HKJC World Pool Molecomb Stakes
Group 3, Goodwood 14:30
£100,000 guaranteed,
2yo only,
5f, Class 1   
Wednesday 30th July 2025

1 Lady Iman 11/8F
2 Argentine Tango 11/1
3 Dickensian 11/1
8 ran Distances: 1½l, ½l, hd
Time: 57.16s (slow by 0.36s)

The market spoke volumes—and Lady Iman didn’t disappoint.

Ger Lyons’ flying filly, sent off favourite, blitzed her way to victory, making light work of the five furlongs under a typically ice-cool Ryan Moore. This was a display oozing class and confidence, the Irish raider travelling sweetly on the far side before uncorking a sharp turn of foot that settled matters in a flash.

Second last time out in the Curragh’s Group 2 to Aidan O’Brien’s Beautify over six, the drop to the minimum trip proved just the ticket. Back on her metronomic stride, the daughter of Starman was always in control—quickening smartly to put daylight between herself and the field, crossing the line a length and a half clear.

Argentine Tango, already a Listed winner at Newmarket, stayed on stoutly to grab second. Windsor Castle runner-up Dickensian filled third, but neither could live with the winner’s decisive gear change.

And with it, Lady Iman books her spot in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Del Mar—where Lyons triumphed last year with Magnum Force.

“The Breeders’ Cup is where I’d love to go,” said Lyons, glowing in the aftermath. “But I don’t own her. Ryan just said it there—if she gets a low draw at Del Mar, she wins it. She’s proper.

“Last year was something else. I went to Del Mar and the buzz—it was off the charts. It’s not about me, but if there’s a dancefloor to be danced on again, I’ll pack the shoes. That’s the kind of thrill that makes this game worth it.

“I don’t love taking on older horses, if I’m honest. Ryan’s mentioned the Nunthorpe, but I wouldn’t know the Nunthorpe if it bit me on the arse. That’s one for the owners. First, we get her home.”

Reflecting on the filly's only defeat, Lyons was candid: “I dropped the ball last time. She’d done everything right, and Beautify is no mug. Aidan’s two-year-olds this year are something else—he’s hitting notes we’ve never heard before. And that Queen Mary winner of his—True Love—my God, she’s a monster. So to win this? It means plenty.”

There was a nod too for the suspended Colin Keane: “I feel for Colin today. He’s not a whip jockey. This new system—they’ve opened a whole new can of worms. It’s not him. He’ll learn, but it’s tough.”

Moore, whose ride was executed to perfection, offered this: “She’s always been very well thought of, very fast. To be honest, I was there too soon. But she was tanking—cantering—and I didn’t want to complicate it. She’s got a big engine. If she gets a draw over there [in Del Mar], she’s in with a real shout.”

Runner-up Argentine Tango lost little in defeat. Assistant trainer William Easterby was full of admiration: “She’s as tough as they come—attitude for days. We weren’t sure about the drop back to five, but she tried, like always. The winner was just quicker. She’s in the Lowther next—that’s the likely next step.”

And a word too from Shane Gray on Dickensian: “He’s genuine as the day is long. Just lost his kick on that slower ground late on, but he keeps giving.”

Molecomb Stakes
£100,000 guaranteed, 2yo only, 5f, Class 1
8 ran
Going: Good

POS. (DRAW) DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 (2)    Lady Iman 2 9-3 G M Lyons Ryan Moore 11/8F
2 (1) 1½ Argentine Tango 2 9-0 Tim Easterby David Allan 11/1
3 (6) ½ Dickensian 2 9-3 Kevin Ryan Shane Gray 11/1
4 (4) hd Rydale Frosty 2 9-3 David Simcock Jamie Spencer 7/1
5 (3) 4 Rogue Supremacy 2 9-3 David O'Meara Rossa Ryan 33/1
6 (7) 1¼ Sands Of Spain 1 2 9-3 Andrew Balding Oisin Murphy 7/1
7 (8) 1 Military Code 2 9-3 Charlie Appleby William Buick 7/2
8 (5) 1 Ameeq 2 9-3 Kevin Ryan Kevin Stott 16/1

BoyleSports