I’ve been keeping active in the gym, doing a lot of exercises that don’t involve using my injured wrist. Along with that, I’ve been doing a lot of dog walks. My dog has never had so much attention from me!
I’ve also been keeping an eye on the racing as I went into Newmarket to watch a few gallopers.
This week I will be watching Glorious Goodwood. I always love riding there; the atmosphere is terrific, and there is always a loud roar from the crowd. The track is a bit like being on a rollercoaster. Over the longer the trips you ride uphill for the first part and then when you come into the homestraight you’re going downhill. It can be very much a horses for courses track.
Here is a list of my five horses to follow across Glorious Goodwood week.
Tuesday
Kyprios (Goodwood Cup)
It was great to see him win the Ascot Gold Cup last month for Aidan O’Brien. It’s not always easy for horses to do what he did after they get a setback. He’s proven that he really is the best stayer around. He won this race in 2022, and he looks like he’s going to win it again.
Wednesday
Notable Speech (Sussex Stakes)
He was a bit disappointing last time out in the St. James Palace Stakes after he was sent off favourite. Before that, he had been in imperious form, and he looked like a really good winner of the 2,000 Guineas. You have to be forgiving in horse racing sometimes, but I do think that run was too bad to be true. If he can bounce back to his 2.000 Guineas, then he would have a right chance of winning at Glorious Goodwood.
Thursday
Emily Upjohn (Nassau Stakes)
I thought she ran a great race last time out when she finished second in the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh. That day she was only picked up late on by Bluestocking, who’s been an improving filly for Ralph Beckett this season, so you can mark that effort up. I think she’s the one they’ve all got to beat here.
Friday
Believing (King George Stakes)
This filly is one that is going places. George Boughey has really found the key to her, and 5f seems to be her trip. Her win in the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes at the Curragh last time out was probably a career best performance, and I can think she can keep on improving. The sprint division in the UK is quite on at the moment, so she’ll have a chance to stake her claim as one of the best around in this race.
Saturday
Queen Of The Pride (Lillie Langtry Stakes)
She won a hot race at Haydock earlier this month, beating some useful types. So far she’s been campaigned against her own sex this season, and she’ll be competing against fillies’ and mares again on Saturday. Moreover, she’s going to be stepping up in distance to 1m6f, but that shouldn’t be a problem as her dam Simple Verse won the St. Leger and was very effective over further. We don’t know where her ceiling lies, but I am very much looking forward to seeing her run at Goodwood this week.
I hope you all enjoy the action at Goodwood this week and I’ll catch you again soon.