World Pool Lennox Stakes
Group 2, Goodwood 14:30
£180,000 guaranteed,
3yo plus,
7f, Class 1   
Tuesday 29th July 2025

SureWIn

1 Witness Stand 25/1
2 Lake Forest 11/1
3 Audience 3/1J
10 ran NR: Kinross, Ten Bob Tony WD: Kinross
Distances: 2¾l, 2¼l, hd Time: 1m 24.55s (slow by 0.25s)

There was chaos even before the stalls cracked open, but amid the mayhem, Witness Stand delivered a career-defining blow for the training partnership of Dr Richard Newland and Jamie Insole, springing a 25/1 shock under a bold ride from Hollie Doyle.

The drama began in the paddock, where Kinross, the dual winner of the race and joint-favourite, was sensationally withdrawn after being kicked by Audience—a prelude to the unpredictability that would follow. Soon after the break, Royal Ascot hero Noble Champion was pulled up by Kieran Shoemark, the colt clearly amiss and taken out of the contest as the field roared away.

It was a furious gallop from the outset, and Witness Stand was one of a trio to cut loose early. Unlike his companions, though, the son of Starspangledbanner kept pouring it on. Two furlongs out, Doyle pushed the button and the response was immediate—he quickened clear and had the race put to bed with a furlong to run.

Lake Forest  plugged on from well off the pace, closing to within three lengths, while Audience, despite his pre-race skirmish, ran with credit in third, though never looked like getting to the winner once the field straightened up.

For Newland and Insole, who only joined forces in 2023, this was a landmark win—not just their first major on the Flat, but a statement of intent. Insole, formerly assistant to Charlie Hills, was understandably emotional in the aftermath:

“I’ve been involved in big winners before, but to train one myself… it’s special. Racing’s in my blood—my grandad was a jockey and trainer, my uncle Will Kennedy rode over jumps. I hope I’ve done them proud today.”

The team secured Witness Stand for 100,000gns at the horses-in-training sales and had turned down offers since, already eyeing this very race. A fast-finishing run at Chester, where the track record fell, had hinted at untapped potential.

“We felt confident coming here. The ease in the ground suited and Hollie gave him a perfect ride. I entered him for the G1 Prix de la Forêt this morning—it might turn out to be a very smart move.”

Doyle, typically composed, offered her own praise:

“A great training performance. He’s always had talent—he’s a Listed winner—and although he had something to prove at this level, he’s done it emphatically. It’s not a shock to Jamie, and after that, it’s not to me either.”

The beaten jockeys reflected on what might have been. Tom Marquand, aboard Lake Forest, noted the challenge:

“We were depending on the closers to bridge the gap, but the front three were away. I tried to save ground on the inside, but the winner had already gone.”

Robert Havlin, on Audience, saw positives despite defeat:

“A better run today. He travelled well but just found the ground a touch loose. He kept on again in the final furlong and the cheekpieces seemed to help.”

Trainer John Gosden confirmed York would be next on the agenda for the Juddmonte gelding.

And finally, Rossa Ryan, whose mount Kinross was ruled out before the race began, apologised for the incident that led to the gelding’s withdrawal:

“It happened so quickly. Audience backed up, lashed out and caught Kinross. One of those freak things. Thankfully, he seems fine.”

But it was Witness Stand who left the strongest impression—cool-headed in chaos, clear-cut at the line, and suddenly a name to be reckoned with at Group level.

BoyleSports

World Pool Lennox Stakes, Group 2
£180,000 guaranteed, 3yo plus, 7f, Class 1
10 ran
Going: Good

POS. (DRAW) DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 (3)    Witness Stand 4 9-6 Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole Hollie Doyle 25/1
2 (12) 2¾ Lake Forest 4 9-6 William Haggas Tom Marquand 11/1
3 (4) 2¼ Audience 6 9-6 John & Thady Gosden Robert Havlin 3/1J
7 (8) hd Quinault 5 9-6 Stuart Williams Jason Hart 11/1
11 (11) 2 Jonquil 3 8-13 Andrew Balding Oisin Murphy 7/2
1 (9) 3 Alyanaabi 4 9-6 Owen Burrows Jim Crowley 25/1
3 (2) 1¼ Iberian 4 9-6 Charles Hills Billy Loughnane 18/1
6 (1) 1 Nostrum 5 9-6 David O'Meara Jason Watson 80/1
10 (7) 5 Intrusively 3 8-13 Edward Bethell Neil Callan 80/1
PU 12 (5) Noble Champion 3 8-13 Ed Walker Kieran Shoemark 11/2
NR 4 (10) Kinross 8 9-6 Ralph Beckett NON RUNNER
NR 8 (6) Ten Bob Tony 4 9-6 Ed Walker NON RUNNER