Goodwood Cup Runners 2025 - O'Brien Duo & Gosden Trio Stand Ground In Tuesday Group 1 Lineup

Eight runners are in contention for the opening Group of the Glorious Goodwood Festival, the Goodwood Cup, on Tuesday, 29th July. The contest is a stamina-sapping 2m showcase and Aidan O’Brien has thrown a curveball by declaring his two main potential combatants in Illinois and Scandinavia.

Illinois is the proven quantity at this level, being a three-time runner-up in Group 1s including the St Leger and Gold Cup at Royal Ascot. Indeed, he is yet to finish outside of the first three in his career, though this would be a first start over this 2m trip, which could prove ideal for him. Scandinavia, on the other hand, is just a three-year-old, but showed himself to have plenty of scope when bolting away with the Group 3 Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket over 1m5f. He is a fascinating contender in attempting to be the first since Stradivarius in 2017 to win this at three.

John & Thady Gosden have not won this race since their staying great won four in a row between 2017 and 2020. However, they have three still in contention, with experienced stayer Sweet William the runner-up 12 months ago. He is joined by two promising stablemates; French Master has relished the step up to 1m6f the last twice, doing very well to win at Ascot last time, and looks ready for Group company, while Military Academy has only ever raced between 1m2f-1m4f, but put in a career best when second in a Listed race last time.

The veterans Trueshan and Dubai Future have been staples in similar races for many seasons now, but their chances of winning another such contest have not yet entirely diminished. The former is a multiple Group 1 winner, with the latter third in the Gold Cup last time out.

The other contender is a four-year-old in former Group 1 winner and St Leger third Sunway set to step up to 2m for David Menuisier.

2025 Goodwood Cup Runners