Latest news with #AlShaqabGoodwoodCupStakes
Tourism Breaking News
9 hours ago
- Business
- Tourism Breaking News
Visit Qatar gears up for the first edition as Title Sponsor of The ‘Qatar Goodwood Festival presented by Visit Qatar 2025'
Post Views: 16 Visit Qatar participates as the official title sponsor of Qatar Goodwood Festival presented by Visit Qatar 2025 in West Sussex, United Kingdom. The event is a highlight of the British horseracing calendar and reflects Qatar's continued interest in being part of the international sporting calendar, as well as its long-standing relationship with Goodwood Racecourse. The festival is known for being a prestigious event that attracts world-class horses and jockeys, as well as equestrian and fashion enthusiasts from around the world. An official delegation from Visit Qatar is in attendance, along with representatives from the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club and key figures from the UK's tourism and horse racing industries. This year's event will also feature Qatari thoroughbreds, reflecting Qatar's rich equestrian heritage. The 2025 edition will feature 13 group races, including three Group-1 events, along with curated daily experiences for guests. Visit Qatar has exclusive sponsorship of Group 1 and Group 2 races, including the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup Stakes (July 29), the Qatar International Stakes and the Visit Qatar Sussex Stakes (July 30), the Qatar Nassau Stakes, the King George Qatar Stakes (August 1), and the Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes (August 2). Key areas across the festival, including the Richmond and Lennox enclosures, will be adorned with Visit Qatar branding, reinforcing the brand's presence throughout the event. Highlights of the sponsorship include a dedicated hospitality pavilion that showcases authentic Qatari culture and serves as a platform to connect with international partners and tourism industry players. Visit Qatar's VIP Pavilion will host business partners, embassy representatives, Racing and Equestrian Club guests, as well as UK stakeholders and invited influencers. The sponsorship aligns with Visit Qatar's broader strategy to raise brand visibility in key international markets, strengthen ties with global tourism and sports stakeholders, and position Qatar as a leading destination for prestigious events.
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
Qatar Goodwood Festival presented by Visit Qatar kicks off
The Qatar Goodwood Festival presented by Visit Qatar has officially commenced, with the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup Stakes (Group 1) marking the first of several Visit Qatar-sponsored races during the event. A world-class field of 8 elite runners from leading international stables took part in the two-mile race, delivering an exhilarating showdown on the Goodwood Racecourse. Scandinavia claimed victory in a hard-fought finish. The trophy was presented by His Excellency Mr. Saad Bin Ali AlKharji, Chairman of Qatar Tourism and Chair of the Board of Directors of Visit Qatar. Beyond the track, Visit Qatar is bringing the spirit of Qatar to West Sussex through an interactive experience designed to showcase Qatar's hospitality, unique culture, and tourism offerings to international festival goers. Guests visiting the Visit Qatar activation are welcomed with traditional refreshments including Arabic coffee and dates. Immersive visual elements throughout the space highlight Qatar's diverse tourism offerings, using striking imagery and compelling storytelling to inspire travel and bring the destination to life. The Qatar Goodwood Festival presented by Visit Qatar continues throughout the week with more headline races, including the Qatar International Stakes, the highly anticipated Visit Qatar Sussex Stakes, the Qatar Nassau Stakes, and the King George Qatar Stakes, and the Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes on the final day. Visit Qatar is proud to continue supporting world-class equestrian sport while spotlighting the country's growing global appeal as a leading travel destination. For media-related inquiries, please contact Visit Qatar's Press Office on: pressoffice@ About Visit Qatar Visit Qatar is the main arm of Qatar Tourism. Visit Qatar's mission is to promote and expand tourism in Qatar by cultivating its rich culture, developing thrilling attractions, enhancing Qatar's calendar, becoming the leading MICE destination in the region, diversifying events and luxury experiences. Visit Qatar is rooted in Service Excellence, boosting the entire tourism value chain, and increasing local and international visitor demand in Qatar. Through Visit Qatar's network of international offices in priority markets, cutting-edge digital platforms, and marketing campaigns, Visit Qatar is expanding Qatar's presence globally and enhancing the tourism sector. Web: About Qatar Goodwood Festival presented by Visit Qatar The Qatar Goodwood Festival presented by Visit Qatar is one of the undisputed highlights of the British flat racing season. The world-famous five-day festival is a sporting and social occasion like no other, unrivalled style, superb racing, and hospitality experiences to savour mean it's not to be missed. The 2025 Qatar Goodwood Festival presented by Visit Qatar, takes place from Tuesday 29 July to Saturday 2 August. The week is headed by three Group 1 races, including the £500,000 Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup (2m), the £1 million Visit Qatar Sussex Stakes (1m), and the £600,000 Qatar Nassau Stakes (1m2f). Tickets, dining, and hospitality are on sale. Visit to find out more.
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
Scandinavia sees off Illinois for Ballydoyle one-two in Goodwood Cup
Scandinavia got the better of stablemate Illinois in a thrilling finish to the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup Stakes, in a race overshadowed by a fatal injury to the veteran Trueshan. The Aidan O'Brien -trained stable companions dominated the betting, so while Scandinavia was discarded by Ryan Moore, Wayne Lordan's mount was still only a 4-1 shot following his victory in the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket. Illinois attempted to make all but Scandinavia drew upsides over a furlong out and the two had it between them, with the concession of 14lb ultimately proving too much for Moore's mount, who went down by three-quarters of a length. French Master stayed on for a never-nearer third. O'Brien immediately signalled the St Leger at Doncaster as the big aim for his winner. READ MORE 'Wayne gave him a lovely ride – in the race at Ascot [Queen's Vase] he was trapped six wide all the way and, then at Newmarket Ryan said he felt like a very good horse,' he said. 'Illinois went out there in front and looked to have the race won, but then the other horse got him. 'We went to the Gold Cup [with Illinois] without a preparation and I know we haven't seen the best of him. 'Scandinavia is a typical Justify, he just won't lie down, he puts his head down and won't be beaten. 'Lambourn didn't go to the King George as we had one eye on York for him. It's all out in the open and this horse is ready made for the Leger, which is where he will go. 'He [Scandinavia] travelled very well through the race, he has a great mind. Lambourn can go for the Voltigeur and then maybe for the Arc.' O'Brien was also pleased with the performance of the runner-up, feeling his best is still to come. He added: 'I thought Ryan did everything perfect today on Illinois. He was out there and had the race won, and then the other horse just came and got him. 'I don't think we've seen the best of Illinois yet because I think we went to the Gold Cup a year too early and his preparation wasn't right to win a Gold Cup. 'He ran an unbelievable race, and he'll have the rest of the season, but often when that happens it can stop the progression you would really want to come. I really think we haven't seen the best of him yet.' Alan King's hugely popular Trueshan, winner of the race in 2021, was pulled up sharply by Hollie Doyle at halfway, with news sadly emerging his injury had proved to be a fatal one.
RTÉ News
2 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Progressive Scandinavia outduels Illinois in Goodwood Cup
Scandinavia got the better of stablemate Illinois in a thrilling finish to the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup Stakes, in a race overshadowed by a fatal injury to the veteran Trueshan. The Aidan O'Brien-trained stable companions dominated the betting, so while Scandinavia was discarded by Ryan Moore, Wayne Lordan's mount was still only a 4-1 shot following his victory in the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket. Illinois attempted to make all but Scandinavia drew upsides over a furlong out and the two had it between them, with the concession of 14lb ultimately proving too much for Moore's mount, who went down by three-quarters of a length. French Master stayed on for a never-nearer third. A new staying star. Scandinavia becomes the first three-year-old since the great Stradivarius to win the Group 1 Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup, landing our £500,000 feature for @waynemlordan and Aidan O'Brien @Q_REC — Goodwood Racecourse (@Goodwood_Races) July 29, 2025 O'Brien immediately signalled the St Leger at Doncaster as the big aim for his winner. "Wayne gave him a lovely ride – in the race at Ascot (Queen's Vase) he was trapped six wide all the way and then at Newmarket Ryan said he felt like a very good horse," he said. "Illinois went out there in front and looked to have the race won, but then the other horse got him. "We went to the Gold Cup (with Illinois) without a preparation and I know we haven't seen the best of him. "Scandinavia is a typical Justify, he just won't lie down, he puts his head down and won't be beaten. "Lambourn didn't go to the King George as we had one eye on York for him. It's all out in the open and this horse is ready made for the Leger, which is where he will go." Alan King's hugely popular Trueshan, winner of the race in 2021, was pulled up sharply by Hollie Doyle at halfway, with news sadly emerging his injury had proved to be a fatal one. Eve Johnson Houghton's Zavateri gamely maintained his unbeaten record when defying a penalty in holding off Morris Dancer in the Coral Vintage Stakes. A surprise winner of the July Stakes at Newmarket, he was 8-1 for this Group Two affair, mainly due to the fact he was carrying 3lb more than such promising types as Humidity and Dorset. Charlie Bishop still had five in front of him with two furlongs to run, but when the gap came he shot through it and while immediately challenged by John and Thady Gosden's Morris Dancer, he stuck his neck out and had his head in the right place on the line. The Ed Walker-trained Do Or Do Not placed yet again in third. One of the stars of the season strikes again! Zavateri makes it three from three and strikes for more Group 2 glory in a thrilling renewal of the £175,000 @Coral Vintage Stakes for @johnsonhoughton — Goodwood Racecourse (@Goodwood_Races) July 29, 2025 "After Newmarket I didn't know where to go because when you have a 3lb penalty it's damn hard," said Johnson Houghton. "It was either come here or wait until Doncaster, but so glad we did. He had to win his race twice after cutting through them like a knife through butter. "I put him in the Mill Reef this morning, but that's out of the question now as we will head for the Dewhurst, with the Jean-Luc Lagardere as a back up. "He's never had to tough it out at home, but he did today. What a dude he is, just a lovely, lovely horse." Hollie Doyle was at her brilliant best to steer Witness Stand to HKJC World Pool Lennox Stakes success and give Dr Richard Newland and Jamie Insole a marquee Group Two victory. There was early drama as Ralph Beckett's race regular and leading fancy Kinross was withdrawn at the start after receiving a kick, while Ed Walker's Royal Ascot winner Noble Champion was eased down and pulled up early into the piece. However, Doyle avoided any complications as she latched Witness Stand on to the small cluster to go forward from start, always in the slipstream of customary front-runner Quinault and defending champion Audience. It looked momentarily like Audience would recreate last year's heroics, but the 25-1 winner found plenty in reserve inside the final furlong to gallop home two-and-three-quarter-lengths clear of William Haggas' Lake Forest, the only runner to emerge from the chasing pack late on. A landmark winner for @UrloxheyStables! Witness Stand strikes in the £180,000 Group 2 @HKJC_Racing @WorldPool Lennox Stakes under @HollieDoyle1. Many congratulations to the Jamie Insole and Dr Richard Newland training partnership — Goodwood Racecourse (@Goodwood_Races) July 29, 2025 Insole said: "As a trainer you wait your whole life for a good horse and to win the Lennox is pretty incredible. "We bought him for a hundred grand and felt he'd gone under the radar as there were higher offers for him that came our way afterwards. I already had this race in mind for him. "It was his Chester run (second in a Listed race) that gave us the confidence to come here, and when I saw the rain this morning and the slower ground I knew it would be to his advantage."
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Scandinavia sees off Illinois for Ballydoyle one-two in Goodwood Cup
Scandinavia got the better of stablemate Illinois in a thrilling finish to the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup Stakes, in a race overshadowed by a fatal injury to the veteran Trueshan. The Aidan O'Brien-trained stable companions dominated the betting, so while Scandinavia was discarded by Ryan Moore, Wayne Lordan's mount was still only a 4-1 shot following his victory in the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket. Illinois attempted to make all but Scandinavia drew upsides over a furlong out and the two had it between them, with the concession of 14lb ultimately proving too much for Moore's mount, who went down by three-quarters of a length. French Master stayed on for a never-nearer third. O'Brien immediately signalled the St Leger at Doncaster as the big aim for his winner. "Wayne gave him a lovely ride — in the race at Ascot (Queen's Vase) he was trapped six wide all the way and then at Newmarket Ryan said he felt like a very good horse," he said. "Illinois went out there in front and looked to have the race won, but then the other horse got him. "We went to the Gold Cup (with Illinois) without a preparation and I know we haven't seen the best of him. "Scandinavia is a typical Justify, he just won't lie down, he puts his head down and won't be beaten. "Lambourn didn't go to the King George as we had one eye on York for him. It's all out in the open and this horse is ready made for the Leger, which is where he will go." Alan King's hugely popular Trueshan, winner of the race in 2021, was pulled up sharply by Hollie Doyle at halfway, with news sadly emerging his injury had proved to be a fatal one.
