GLORIOUS START FOR GODOLPHIN AT GOODWOOD

SPACE BLUES RUNS OUT A COMPELLING WINNER IN LENNOX STAKES

Godolphin got their 2020 Glorious Goodwood campaign off to a promising start when Space Blues ran out a compelling winner of the Group 2 Lennox Stakes at Goodwood, a venue regarded as one of most picturesque and beautiful racecourses in the world.

With William Buick looking supremely confident aboard the son of Dubawi, the race was won in a matter of strides inside the final furlong, with only Duke of Hazzard offering some opposition, but not enough to threaten the smart winner.

It was a third success in the Lennox for Godolphin since it was established in 2000 courtesy Byron in 2004 and Iffraaj in 2006.

“He’s still got to make the leap into Group Ones but ran very well in the Prix Maurice de Gheest last year when third,” Buick told ITV Racing.

“He’s a horse who’s improving, he’s very professional and easy to deal with and it’s beautiful ground out there.”

Appleby, who was winning his first Lennox Stakes after teammate Saeed Bin Surour supplied Godolphin’s previous winners, added: “I’m delighted. He got a nice clean run round there with plenty of pace on. William was keen to keep it simple with him and that’s what he did. It will be interesting to see how quickly we can get him fresh again as the Prix

Maurice de Gheest is a nice race for him.”

Meanwhile, John Gosden’s superstar Stradivarius had to overcome traffic problems even as the winning post loomed large, to win a record fourth Group 1 Goodwood Cup.

Impressive victory

Earlier, Maydanny, a son of Dubawi, outclassed his rivals to post an impressive victory in the Unibet You’re On Handicap.

Mark Johnston’s charge, who was ridden by former British champion jockey Silvestre de Sousa in the colours of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, crossed the line five lengths clear of 33/1 outsider Sky Defender (33/1) with Bell Rock back in third.

I’m delighted. He got a nice clean run round there with plenty of pace on. William was keen to keep it simple with him and that’s what he did.”

Charlie Appleby » Godolphin trainer