed to do so, digging into his reserves of stamina to finish over the top of a courageous Canon Can and Celeric.
With the Goodwood Cup just around the corner, if you’re someone looking for more clarity on your tips for Goodwood racing today – delving into past races to see how previous horses have won the Group 1 fixture may help you place an educated bet.