Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup
Group 1, Goodwood 15:05
£500,000 guaranteed,
3yo plus,
2m, Class 1   
Tuesday 29th July 2025

1 Scandinavia 4/1
2 Illinois 7/4F
3 Sweet William 4/1
8 ran Distances: ¾l, 2½l, ½l
Time: 3m 27.96s (slow by 0.36s)

In a finish that had all the rhythm of a boxing bout rather than a flat race, it was Scandinavia who landed the knockout blow, edging out his Ballydoyle stablemate Illinois in a pulsating final-furlong duel.

Fresh from a thumping win in the Bahrain Trophy, Wayne Lordan’s partner needed every yard of the two miles, grinding away at the long-time leader before surging past in the dying strides. It was a stretch drive that tested every sinew—and showcased every ounce of the Justify colt’s raw staying power.

Behind them, it was a case of déjà vu for Sweet William, who again floundered on the idiosyncratic contours of Goodwood, coming home a distant third, two and a half lengths back.

But the race was overshadowed by tragedy. 2021 winner Trueshan, a fan favourite and warrior of the staying ranks, suffered a fatal injury mid-race, with Hollie Doyle pulling him up immediately. A sad end for a brilliant stayer.

Back at the front, it was all about Ballydoyle. Aidan O’Brien, so often the orchestrator of staying masterclasses, was full of praise:

"Wayne gave him a brilliant ride. He’s got class, he stays forever, and he just keeps coming. A typical Justify—they’ve got that Galileo steel, but more polish. They don’t lie down."

Scandinavia now finds himself in exalted company—the first three-year-old to win this race since Stradivarius in 2017—and could be destined for similar greatness.

O’Brien added:

"This fella handled the ground, stayed every inch, and is straightforward as they come. The lads will decide, but you’d have to say the St Leger looks right up his street."

And what of the vanquished? Illinois may have made the running, but he lost little in defeat.

"I thought Ryan gave him a peach," said O’Brien. "He was out there doing everything right. The winner just had that little bit more late on. But make no mistake—we haven’t seen the best of Illinois yet."

Lordan, cool and composed post-race, knew what he had under him:

"He’s been improving all year. I tucked in behind Ryan, let the race come to us, and when I really asked him—he delivered. He’s tall, still maturing, and there’s more to come. Next year, he could be the one they all have to beat."

Elsewhere, John Gosden was magnanimous in defeat:

"Sweet William was brave but this track doesn’t suit him. A galloping venue like York or Doncaster will be more his thing. You give Aidan a soft lead—good luck reeling them in."

Co-trainer Robert Havlin echoed the sentiment:

"He just never travels here. Tried his heart out, but it wasn’t his day."

And for Sunway, another valiant effort behind two Group 1 colts. Trainer David Menuisier was philosophical:

"No excuses. He stays, he battles, but when Ballydoyle bring the big guns, you often find yourself playing for the places. We’ll look to France now—maybe the Kergorlay, perhaps even the Cadran."

But today belonged to Scandinavia—tough, classy, and with the engine of a locomotive. A new staying star has arrived.

SureWIn

Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup
(British Champions Series) (Group 1)
£500,000 guaranteed, 3yo plus, 2m, Class 1
8 ran
Going: Good

POS. (DRAW) DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 (5)    Scandinavia 3 8-12 A P O'Brien Wayne Lordan 4/1
2 (8) ¾ Illinois 4 9-12 A P O'Brien Ryan Moore 7/4F
3 (3) 2½ Sweet William 6 9-12 John & Thady Gosden Robert Havlin 4/1
4 (4) ½ Sunway 4 9-12 David Menuisier Oisin Murphy 12/1
5 (1) 3¾ French Master 4 9-12 John & Thady Gosden James Doyle 9/1
6 (6) shd Dubai Future 9 9-12 Saeed bin Suroor Christophe Soumillon 28/1
7 (2) 5½ Military Academy 4 9-12 John & Thady Gosden William Buick 17/2
PU 7 (7) Trueshan 9 9-12 Alan King Hollie Doyle 22/1

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