Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup (Group 1) – Tuesday 28 July
19 runners have been entered for the £500,000 Group 1 Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup over two miles on Tuesday 28 July, with a highly anticipated rematch between Ascot Gold Cup protagonists Scandinavia and Trawlerman set to headline the contest.
Aidan O’Brien’s Scandinavia could return to the Sussex Downs as defending champion. The son of Justify captured this race as a three-year-old last July before adding further Group 1 victories in the Betfred St Leger at Doncaster and last week’s Ascot Gold Cup. His latest success brought O’Brien a record-extending 10th Gold Cup and provided the Ballydoyle handler with a landmark 100th winner at Royal Ascot. Now unbeaten in six starts, the Coolmore-owned colt has established himself at the head of the staying division and could bid to enhance that reputation further.
Narrowly denied in a dramatic finish at Ascot was John and Thady Gosden’s Trawlerman, who made all on his seasonal return before being caught inside the final furlong by his younger rival. The Godolphin-owned and bred eight-year-old, winner of the 2025 Gold Cup and the Group 1 Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot last October, boasts the highest official rating among the entries at 122 and could bid for revenge with that comeback run under his belt.
The Gosdens have also entered fan favourite Sweet William, owned and bred by Phillipa Cooper’s Normandie Stud, who finished third in both last week’s Gold Cup and last year’s Goodwood Cup. Stablemates Gregory and French Master, representing Wathnan Racing, add further strength to a yard that has enjoyed success at the Qatar Goodwood Festival in recent seasons.
O’Brien could field a formidable team beyond Scandinavia. Illinois, runner-up in last year’s Goodwood Cup and a multiple Group 1-placed performer, is among the entries as he seeks a first top-level victory. He is joined by dual Group 1 winner Jan Brueghel, successful in the 2024 St Leger and 2025 Coronation Cup, while three-year-olds Causeway and Pierre Bonnard complete a potential five-strong Ballydoyle challenge.
Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum’s Rahiebb, the highest-rated four-year-old among the entries on 116, could add further quality to the line-up for trainer Roger Varian. The progressive Amiloc, a dual Goodwood winner for Ralph Beckett, and George Scott’s Group 1 scorer Caballo De Mar are both rated 115 and feature among the entries.
Elsewhere, Charlie Johnston’s German-bred Lazy Griff and Joseph O’Brien’s 2025 Irish St Leger hero Al Riffa feature among a strong list of entries for what could prove to be a fascinating renewal of the Goodwood Cup. Godolphin’s veteran stayer Dubai Future, trained by Saeed bin Suroor, could add further depth to the field, while Paddy Twomey’s Carmers strengthens the Irish challenge.
The prospect of another clash between Scandinavia and Trawlerman adds further intrigue to what could be a vintage renewal of the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup.
Visit Qatar Nassau Stakes (Group 1) – Thursday 30 July
36 fillies and mares have been entered for the £600,000 Group 1 Visit Qatar Nassau Stakes over 1m 10f on Thursday 30 July, headed by the season’s two Oaks-winning heroines and a strong contingent of established older performers. With Classic-generation talent set to clash with a deep and accomplished older-mare division, the stage is set for a compelling renewal of Goodwood’s premier middle-distance contest for fillies and mares.
Unbeaten in five starts, Aidan O’Brien’s Diamond Necklace is among the headline entries for the contest. The filly has looked a standout performer in France this season and would command plenty of respect should she take her chance after dominant victories in both the French 1,000 Guineas and Prix de Diane.
Another leading contender from the Classic generation could be Joseph O’Brien’s Thundering On, the daughter of Frankel who powered three and three-quarter lengths clear of Legacy Link in last month's Betfred Oaks at Epsom. Owned by Shapoor Mistry and partnered by Dylan Browne McMonagle, she could bid to build on that Classic success and further enhance her growing reputation among the season’s leading three-year-old fillies.
The 2026 Oaks form is well represented among the entries. Runner-up Legacy Link holds an engagement for Juddmonte following her Musidora Stakes success at York, while Oaks third Sugar Island, Cheshire Oaks winner Amelia Earhart and Lingfield Oaks Trial scorer Cameo feature among Aidan O’Brien’s potential team.
Ballydoyle could be strongly represented, with ten entries in total. Irish 1,000 Guineas heroine Precise is among those who could represent the Irish powerhouse alongside Beautify, Composing, Drop Dead Gorgeous and Moments Of Joy. Venetian Lace, third in this season’s 1,000 Guineas for Charlie Johnston and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, could add further Classic depth to the field.
The transition from the Classic generation to the older ranks is highlighted by Minnie Hauk, who heads a strong older-mare contingent alongside Fallen Angel and Estrange. Minnie Hauk, whose outstanding three-year-old campaign featured victories in the Oaks, Irish Oaks and Yorkshire Oaks before a narrow defeat in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, is among the entries as she continues her promising four-year-old campaign, last seen finishing second in a stellar renewal of the Group 1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes against the colts.
Karl Burke’s Fallen Angel, now racing in the colours of Wathnan Racing, has amassed five Group 1 victories, including Classic honours in the 2024 Irish 1,000 Guineas. Estrange, trained by David O’Meara, has emerged as one of the leading older fillies and mares in training and could seek a breakthrough top-level success after two Group 1 runner-up efforts last season.
Among those who could also line up is Friendly Soul, the 2024 Prix de l’Opéra winner for John and Thady Gosden and owner-breeder George Strawbridge. Having missed the entirety of the 2025 campaign through injury, she has endured a frustrating return to action but could bid to add to her Group 1 tally should she take her chance at Goodwood.
Other notable entries include Andrew Balding’s See The Fire, who finished third in last year’s Nassau Stakes before producing a series of high-class performances at the highest level. Godolphin’s Diamond Rain, trained by Charlie Appleby, is another prominent name among the entries, while the progressive Blue Bolt enhanced her credentials with victory in the Group 2 Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot for Balding and Juddmonte.
International interest could come from Cankoura, trained by Francis-Henri Graffard for the Aga Khan Studs, alongside fellow French-trained contenders Lapotheose and Modern Light. Other notable entries include Wemightakedlongway, runner-up in the 2025 Irish Oaks for Joseph O’Brien; Juddmonte’s Faiyum from the yard of Ger Lyons; One Look, trained by Paddy Twomey for Wathnan Racing; and Donnacha O’Brien’s Balantina.
With a host of high-class older mares holding entries alongside many of the leading fillies from this season’s Classic generation, the Visit Qatar Nassau Stakes has the potential to be one of the strongest renewals of recent years.
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