Goodwood Cup (Rank 79 in 2024 The World’s Top 100 G1 Races for 3YO and Upwards) is the headline act on the opening day of the Goodwood Festival. This 3209m staying contest serves as the middle leg of what is widely regarded as the British stayers’ Triple Crown, preceded by the Gold Cup and followed by the Doncaster Cup. In the past decade, the most successful trainer in this race has been John Gosden, achieving four wins.
World Pool Ambassador ILLINOIS goes for the Goodwood Cup. He’s done very little wrong in his whole career. He’s never been out of the three. He won on his seasonal debut at Chester and ran a good race when second in the Gold Cup over two and a half miles (4000m). He’s back to two miles here (3200m) and the ground looks like it’s going to be good, so he should be suited by conditions. He probably just about sets the standard coming into the race but there’s not a huge amount between the eight runners on the figures. The two horses we don’t know about at the moment are our other horse, Scandinavia, who was very impressive at the July meeting. He looks like he could be suited by the step up to two miles and he gets a lot of weight as a three-year-old. The other horse is French Master who was a good winner of the 1m6f (2800m) Copper Horse Handicap at the Royal meeting. There are some consistent older horses in here like Sweet William and Trueshan. Dubai Future is probably overpriced. He was a good winner in Dubai at the start of the year and dropping back to two miles will suit him.
Ryan Moore
S1-4: Group 1 Goodwood Cup
Bill Esdaile
City AM - Racing Editor
Stats 1: Watch the top-three finishers of the Gold Cup
In the last ten editions of the Goodwood Cup, fifteen top-three finishers from the G1 Gold Cup in the same season have competed in this race, achieving 5 wins, 6 seconds and 3 thirds.
| Record of the top-3 finishers of the Gold Cup in the last ten editions of the Goodwood Cup | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. of runners | Win | Second | Third | Win rate | Place rate |
| 15 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 33% | 93% |
Horses on radar: No.1 DUBAI FUTURE & No.3 ILLINOIS
Stats 2: Hot jockey - Ryan Moore
In the last five editions of the Goodwood Cup, Ryan Moore has achieved 2 wins, 1 second and 1 third from his five rides.
| Record of Ryan Moore in the last five editions of the Goodwood Cup | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Horse | Finish | |||
| 2024 | KYPRIOS | 1 | |||
| 2023 | EMILY DICKINSON | 2 | |||
| 2022 | KYPRIOS | 1 | |||
| 2021 | SERPENTINE | 6 | |||
| 2020 | SANTIAGO | 3 | |||
Horse on radar: No.3 ILLINOIS
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The above content and information are the personal views and/or opinions of each individual writer and do not represent the views of The Hong Kong Jockey Club and/or its subsidiaries (together, the "HKJC"). The content and information are provided by the writers solely for entertainment purpose only, and should not be construed as a suggestion for anyone to place any bet nor should they be taken and/or relied upon as advice of any kind. The above content and information have not been verified, confirmed and/or endorsed by HKJC and HKJC shall not be liable to any person for any loss or damage suffered by such person as a result of any use or reliance of the above content or information.
HKJC shall not be required to give and does not give any warranty, whether express or implied, arising out of or in connection with the content or information. The Club disclaims any responsibility and accepts no liability (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) for any direct or indirect loss of damage arising from any inaccuracies, omission or typographical errors that may be contained therein. The Club also does not warrant the accuracy, completeness, timeliness or fitness for purpose of any such information.
Running Style:
Backmarker
Midfield
Prominent
LeaderLast 5 Performances:
Date | Course and Distance | Jockey | Draw
1. DUBAI FUTURE
J: Christophe Soumillon
T: Saeed bin Suroor
Wt.: 138 Dr.: 6
Last 5 performances
22/12/23 | MEY 2410m | Cristian Demuro | (12)
21/02/25 | MEY 2810m | Silvestre De Sousa | (3)
05/04/25 | MEY 3200m | Silvestre De Sousa | (4)
25/05/25 | LCH 3100m | Silvestre De Sousa | (1)
19/06/25 | ASC 3991m | James McDonald | (5)
2. FRENCH MASTER
J: James Doyle
T: John & Thady Gosden
Wt.: 138 Dr.: 1
Last 5 performances
05/07/24 | DON 2379m | Robert Havlin | (3)
11/10/24 | KEM 2399m Polytrack | Benoit de la Sayette | (5)
03/05/25 | NEW 2400m | Kieran Shoemark | (4)
24/05/25 | GOO 2800m | Robert Havlin | (6)
17/06/25 | ASC 2831m | James Doyle | (7)
3. ILLINOIS
J: Ryan Moore
T: A P O'Brien
Wt.: 138 Dr.: 8
Last 5 performances
21/08/24 | YOR 2371m | Wayne Lordan | (2)
14/09/24 | DON 2905m | Wayne Lordan | (7)
05/10/24 | LCH 3000m | Ryan Moore | (1)
08/05/25 | CHE 2676m | Ryan Moore | (6)
19/06/25 | ASC 3991m | Ryan Moore | (1)
4. MILITARY ACADEMY
J: William Buick
T: John & Thady Gosden
Wt.: 138 Dr.: 2
Last 5 performances
27/09/24 | NEW 2400m | Kieran Shoemark | (4)
04/11/24 | KEM 2399m Polytrack | Kieran Shoemark | (3)
22/02/25 | SOU 2221m | Robert Havlin | (5)
07/03/25 | BAH 2400m | Tom Marquand | (6)
08/06/25 | GOO 2398m | Robert Havlin | (4)
5. SUNWAY
J: Oisin Murphy
T: David Menuisier
Wt.: 138 Dr.: 4
Last 5 performances
14/09/24 | DON 2905m | Christophe Soumillon | (2)
06/10/24 | LCH 2400m | Oisin Murphy | (15)
12/04/25 | NBY 2400m | Oisin Murphy | (3)
17/05/25 | NBY 2400m | Kieran Shoemark | (7)
21/06/25 | ASC 2392m | Oisin Murphy | (5)
6. SWEET WILLIAM
J: Robert Havlin
T: John & Thady Gosden
Wt.: 138 Dr.: 3
Last 5 performances
30/07/24 | GOO 3200m | Robert Havlin | (3)
13/09/24 | DON 3579m | Robert Havlin | (1)
19/10/24 | ASC 3115m | Robert Havlin | (8)
16/05/25 | YOR 2771m | Robert Havlin | (4)
19/06/25 | ASC 3991m | Robert Havlin | (8)
7. TRUESHAN
J: Hollie Doyle
T: Alan King
Wt.: 138 Dr.: 7
Last 5 performances
30/07/24 | GOO 3200m | Hollie Doyle | (7)
13/09/24 | DON 3579m | Hollie Doyle | (2)
05/10/24 | LCH 4000m | James Doyle | (3)
27/10/24 | STC 3100m | Hollie Doyle | (1)
25/05/25 | LCH 3100m | James Doyle | (8)
8. SCANDINAVIA
J: Wayne Lordan
T: A P O'Brien
Wt.: 124 Dr.: 5
Last 5 performances
16/08/24 | NEWJ 1600m | Tom Marquand | (1)
14/09/24 | DON 1600m | Wayne Lordan | (1)
17/05/25 | NAV 2036m | Wayne Lordan | (10)
18/06/25 | ASC 2831m | Wayne Lordan | (7)
10/07/25 | NEWJ 2600m | Ryan Moore | (2)
SPEED MAP
Talking Horse & Sneaker
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The above content and information are for reference only, and should not be construed as a suggestion for anyone to place any bet nor should they be taken and/or relied upon as advice of any kind. HKJC shall not be liable to any person for any loss or damage suffered by such person as a result of any use or reliance of the above content or information.
HKJC shall not be required to give and does not give any warranty, whether express or implied, arising out of or in connection with the content or information. The Club disclaims any responsibility and accepts no liability (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) for any direct or indirect loss of damage arising from any inaccuracies, omission or typographical errors that may be contained therein. The Club also does not warrant the accuracy, completeness, timeliness or fitness for purpose of any such information.
Unknown territory for Goodwood Cup contender French Master
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Gosden hoping SWEET WILLIAM can shine back at Goodwood
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Unknown territory for Goodwood Cup contender French Master
Information provided by Racing & Sports
24/07/2025
Royal Ascot winner French Master will step into unknown territory as he takes on the two-mile test in the Group 1 Goodwood Cup at Glorious Goodwood.
A taking winner of a 1m6f handicap at Goodwood in late May for trainers John and Thady Gosden, the exciting four-year-old colt was snapped up in early June by owners Wathnan Racing in their search for Royal Ascot success.
The son of Frankel duly delivered on the international stage; proving an easy winner of the Copper Horse Handicap in first time blinkers, defeating the runner-up Caballo De Mar by an easy two-and-a-half lengths. Whilst the Copper Horse Handicap was only introduced to the Royal Ascot programme in 2020, it has already established itself as a race that produces top-quality stayers. The inaugural running of the contest produced subsequent Group 1 Irish St Leger second Fujaira Prince, and more recently, Vauban used the contest as a springboard for a Melbourne Cup bid, recording a Group 3 success en route to Australia.
The Goodwood Cup, acknowledged as a unique test within the staying division, will be the first time French Master attempts the two-mile trip or Group company, but connections are hopeful he can step up to the task.
John Gosden said: “I think the step up in trip will be within his range. The two miles of Goodwood is a little up and down, with twists and turns.
“I think he’s a horse who will rise to the occasion. He won in good style, but he’s going from a handicap in a rating band to a completely open Group 1.
“We’re hopeful he’ll run a good race. He did a little breeze with Sweet William yesterday. There wasn't much between them, nicely on the bridle, looking after each other. Sweet William was a neck up actually.
“We’re very much looking forward to running him and seeing the jump in class. The great thing is, if he doesn’t handle it, we can regroup on it.”
Since the retirement of star Kyprios, the staying division remains open, and the Goodwood Cup field reflects the shifting dynamics. French Master is set to join both up-and-coming horses and seasoned veterans in his first attempt over two miles, with a field of ten standing their ground at the five-day stage.
Ascot Gold Cup second Illinois, who will benefit from the return to two miles, is likely to head the contenders for Ballydoyle alongside stablemate Scandanavia but there are also familiar faces amongst the line-up – including French Master’s stablemate Sweet William and the evergreen Trueshan.
Important Notice:
Information is provided by the third-party provider and it is intended to be used for reference only. The content and information have not been verified or confirmed by The Hong Kong Jockey Club and/or its affiliates (together, the “HKJC”), and will not be used for dividend payout purposes. HKJC also do not make any representation or warranty about the timeliness, reliability or accuracy of any such information. The data, articles and other information on these pages are provided on an “as is” basis for information purposes only. None of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, its affiliates or any other person involved in or related to the compilation of such information guarantees its accuracy or reliability and accepts no liability (whether in tort or contract or otherwise) for any loss or damage arising from any inaccuracies or omissions.
Gosden hoping SWEET WILLIAM can shine back at Goodwood
Information provided by Racing & Sports
23/07/2025
John Gosden is hopeful that the return to Goodwood can see Sweet William back to his very best when he takes on the likes of Illinois in the Group 1 Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup.
Staged on day one of the Qatar Goodwood Festival, the Group 1 Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup looks set to throw up an exciting battle between some of the best stayers of the generation, with Illinois, French Master and Sweet William all in line to take their chance.
The latter has yet to taste top-level success in his career to date, having bumped into champion stayer Kyprios on three separate occasions last season, including when runner-up in last year’s renewal.
However, with the recently retired Kyprios now out of the equation and the return to Goodwood’s unique track a notable plus, John Gosden believes his six-year-old has what it takes to ‘run a huge race’ following his fourth-place finish over 4000m in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.
“He’s been in very good form,” said Gosden senior, who trains Sweet William with his son Thady. “He broke well at Ascot. He was up in what was a tough race. In the end, it was a little too far for him.
“He's a 3200m to 3600m horse, the 4000m was just a little bit too far for him, but he ran a brave race.
“He worked nicely yesterday. Rab Havlin rides him every day, he’s very pleased with him. And obviously, he knows Goodwood well, so back we go again.”
Gosden added: “We hope he’ll run a huge race; I assume Illinois is the focus horse if he comes, but the idiosyncrasies of the track amuse Sweet William, he rather likes it.
“The great thing about these old Cup horses is that they are there every year, like the top National Hunt horses. You get a huge following, and he certainly has that.”
Important Notice:
Information is provided by the third-party provider and it is intended to be used for reference only. The content and information have not been verified or confirmed by The Hong Kong Jockey Club and/or its affiliates (together, the “HKJC”), and will not be used for dividend payout purposes. HKJC also do not make any representation or warranty about the timeliness, reliability or accuracy of any such information. The data, articles and other information on these pages are provided on an “as is” basis for information purposes only. None of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, its affiliates or any other person involved in or related to the compilation of such information guarantees its accuracy or reliability and accepts no liability (whether in tort or contract or otherwise) for any loss or damage arising from any inaccuracies or omissions.