A Glorious Goodwood Through the lens of Harry Herbert

Merchant makes waves at Glorious Goodwood

Harry Herbert

Prolific Richmond Stakes (Gr 2) Goodwood 2008

Distinction Gold Cup 2005

I have always loved Glorious Goodwood and remember watching my father’s top stayer Little Wolf win the Goodwood Cup in 1983, breaking the course record in the process. He had previously stormed to victory in the Ascot Gold Cup — another wonderful moment in my racing memory bank!

Goodwood has also been a happy hunting ground since I started Highclere. We have won the Richmond Stakes (Gr. 2) with Prolific, the Goodwood Cup with Distinction, and this year we were thrilled to bits to win our second Gordon Stakes (Gr. 3) with Merchant, who followed in the footsteps of the mighty Harbinger, who won the race in 2009.

Harbinger wins the Gordon Stakes (Gr 3) in 2009

Merchant Gordon Stakes (Gr 3) 2025

I’ve been so spoilt to stay each year with the Duke and Duchess of Richmond at Goodwood House, where the Duke mixes friends with businesspeople, creating an atmosphere that is incredibly exciting but at the same time very relaxing. To start your day with a “dome-lifting” breakfast followed by a trip down to the car track — to drive or be driven in a Ferrari, Rolls, or McLaren at great speed — is exhilarating, to say the least! Then it’s time to get suited and booted for the races, with lunch in the Richmond Box before it all kicks off.

Arriving on the Thursday in fabulous sunshine gave everyone a false sense of security about what was to come. There was talk of storms hitting the course in the early afternoon, but so often these can pass by the track. Merchant’s race was due off at 2:30 p.m., so I left the dining area just before 2 p.m. to head down to the parade ring to meet up with many of his owners. A large contingent was expected — which was fantastic — and we managed to get everyone sorted with appropriate badges to see their beautiful son of Teofilo do battle.

As I looked out at that incredible view across the Sussex Downs, I saw what I can only describe as an apocalyptic sight — pitch-black clouds hurtling towards the grandstand! The wind hit first, followed by monsoon-style rain. Umbrellas were uprooted, and chairs went flying too as the storm struck — all this followed by loud screams as ladies’ hats flew away and dresses were ruined by the lashing water!

Merchant cool as ice in the pre parade ring

A soggy but smiling Tom Marquand

Alex, Emily and Frances were caught in the pre-parade ring and, despite huddling under the only tree, were soon drenched. We all eventually made it to the parade ring to be joined by William and Maureen, dressed perfectly for the storm with proper waterproof coats and hats. Tom Marquand joined briefly — those lovely Highclere silks already turning a darker shade as the rain soaked through.
“He’s in great form at home,” William said to the team, “but whether he’ll handle this, I don’t know.” Tom nodded in agreement — the nerves went to the next level for the rest of us.

We huddled just outside the weighing room as the storm continued to rage and watched on the screen as the horses went to post in appalling conditions.
“Will they stop the race, Harry?” a press man asked me.
I shrugged my shoulders, though I really believed it was highly unlikely, even as a clap of thunder deafened racegoers.

We watched as the horses slowly made their way to the mile-and-a-half start. And then suddenly they were under starter’s orders — and off from a flag start, with no commentary from where we were! Presumably, the stalls were sinking into the track, so the old-fashioned flag start was implemented.

“He’s too far back,” I said to no one in particular.
“Tom knows what he’s doing,” Alex said — though not in a totally convincing way!

And then, bit by bit, as they entered the straight, Merchant began to reel in the leaders — but he still had work to do to catch the resolute Wimbledon Hawkeye. Inside the final furlong, it was a two-horse race, with the rest trailing seven lengths behind. Merchant just wouldn’t be denied — and at the line, was he…?

We waited for the announcer:
“Here is the result of the photograph — first, number 2, Merchant.”

The screams of delight could have been heard back at HTR HQ — and then those unforgettable scenes that only owning a winner of a historic Group race can create. Everyone was hugging and kissing — to hell with getting wet!

Tom dismounted and shook his head, looking at Merchant, who was loving all the attention.
“He is so brave — he hated the ground. He was spinning his wheels all the way, Harry. He’s won this on sheer guts and ability. He is some horse!”

A glass or two of champagne followed — courtesy of Goodwood — in the winners’ room, where we watched again and again a race that pulled on every emotion.

We are lucky to have a very special colt who, provided he comes out of this gruelling event well, will head next to the Great Voltigeur (Gr. 2) at York.

“I don’t want to run him in the Leger,” William said to me, “but if he won the Voltigeur, I’ll be asking you to consider supplementing him for the Arc.”

Dreams are made of this, that’s for sure.
Harbinger and now Merchant — not to be mentioned in the same breath just yet, perhaps — but you never know. And as a four-year-old, he honestly could be anything.

Onwards!!

Merchant and Tom Marquand paddle their way into the winners enclosure!