Wild Illusion triumphs
Buick masterclass wins Nassau Stakes
William Buick produced a masterclass aboard Charlie Appleby’s Wild Illusion to win the Group 1 Nassau Stakes, the pinnacle fillies’ contest on Day 3 at Glorious Goodwood.
Norwegian-born Buick was winning the mile and one contest for a third time following Winsili in 2013 and Sultana the following year, but it was a first for Appleby and only a second for Godolphin since Zahrat Dubai triumphed in 1999 for trainer Saeed Bin Surour.
Buick, who looks to be in the form of his life following his Epsom Derby victory aboard Masar, rode a cagey race on favourable soft ground to make all the running aboard from the daughter of Dubawi and win comfortably in the end, by two lengths from Urban Fox, the mount of Daniel Tudhope.
Wild Illusion stormed into Breeder’s Cup reckoning with Sky Bet introducing her at 7/1 for the Filly & Mare Turf, a race which Appleby won last year with Wuheida.
Appleby said: “I was happy going into Ascot but the quicker ground was a concern, whereas there’s still a bit of moisture in this ground. “Dropping back in trip was going to help and I thought William was very good on the front end, I encouraged him to serve it up to them.
Reflecting on the season so far the Godolphin handler said: “It’s been a stellar season, there’s doubt about it.”
Absolute thriller
Earlier in the afternoon, Aidan O’Brien ended an unusually long wait for a first winner of the week when Ryan Moore’s Land Force landed the Group 2 Richmond Stakes.
O’Brien said: “We are very pleased with that, as he ran on very gamely at the end. He fought for Ryan nicely, and we were very pleased with his attitude and he was stepping back up to six (furlongs) again — we couldn’t be happier.”
The Lillie Langtry produced an absolute thriller as Pilaster and Maid Up battled noseto-nose to the line with the first-named narrowly prevailing.
The winner was trained by Roger Varian and ridden by David Egan, who only recently shook-off his status as an apprentice.
Mark Johnston took another successful step toward becoming the most numerically successful trainer in British racing history when Communique landed the £opening Matchbook Best Value Exchange Handicap.
Johnston, who has been leading trainer at the Goodwood Festival on 11 occasions, said: ”People talk about keeping horses busy, but he hasn’t had a gallop at home since before the season started, so he’s not particularly busy and they all thrive on racing. He’s rated 97 so the next step is either more valuable handicaps or to go up to Pattern company.”
England Sprint sensation Battash returns to defend his title in the Group 2 King George Stakes, a showcase for raw speed and the highlight of Day Four at this year’s Glorious Goodwood Festival.
Trained by Charlie Hills for renowned owner Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, the four-year-old son of Dark Angel won this in emphatic fashion 12 months ago and bids to repeat the feat.
On his most recent start Battash finished second to Godolphin’s Blue Point in the Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot and Hills will be keen to get his star sprinter back on track at the Chichester track.
Battash has matured into a solid athlete and looks to have genuine claims of landing the spoils in the hands of former British champion jockey, Jim Crowley, now a retained rider to Shaikh Hamdan.
The leading performers in the dash often go on to compete in the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes At York, and the last to win both races in the same year was Lochsong in 1993.
Battash faces 10 rivals including Muthmir, who also represents Shaikh Hamdan, and takes his chance for trainer William Haggas. He will be ridden by Dane O’Neill, who is also retrained by Shaikh Hamdan.
The biggest threat could come from the Tom Dascomb-trained Kachy, who looked particularly impressive when winning at Chester in May this year. However, he has a lot to find on form having finished ninth of 14 in the King Stand, where he did not show much passion to race.
Meanwhile, one of flat racing’s most famous colours will be seen after a long time at Goodwood, but this time under the ownership of one of the sport’s youngest patrons.
Ace Godolphin rider, Williams Buick, will don the famous maroon silks of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, when he partners Glorious Journey in the Group 3 Thoroughbred Stakes.
However, the colours are now owned by Shaikh Mohammad’s daughter, Shaikha Al Jalila Bint Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who has become a familiar figure at major race meetings around the world.
Also in the line-up are two other horses with a Dubai connection, Threading, who is owned by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Ostilio, who represents Shaikh Mohammad Obaid Al Maktoum.
Glorious Journey won his maiden at Yarmouth but did not show much on his most appearance in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Battash faces 10 rivals including Muthmir, who also represents Shaikh Hamdan, and takes his chance for trainer Haggas.