For once, the British weather read the script and consented to bathe Sussex in sunshine on the opening day of the Qatar Goodwood Festival. Whatever the weather, the quality of the racing at the Panama hat-strewn festival can be relied upon to deliver, and Day 1 of the 2024 edition was no exception.
Kyprios the King of the Staying Division
All eyes were on Ascot Gold Cup hero Kyprios in the Group 1 Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup Stakes. Holding off Stradivarius by a neck in a pulsating 2022 edition of the race, the son of Galileo was unable to defend his crown in an injury-interrupted 2023 campaign.
Returning in the autumn of 2023, two defeats in as many starts led some to question whether we would see Kyprios at his best again. Fast forward to 2024, and the Aidan O’Brien star headed to Goodwood seeking a four-timer – with his recent success in the Ascot Gold Cup suggesting that all of the stamina, guts, and class remain. However, with that success at the Royal Meeting representing a first Group 1 win since his scarcely credible 20-length annihilation of the field in the Prix du Cadran in October 2022, he still needed to back it up.
Following this performance, there can be no doubt that Kyprios is out on his own as the king of the staying division. Ridden quietly just off the pace by Ryan Moore, Kyprios delivered his usual power-packed response once asked to forge clear for a formidable four-length success. Having now regained the Ascot Gold Cup and Goodwood Cup, the Prix du Cadran could be next.
Destination Del Mar for Aomori City?
Won by future Group 1 winners Pinatubo, Galileo Gold, and Highland Reel in recent years, the Vintage Stakes is among the most anticipated juvenile events of the season, as a field of highly regarded sorts do battle over seven furlongs. The late withdrawal of Ballydoyle representative The Parthenon robbed the 2024 edition of a little lustre, but we suspect the winner may follow in the hoofprints of those who progressed to score at the highest level.
Outpaced when third in the Group 2 July Stakes over six furlongs at Newmarket, it was hoped that the step up in trip might work the oracle for Aomori City. Whilst his sire, Oasis Dream, made his name as a sprinter, he is no stranger to delivering a quality performer at seven furlongs and up, having produced Native Trail, Midday, Aqlaam and others to score in Group 1 company over a mile or more. On this evidence, Aomori City may soon join them. Travelling smoothly throughout, his inherent speed exploded into life in the final furlong as he blew the field away in a matter of strides.
Looking to have plenty left in the tank at the line, Aomori City can be backed at 33/1 for next season’s 2,000 Guineas. A more immediate Group 1 target comes in the shape of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar – a race that trainer Charlie Appleby has won three times since 2013.
Audience Awesome in Lennox Stakes
Whilst not quite in the same league as Auguste Rodin, the John & Thady Gosden-trained Audience has earned himself a seat at the “difficult to predict” table. Kicking off his season with a trailblazing victory over Charyn in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury, he backed up that effort by finishing fully eight and a half lengths adrift of that rival in the Queen Anne Stakes.
With that performance at the Royal Meeting fresh in the memory, not too many were predicting Audience to rebound in the Group 2 Lennox Stakes – particularly as he had finished last of six behind the reopposing Kinross in the 2023 edition. Even fewer suggest that the son of Iffraaj would pull right away from a toiling field by an eased-down four lengths. However, in a fine advert for the unpredictable nature of the sport, that is exactly what unfolded as the five-year-old bagged a third Group success in effortless style.
If he turns up in this form, Audience will be a big player wherever he rocks up next, with the City Of York Stakes, the Prix de la Foret, and the Breeders’ Cup Mile all touted as potential targets.