Sussex Stakes second for Ribchester

Ribchester rallied strongly in the closing stages to finish a neck second in the G1 Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, UK, on Wednesday, August 2.

Heavy rain meant that the mile showpiece was run in testing conditions, with Ribchester breaking well from the stalls to lead the seven runners. 

William Buick tacked across to the stands’ rail on the Richard Fahey-trained four-year-old at the top of the straight and asked the Iffraaj colt to win his race approaching the final quarter-mile.

Ribchester lost his position on the rain-softened ground soon afterwards, became unbalanced and short of room.

He was fourth passing the furlong-pole before running on well to take second near the line, just behind Here Comes When, who won in 1m 46.11s on ground officially described as soft.

Richard Fahey commented: “It is extreme conditions out there. I was very worried, it is not for a Flat racehorse.

“Ribchester has showed good heart and has run a mighty race to get back again.

“If you could back winners today you would be a genius as the conditions are so bad. It is why bookmakers love conditions like this. They get odd results and they got one today.

“I am disappointed, don’t get me wrong. We came here expecting to win and we didn’t, so we are disappointed.

“It was a strange race and I would like to see it again.”

William Buick added: “Ribchester has done it from the front before, but he wasn’t comfortable from the three [furlong pole] to the two.

“He didn’t find as much as I thought he would. It is usually a very strong part of his race.

“He stayed on again towards the end, as the others got tired in front.

“I was surprised that they got to me, but at the time I wasn’t going well enough.

“He is a gutsy horse, the conditions are terrible out there. It is very heavy ground.

“I haven’t watched the replay back yet. Ribchester was comfortable enough in front and we wanted to come somewhere near the stands’ rail. 

“From the three to the two, he didn’t really go anywhere like he usually does. The ground is very bad out there and I suppose that didn’t help him at all. It got tight for a stride and then he stayed on again towards the end. It was a pretty strange race really.

“Initially, when he came off the bridle it felt to me like he was really struggling on the ground. He was really struggling to pick his feet up and, instead of galloping forwards, he was kind of stumbling forwards. 

“He really sort of fell on his head and then he gathered himself up. The winner stopped near the line which helped us get closer. It was an unsatisfactory race.”