ON THE TRACK
Merchant puts in a performance of a lifetime to land the Gordon Stakes (Gr 3) at a rain soaked Glorious Goodwood 31.07.25
Frances De Haan
MERCHANT RAINS SUPREME AT GLORIOUS GOODWOOD
It has been a busy and rewarding month on the track, with our team of horses producing no shortage of action and success for our owners. From Group winners at major festival meetings to numerous two-year-olds getting off the mark in style, it really has been a fantastic few weeks to remember.
Most notable was Merchant’s continued winning form after Royal Ascot, with an emphatic victory in the Gordon Stakes (Gr. 3) at Glorious Goodwood. This horse gave new meaning to the phrase “storming to victory” as he bravely battled through torrential rain, thunder, and lightning to deny Wimbledon Hawkeye by a nose in a thrilling duel to the line. Tom Marquand gave him a flawless ride in beyond-testing conditions, where the weather forced a flag start rather than the usual stalls due to lightning, far from ideal. Afterwards, both Tom and William Haggas praised Merchant’s class and determination to win despite clearly unsuitable conditions.
A hugely rewarding (if soggy) day, and one the owners will not forget in a hurry. Click here to read a wonderful first-hand account from one of Merchant’s owners recounting their experience of the day.
There is no doubt Merchant is a serious horse with a serious future. All being well he could head to France next for the Prix Niel (Gr. 2) at Longchamp in September. Exciting times ahead!
Merchant and Tom Maquand make their way into the winners enclosure at ‘Glorious’ Goodwood 31.07.25
Another three-year-old winner was Respond, who went one better this time out to win by two lengths at Haydock last week. Oisin Murphy was highly complementary afterwards, saying he felt the colt had plenty of ability, encouraging words to hear.
Respond has taken a step forward with every run, and this win was thoroughly deserved as our belief in him came to fruition. Harry and Emily have since seen him at Kingsclere, and Harry reports that he has really come into his own and stands up as a very strong model. Andrew hopes he will head to Ascot next for a 0–95 handicap during the first week of September. He is a talented horse who is progressing the right way, and there is likely plenty more to come.
Respond gets his head in front in a 6f maiden stakes at Haydock 09.08.25
Defiance kicked off a thrilling week at Glorious Goodwood by putting in a bold performance in the first race on the opening day of the festival, finishing a respectable third in the Chesterfield Cup. He looked the part in the parade ring, and Roger was quietly confident about his chances despite a competitive line up. Silvestre de Sousa guided him smoothly into mid-division before it became clear he could not sustain the pace. However, he showed gritty determination, gaining on the runner-up with every stride and he was only just denied second by a head. He holds some valuable entries in the coming weeks, and it will be exciting to see which one he takes up.
There has been no stopping our string of two-year-olds, who have quite literally been flying out of the starting gates. Most notably, our Mehmas filly Awaken followed up her second place run in the Albany Stakes (Gr. 3) with a classy display at Leicester. While the contest perhaps was not as challenging as at Royal Ascot, Awaken learned plenty by making all under a stylish ride from Billy Loughnane who was full of praise for her. George Boughey was delighted, and we now raise our sights to loftier targets and potential Group company in September.
Next off the mark was Concert, who played all the right notes at Yarmouth in a fillies' maiden over 6f, winning by a short head and denying the Roger Varian-trained Coconut Grove in the process. Concert showed talent and promise on debut when finishing second at Newbury, and so it was fantastic to see her do one better next time out. She has changed physically substantially, maturing into a strong, powerful filly. It was pleasing to see her put in such a determined effort, much to the delight of her owners.
William could not be happier with her, and if she continues on this upward trajectory, she may step into black-type company later in the season.
Awaken puts in a classy performance to land the spoils at Leicester 05.08.25
Concert gets off the mark in style at Yarmouth 06.08.25
Three other two-year-olds worth mentioning, who are knocking on the door of a win, are Piazza (Ollie Sangster), Moonshine (Ed Walker), and Ravishing (Roger Varian). The latter made an eye-catching debut at Ascot, finishing third and denied second by just a neck behind the favourite, the Hugo Palmer-trained Enamorus. Ravishing certainly lives up to her name in both looks and action, this filly has plenty of ability and it will be exciting to see what she goes on to do next time out.
Piazza also finished third with a much-improved effort at Nottingham in a fillies’ maiden over 6f. It was encouraging to hear Billy Loughnane, who rode her, say that he feels she is more than capable of winning a novice. She has progressed substantially, and Ollie feels it is only a matter of time before we see her in the winner’s enclosure. Watch this space!
Finally, Moonshine, who impressed on debut when finishing third at Newbury, took an encouraging step forward to finish second on her next start at Haydock over the weekend. Ed Walker really likes this well-bred Starman filly, and it will be exciting to see what she goes on to do next season.
With The Ebor meeting at York and international fixtures on the horizon, as well as some unraced two-year-olds coming to hand such as our Palace Pier filly Mojito (please see Horse In Focus), the season shows no signs of slowing down. We cannot wait to see what success and enjoyment our horses will bring to their owners over the coming weeks!