As ever, one of the staying highlights of the season took centre stage on the opening day of the Qatar Goodwood Festival. Eight runners went to post in 2026, with the market anticipating a classic Coolmore vs Godolphin clash.
Five-time winner Aidan O’Brien saddled the current king of the staying division, Scandinavia, who registered his first Group 1 win in the 2025 edition of this. Unbeaten in four starts since, including further Group 1 wins in the Doncaster Cup and Gold Cup at Ascot, he arrived as the one to beat. Having only lost out by three quarters of a length in 2025, Illinois added a strong second string to the O’Brien bow.
The market suggested that the biggest threat to Scandinavia would be the horse who finished just a head behind him in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot. Now eight years old, Trawlerman arrived with a host of high-profile staying successes to his name, including a Gold Cup, a Lonsdale Cup, and two wins in the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup. Having been successful on his only previous visit to Goodwood, he looked set to go well.
Ralph Beckett’s four-year-old gelding Amiloc sat third in the market. One of the stars of the first half of the 2025 season, he had failed to hit the heights in two starts in 2026 but was well supported in the market.
Roger Varian’s Rahiebb needed to bounce back from an underwhelming display in the Gold Cup, but had previously impressed when winning the Yorkshire Cup and losing out by a neck to Scandinavia in the 2025 Doncaster Cup.
Charlie Johnston’s Lazy Griff was the most interesting of those available at higher prices. Placed in the 2025 editions of the English and Irish Derby, his most recent performance saw him score over this trip in a Listed event at Sandown.
Result
- 1st – Scandinavia 6/5F, Jockey: Ryan Moore, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
- 2nd – Trawlerman 13/8, Jockey: William Buick, Trainer: John & Thady Gosden
- 3rd – Rahiebb 14/1, Jockey: Ray Dawson, Trainer: Roger Varian
Prize Money Breakdown
- 1st – £283,550
- 2nd – £107,500
- 3rd – £53,800
- 4th – £26,800
- 5th – £13,450
- 6th – £6,750
Tote and Forecast Payouts
- Tote Win – £2.20
- Tote Places – 1st – £1.10, 2nd – £1.20, 3rd – £2.65
- Exacta – £4.40
- Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) – £3.24
- Trifecta – £19.40
- Tricast – £13.92
Recap
There was drama as the stalls opened, as Hector Crouch immediately lost his balance and tumbled to the turf. Thankfully, the jockey emerged unscathed, while a riderless Amiloc would go on to play a significant role in the race.
With the field reduced to seven, Lazy Griff led the way around the first bend, closely followed by Trawlerman to his inner and Scandinavia to his outer. Illinois and Rahiebb made up the next wave of two, followed by French Master, with Miss Alpilles bringing up the rear.
Trawlerman had grabbed the lead by the time the runners moved into the back straight, with Lazy Griff and Scandinavia a length back in a share of second. Rahiebb led the next group of four, which sat around four lengths behind Trawlerman. Amiloc galloped along in advance of Trawlerman but was at least keeping out of trouble at this stage.
Amiloc had his first attempt at causing chaos when veering right across the track to cut off the leading duo of Trawlerman and Scandinavia at the six-furlong pole. Buick cut inside to evade the errant runner and maintain his advantage. Scandinavia moved well in second and now sat three lengths clear of Lazy Griff and Illinois. Rahiebb and Miss Alpilles sat fifth and sixth, with French Master dropping back to last.
Into the straight and Trawlerman kicked into a two-length lead. Scandinavia initially appeared to be tapped for toe but quickly found his stride to give pursuit. Illinois and Lazy Griff were pushed along in third and fourth, with Rahiebb beginning to make headway from further back.
Two furlongs from home, Amiloc had one last say in the race. Once again veering right across the course, he completely cut off Trawlerman on the rail, forcing William Buick to take a pull at a crucial stage. Avoiding the trouble, Scandinavia stayed on resolutely. Soon into a two-length lead, the mount of Ryan Moore pulled further and further clear to score by eight and a half lengths. Trawlerman held on for second from a fast-finishing Rahiebb.
It was back-to-back Goodwood Cups for Scandinavia, who confirmed his status as the king of the division. Winning the race for a sixth time, Aidan O’Brien moved to within one of John Scott for the all-time lead. While it was also a fourth success for Ryan Moore, who had opted to ride Illinois in 2025.
Runners
- 1. Amiloc – SP: 17/2, Trainer: Ralph Beckett, Jockey: Hector Crouch
- 2. French Master – SP: 33/1, Trainer: John & Thady Gosden, Jockey: James Doyle
- 3. Illinois – SP: 25/1, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien, Jockey: Sean Levey
- 4. Lazy Griff – SP: 18/1, Trainer: Charlie Johnston, Jockey: Oisin Murphy
- 5. Rahiebb – SP: 14/1, Trainer: Roger Varian, Jockey: Ray Dawson
- 6. Scandinavia – SP: 6/5F, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien, Jockey: Ryan Moore
- 7. Trawlerman – SP: 13/8, Trainer: John & Thady Gosden, Jockey: William Buick
- 8. Miss Alpilles – SP: 80/1, Trainer: Ed Walker, Jockey: Kieran Shoemark
Non-Runners
All ran.