The Goodwood Cup was the feature race on day one of Glorious Goodwood. It unravelled dramatically due to some loose horse drama, which enabled Scandinavia to comfortably complete a staying championship double over Trawlerman.
Here is today’s racing news round-up with the Goodwood festival now underway.
Scandinavia lands dramatic Goodwood Cup in style
Ryan Moore was forced to keep his cool in an unusual running of the Group 1 Goodwood Cup. By the finish line, few would have realised such a dramatic contest had unfolded. Scandinavia, the Gold Cup winner at Ascot, comfortably doubled up by kicking clear for an eight-length triumph. The 2025 St Leger hero had also won the race as a three-year-old the year previously. Moore described the son of Justify as “a high-class horse”. (Guardian)
John & Thady Gosden were left to rue interference from a loose horse with former Gold Cup hero Trawlerman. Amiloc had unseated his rider at the start of the contest and ran loose with the field throughout the race. As a battle looked set to occur between Trawlerman and Scandinavia, the loose Amiloc ran in front of Trawlerman, causing significant damage to his chances. John Gosden was philosophical, stating “that’s life, that’s racing.” (Racing Post)
Lake Forest sets up memorable double bid
Lake Forest ran out a strong winner of the Group 2 Lennox Stakes earlier on the Tuesday card at Goodwood. The Tony Bloom-owned five-year-old had been fifth in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot over 6f behind stablemate Almeraq. However, he relished the step back up to 7f to land his second Group 2 prize. An ambitious tilt at a Goodwood double is on, with Lake Forest declared for Wednesday’s Group 1 Sussex Stakes over 1m too. (Thoroughbred Daily News)
Dr Rascal lands juvenile prize under inspired Fraser
An inspired ride from Kaiya Fraser helped Dr Rascal upset the big operations and win the Group 2 Vintage Stakes. The opening day’s big juvenile prize went the way of Oliver Cole’s charge. Fraser went for a small gap up the inside rail, saving his mount valuable ground in a tight finish. The son of Arc winner Sottsass remained unbeaten in beating Ballydoyle’s Haffner and Godolphin’s Al Hudaiba. (Mirror)
Cheltenham & Leopardstown to clash in January
Cheltenham’s Trials Day will clash with the Dublin Racing Festival (DRF) during the 2026/27 jumps season. The final pre-Festival meeting usually occurs one week before Leopardstown’s key midwinter card. However, Trials Day, as well as the opening day of two at the DRF, will take place on Saturday 30 January. Cheltenham are yet to comment on the scheduling, though Leopardstown chief Mark Clayton has said “we’ve got to put ourselves first.” (Racing Post)