Dubai Future to renew rivalry with Illinois in Goodwood Cup
He missed the entirety of the 2024 season but has been in good form since his return to action in Dubai earlier in the year, with an unplaced run in the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier seemingly just a blip as he got back on track behind Trawlerman and Illinois in last month's two-and-a-half-mile Royal Ascot feature.
Saeed bin Suroor runs Dubai Future in the Goodwood Cup (Joe Giddens/PA)
'Dubai Future is in good form, he worked on Thursday and he's in very good form,' said bin Suroor.
'He had to take a little break, but he is doing very well as a nine-year-old, he settled well at Ascot and that was a good run in the Gold Cup.
'He's in very good condition and we're looking forward to getting him out again.'
Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore continue to prove irresistible @ChesterRaces as Illinois stamps his class on the Ormonde Stakes pic.twitter.com/ZaMdqP1vU3
— Ashley Iveson (@AshIveson) May 8, 2025
Dubai Future is one of eight runners declared for the showpiece event on day one of the Qatar Goodwood Festival and renews rivalry with Aidan O'Brien's Gold Cup runner-up Illinois, as well as John and Thady Gosden's fourth home Sweet William.
O'Brien has a second major contender in the form of runaway Bahrain Trophy winner Scandinavia, while the Gosdens fire a three-pronged assault, with the improving Copper Horse Stakes winner French Master and Military Academy also in the mix.
Alan King will be hoping for some ease in the ground for his 2021 Goodwood Cup hero Trueshan, with the field completed by the David Menuisier-trained Sunway, who tests his stamina over two miles for the first time after finishing fourth in the Hardwicke at the Royal meeting.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Rhyl Journal
27 minutes ago
- Rhyl Journal
Star-studded cast in the making for British Champions Day
This year the card has been extended to seven races with the addition of a two-year-old contest, while with the upgrade of the Long Distance Cup to Group One status there will be five top-level events for the first time and a record £4.35million in prize-money. The feature Qipco Champion Stakes sees recent King George winner Calandagan, Delacroix, Ombudsman, Los Angeles and last year's winner Anmaat among the 38 entries. Calandagan was second 12 months ago and his trainer Francis-Henri Graffard has also entered 2024 King George winner Goliath and the unbeaten Daryz. Karl Burke's Royal Champion was last seen impressing in the York Stakes, a win which has taken him up to a lofty rating of 120. 'He is now the highest-rated horse I've ever trained,' said Burke. 'Hopefully he can live up to that, he wouldn't want the ground too slow but if he remains in good form we'll head to Ascot for the Champion Stakes.' One name missing from the Champion Stakes is Field Of Gold, although he is one of the 38 in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. Queen Anne Stakes winner Docklands, Lockinge victor Lead Artist, Sussex Stakes winner Qirat and Sunday's Prix Rothschild heroine Fallen Angel are all QEII possibles. Fallen Angel's trainer Burke has a trip to Ireland in mind for her next, but Ascot is firmly in his sights. 'Fallen Angel has come out of her latest race in perfect condition. There's a good chance we head to Champions Day for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes,' he said. 'She'll have a trip to the Matron (Leopardstown) first, then to Newmarket for the Sun Chariot and then we could take on the big guns if she continues in good form. We'd fancy our chances if the ground came up on the slow side.' John and Thady Gosden's Gold Cup hero Trawlerman is one of 29 in the British Champions Long Distance Cup for an increased pot of £500,000. Stablemates Courage Mon Ami, Sweet William and French Master also feature. Recent Goodwood Cup one-two Scandinavia and Illinois as well as Jan Brueghel are all possibles for Aidan O'Brien who struck last year with Kyprios. There are 53 in contention for the British Champions Sprint Stakes with Royal Ascot winner Lazzat topping the bill. He could be joined by fellow French-trained entries such as Beauvatier, Daylight, Topgear and Woodshauna. Dockland's trainer Harry Eustace has entered Commonwealth Cup winner Time For Sandals after her good effort over five furlongs at Goodwood last week. 'Time For Sandals won over six at Ascot, so it makes sense to give her an entry,' he said. 'How she runs next time out will determine if she goes, she's had quite a long season, because we prepped her up like she might be a Guineas filly, so she's not a definite just yet. 'However, if she wins her next start, it will be really hard not to go there. Having one horse going there is a proud moment, but having two would be extremely exciting.'
Rhyl Journal
32 minutes ago
- Rhyl Journal
Scandinavia and Lambourn lead 26 St Leger hopefuls
Aidan O'Brien dominates the potential field numerically with 11 possible runners hailing from his Ballydoyle yard. Justify colt Scandinavia has been a relatively late bloomer, finishing fifth to Carmers in the Queen's Vase at Ascot before winning the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket. He stepped into open company at Goodwood last week and despite being overlooked by Ryan Moore in favour of Illinois, ran out the winner. His dual Derby-winning stablemate Lambourn would be another huge player if he turns up, as would Whirl, winner of last week's Nassau Stakes over 10 furlongs at Goodwood. Galveston, Oaks victor Minnie Hauk, Mount Kilimanjaro, Puppet Master, Saratoga, Shackleton, Stay True and Thrice are other Ballydoyle possibles. Carmers could have a trip to Yorkshire before his big day, with Paddy Twomey considering the Great Voltigeur Stakes for his prep – or he could stay closer to home. 'if he runs (beforehand) it will be either in the Great Voltigeur or the Vinnie Roe (at Leopardstown) and then the Leger,' said Twomey. 'Those two races are within a day of each other so we'll see which race looks more suitable.' Other notable entries include Charlie Johnston's Lazy Griff, placed in the Derby at Epsom and the Irish equivalent, Tennessee Stud and Arabian Force. Gordon Stakes victor Merchant was not entered by William Haggas.
Glasgow Times
32 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
Scandinavia and Lambourn lead 26 St Leger hopefuls
Aidan O'Brien dominates the potential field numerically with 11 possible runners hailing from his Ballydoyle yard. Justify colt Scandinavia has been a relatively late bloomer, finishing fifth to Carmers in the Queen's Vase at Ascot before winning the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket. He stepped into open company at Goodwood last week and despite being overlooked by Ryan Moore in favour of Illinois, ran out the winner. His dual Derby-winning stablemate Lambourn would be another huge player if he turns up, as would Whirl, winner of last week's Nassau Stakes over 10 furlongs at Goodwood. Galveston, Oaks victor Minnie Hauk, Mount Kilimanjaro, Puppet Master, Saratoga, Shackleton, Stay True and Thrice are other Ballydoyle possibles. Carmers could have a trip to Yorkshire before his big day, with Paddy Twomey considering the Great Voltigeur Stakes for his prep – or he could stay closer to home. 'if he runs (beforehand) it will be either in the Great Voltigeur or the Vinnie Roe (at Leopardstown) and then the Leger,' said Twomey. 'Those two races are within a day of each other so we'll see which race looks more suitable.' Other notable entries include Charlie Johnston's Lazy Griff, placed in the Derby at Epsom and the Irish equivalent, Tennessee Stud and Arabian Force. Gordon Stakes victor Merchant was not entered by William Haggas.
