Ed Chamberlin reflects on the Qatar Goodwood Festival
Ed Chamberlin reflects on five key talking points both on and off the track after another dramatic Qatar Goodwood Festival.
1. Battaash lays down marker
Charlie Hills' charge produced the performance of the week in winning the King George Qatar Stakes for the second successive year. In fact it arguably rivals Alpha Cenaturi's Coronation Stakes demolition for performance of the season.
At the time it was breathtaking to watch and that was backed up by the clock. Any hose that can cover five furlongs at Goodwood in 56.5 seconds is a bit special. He did all this despite his draw and being taken wide by Take Cover. I absolutely loved Jim Crowley's quote afterwards when he described him as the "Batmobile".
Jim got a bit of criticism after Royal Ascot when Battaash didn't help him in the King's Stand Stakes. He burst out the stalls there and was very lit up having dwelt on his reappearance in the Temple Stakes. I can't image the thrill he gave him at Goodwood though and it sets up the Coolmore Nunthorpe at York brilliantly as he seeks revenge on his Berkshire conqueror Blue Point.
I'd imagine the Hills team are already planning on how to keep the lid on him during the preliminaries after he boiled over before the race last season. It's a very different test to Goodwood where the stables are just down the hill from the track and the pre-parade ring next to the paddock. I can't wait to see how it all unfolds.
2. Stradivarius on brink of million pound pay-out
I was stupid enough to oppose Stradivarius in the Qatar Goodwood Cup. I thought the overnight rain and the fact he finished lame after winning at Royal Ascot might count against him. It didn't. He produced a dominant performance against - with the notable exception of Torcedor - a fairly ordinary group of stayers.
He now heads to York for the Lonsdale Cup where victory would earn connections the £1million Weatherbys Hamillton bonus. Few would bet against him landing the cheque.
That's going to be a really good narrative for ITV Racing at York in what is shaping up to be a potentially epic meeting. It reaches a crescendo on Saturday with the £500,000 Sky Bet Ebor, but before that we have the likes of the Juddmonte International, Sky Bet Great Voltigeur, Al Basti Equiworld Gimcrack Stakes and Sky Bet Lowther to enjoy.
But for me the Darley Yorkshire Oaks is shaping up to be just about the race of the season and just imagine if you can add the magic of Enable to that mix too?
3. Record-breaker deserves more credit
The Mark Johnston juggernaut rolled on at Goodwood and it's good to see more and more talk of what he's about to achieve. He's closing in on Richard Hannon's record of 4,193 winners for a British trainer and while there's more racing nowadays, to do it in roughly 12 fewer years than the great trainer is quite extraordinary.
I pretended not to, but I did enjoy Luke Harvey and Jason Weaver's interviews at Goodwood, despite losing out in the popularity stakes to Francesca Cumani. That was down to being double-crossed by Hayley Turner despite the support of the charming, delightful, elegant and brave Bryony Frost.
Anyway, the interview with Mark showed a different side to the trainer, he was good fun. He deserves all the plaudits that are surely heading his way.
4. Hopes high Qatar deal will stay the course
It was a real thrill to be granted Sheikh Joaan Al Thani's first interview on national television and good to hear him state his affections for British racing - in particular Goodwood. It was therefore a surprise to hear him put some doubt over whether the break clause in the current 10-year sponsorship of the Qatar Goodwood Festival could be activated next year. He stressed it wasn't his decision and would be down to the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club.
It raised a few eyebrows worldwide but I was reassured by the calm reaction of Adam Waterworth, Managing Director of Godwood. He was very confident all would be fine and that the course was looking forward to working alongside the Qatar team for many years to come. Adam is an excellent operator and certainly seemed to have the situation well in hand.
5. Future in safe hands
Another big thrill was to getting the opportunity to interview the Duke Of Richmond in the private side of Goodwood House. I had to apologise to him for the inept performance of the two ITV players in the annual Lord March v Lord Taverners cricket match. Despite an intensive practice session with the Yorkshire boys at Headingley, Oli Bell and I managed a meagre contribution of six runs and a dropped catch between us.
We made amends with outstanding displays of dancing at the Goodwood Ball that had Craig Revel Horwood absolutely purring. Oli's Strictly Come Dancing dream remains alive - unlike his beleaguered cricket career.
I love the impact the various Dukes have had on the Goodwood Estate. Their sporting passions are evident from hunting and golf to motor sport. I was thrilled to meet his two eldest sons, who both absolutely love their racing. The sport at Goodwood will be in rude health for many years to come.
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