Close Third For Ribchester In Sussex Stakes

Ribchester flew home to finish a close third behind The Gurkha and Galileo Gold in the G1 Qatar Sussex Stakes on day two of the Qatar Goodwood Festival at Goodwood, UK, Wednesday, July 27.

The Richard Fahey-trained three-year-old, stepping up to a mile following an impressive victory over seven furlongs in the G3 Jersey Stakes on soft ground at Royal Ascot, broke well and soon settled on the inside rail to race in fourth of the 10 runners.

Ribchester was switched out left by James Doyle after passing the two furlong-pole and went third inside the final furlong.

The Ifraaj colt ran on strongly in the closing stages for a career-best performance but was beaten a neck and a short-head at the line. The Gurkha won 1m 37.35s on ground described as good to firm.

Toormore (Richard Hannon/James McDonald) stayed on well to finish fourth, three lengths behind Ribchester.

Richard Fahey said: "James [Doyle] was delighted with him - he's a horse with loads of pace and James just wished they had gone a bit quicker in order to give him a bit of room with which to work. It didn't happen, but he ran a blinder.

"He's still a big baby and is learning his trade - it's just as well James did switch him because there was no room down the inside, but James said he changed his legs and came home really well. Ribchester was four strides from winning - perhaps they should have made the race another 20 yards longer! That's racing.

"He's progressing and going the right way, and we've been very pleased with him at home. We felt he had improved a lot as three-year-olds do, and on this ground he is only going to get better and better. It was a worry in the back of my mind as to how he would handle this ground - we've not avoided it, but just haven't had a chance to race on it. We've now got a horse that can go anywhere.

"There are plenty of races for him, but I will have to speak to John (Ferguson, Chief Executive and Racing Manager of Godolphin). This morning I put him in the Prix Jacques Le Marois (G1, Deauville, France, 1m, August 14) next month, and I wouldn't swap my horse for any other.

"I'm delighted, but frustrated to be beaten so narrowly. He's all up in the air and still needs to learn to race - he could be a champion next year."

James Doyle added: "I'm pleased with Ribchester. It was another step forward. Whatever he does this year, he will improve again and be better next year. He has proved today that he could go on fast ground as he handled it quite well.

"I just felt the tempo of the race didn't suit him. He is quite a strong traveller and I just always felt that The Gurkha was coming back into my lap a little bit which didn't help. I had to sit against my horse rather than letting him race. I just think a faster tempo would definitely suit him.

"Ribchester finished off tremendously well and that is definitely his best run so far. Looking at him, he will improve again next year and he handles fast ground. I'm sure he copes with slower ground much better than some of the others however."