Written by Melissa Bauer-Herzog
The first two days of the Goodwood Festival kicks off in style.
Day one, beginning in the small hours of Wednesday morning, sees a match-up between Zoustar’s half-brother and Champion Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in the G1 Goodwood Cup.
The second day on Thursday sees the milers start in the G1 Qatar Sussex S., led by three runners with Australian connections.
Sun looks for Group 1
Race 4, G1 Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup, 12.35am AEST, Wednesday
Australian mare Zouzou (Redoute’s Choice) hopes to see another son win a Group 1 when stakes-winning Emperor Of The Sun (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) lines up in the G1 Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup over 3200 metres. The colt is a half-brother to multiple Group 1 winner and successful sire Zoustar among Zouzou’s five winners from seven to race with three of those winners coming in Australia. Among those under Emperor Of The Sun’s second dam are Australian Group 2 winner Dusty Star (General Nediym) and Group 3 winner Testashadow (Testa Rossa).
The most successful stayer in Europe, Stradivarius goes for his fifth Goodwood Cup win in this edition. He is out of a half-sister to Australian stakes-placed Pirate Bay (GB) (Hawk Wing {USA}), the grandam of G1 Melbourne Cup winner Protectionist (Ger) and the dam of Australian stakes-placed Soviet Courage (Ire) (Dutch Art {GB}).
Toronado representative looks for first stakes win
Race 2, G2 Unibet Lennox S., 12am AEST, Wednesday
Looking for his first stakes victory after multiple placings, Khuzaam (USA) (Kitten’s Joy {USA}) lines up in the G2 Unibet Lennox S. over 1400 metres. The gelding’s grandam is also the great-grandam of both G1 Sydney Cup winner Shraaoh (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and his Group 2-winning full brother Raheen House (Ire).
Toronado’s (Ire) Group 3-placed Toro Strike (USA) is looking for his first stakes win in this race. The 4-year-old colt is out of Grade 3 winner and multiple Grade 1-placed Scarlet Strike (USA) (Smart Strike {Can}), who is the half-sister to Grade 1 winners Tara’s Tango (USA) (Unbridled’s Song {USA}) and Visonaire (USA) (Grand Slam {USA}).
Zhang Yusheng sends out the Jessica Harrington-trained Real Appeal (Ger) by Sidestep in this race. The 4-year-old gelding won a Group 3 in Ireland last out and is looking for his third overall stakes victory.
Australian Connections: Goodwood Day 2
Bassett aims for another Group 1 winner
Race 4, G1 Qatar Sussex S., 12.35am AEST, Thursday
The 7-year-old Century Dream (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}) is searching for his first Group 1 success in the Qatar Sussex S. on Wednesday. The entire is from the family of Australian stakes winner Dubai Escapade (Dubai Destination {USA}), whose dam Ployandry (USA) (Storm Cat {USA}) was sent to Australia in 2006 and had three foals in the country.
As Wootton Bassett (GB) prepares for his first Australian season at stud, his Group 2-winning son Chindit (Fr) tries to become the sire’s newest Group 1 winner. Chindit is from the family of G1 Epsom Derby winner Motivator (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) and dual Group 1 winner Wavering Monarch (USA) (Majestic Light {USA}) among others.
Snow Lantern (GB) (Frankel {GB}) looks for her second straight Group 1 in the Sussex S. after securing her first one last out. Her dam Sky Lantern’s (Ire) (Red Clubs {Ire}) half-sister Scarlet Empire (Ire) (Red Ransom {USA}) is the dam of Danchai (GB) (Authorized {Ire}), who won the Ipswich Cup and was multiple Group-placed during his time in Australia.
Vadream looks for Group win
Race 2, G3 Whispering Angel Oak Tree S., 11.25pm AEST, Wednesday
Brazen Beau’s Vadream (GB) has been placed in multiple Group races and is searching for her first Group win in the G3 Whispering Angel Oak Tree S. over 1400 metres. The filly is also a half-sister to the stakes-placed Mirage Hero (GB) (Due Diligence {USA}) and is out of a half-sister to multiple Australian stakes winner Big Duke (Ire) (Raven’s Pass {USA}) from the family of the Emma Church-trained Haripour (Ire) (Shamardal {USA}).
Cable Bay (Ire) is represented in this race by his stakes winner Jouska (GB). A half-sister to the stakes-placed Wasim (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), the filly is out of a half-sister to stakes winner and Group 2-placed Silk Forest (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}).
Exceed And Excel’s Group 3 winner Sacred (Ire) is searching for another Group win in this race. The filly is out of a half-sister to US Champion Lady Eli (USA) (Divine Park {USA}) and multiple Grade 3 winner Bizzy Caroline (USA) (Afleet Alex {USA}) in addition to American Pharoah (USA) Grade 3-placed Princesa Caroline (USA).
Belardo (Ire) has a pair in this race in Isabella Giles (Ire) and Lullaby Moon (GB). Isabella Giles is one of two Group winners for her Group 3-winning dam Majestic Dubawi (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) from the family of Champion Lope Y Fernandez (Ire). Lullaby Moon is out of a half-sister to two stakes-placed runners, including the dam of former Hong Kong runner Sea The Pearls (GB) (Indesatchel {Ire}).
Passionova (Ire) (Bated Breath {GB}) is out of a half-sister to the dam of G1 Tattersall’s Tiara winner Pear Tart (Dehere {USA}), who is also the dam of Group 2-placed Italia Bella (Fastnet Rock). Pear Tart’s dam was imported to Australia in 2003 with Pear Tart her fifth of 13 Australian-bred foals. Pear Tart has a yearling full sister to Italia Bella and was bred to Yes Yes Yes for 2021.
Out of a half-sister to the late Rip Van Winkle (Ire) is Pride Of Dubai’s Star Of Emaraaty (Ire). Star Of Emaraaty’s dam is also a half-sister to the dam of former Australian runner Fleet Review (USA) (War Front {USA}) who raced for Alex Rae in early 2020 before retiring.
