Having won six of the previous eight editions between them, Aidan O’Brien and John Gosden dominated the market for the 2025 staying highlight. Five of the eight runners hailed from Ballydoyle or Gosden’s Newmarket base, and they occupied the first five positions in the market.
Ascot Gold Cup runner-up Illinois was the choice of Ryan Moore and had traded as the odds-on favourite in the week leading up to the race. However, while he maintained favouritism, the four-year-old was notably weak in the market on the day. O’Brien’s second string, Scandinavia, hadn’t achieved as much as Illinois on the track, but received a stone from his stablemate under the weight-for-age conditions of the race. A winner by more than eight lengths in the Bahrain Trophy on his previous start, he arrived as a horse on the up.
John Gosden’s trio brought different profiles to the table. Having found only the mighty Kyprios too good in the 2024 edition, the six-year-old Sweet William looked rock-solid. Military Academy, on the other hand, was yet to race beyond 1m4f but had hinted that a step up in trip may suit when a close second in the Listed Tapster Stakes. Last but by no means least, Wathnan Racing’s French Master stepped out of handicap company for the first time and looked a potential star when bolting up in the Copper Horse Stakes.
David Menuisier’s Sunway was a Group 1 winner as a juvenile in 2023 but had failed to hit the target in ten outings since. He did, however, finish a solid third in the 2024 St Leger and looked worth a crack at this longer distance.
A pair of nine-year-olds rounded out the field in the shape of the Saeed bin Suroor-trained Dubai Future and Alan King’s stable stalwart Trueshan. The former ran well to finish third in the Ascot Gold Cup last time. Trueshan, meanwhile, was making his fourth Goodwood Cup appearance, having finished first in 2021, third in 2022, and fourth in 2024.
Result
- 1st – Scandinavia 4/1, Jockey: Wayne Lordan, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
- 2nd – Illinois 7/4F, Jockey: Ryan Moore, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
- 3rd – Sweet William 4/1, Jockey: Robert Havlin, Trainer: John & Thady Gosden
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 – £5.30
- Tote Places – 1st – £1.90, 2nd – £1.20, 3rd – £1.55
- Exacta – £17
- Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) – £10.98
- Trifecta – £52.90
Recap
The Ballydoyle duo of Scandinavia and Illinois broke alertly when the stalls opened, with the mount of Ryan Moore leading the way around the first bend. Trueshan and Sunway came next, followed by Military Academy. Sweet William and Dubai Future were content to race off the pace, while French Master brought up the rear, having blown the start.
Illinois continued to lead the way after four furlongs. Scandinavia, racing notably keenly, had dropped to fourth, with Trueshan and Sunway passing him on either side. There was a two-length break to the second group of four at this stage, Military Academy leading the quartet with Dubai Future and French Master looking on from the back of the field.
There was no change moving into the final mile of the contest, with Ryan Moore still allowed to dictate the fractions aboard the market leader, Illinois. Trueshan was keeping him honest under Hollie Doyle, but heartbreakingly, that staying warrior sustained a fatal injury close to the 6f pole.
Four furlongs from home, Moore asked Illinois to begin his finishing effort and looked to have many of those in behind in trouble. All bar Scandinavia, who travelled ominously well to his outside under Wayne Lordan.
Into the closing stages, Military Academy appeared to reach the end of his stamina reserves, while French Master’s brief effort amounted to little. With Sunway, Dubai Future, and Sweet William plugging on at one pace, this became a straight shootout between the O’Brien runners. Scandinavia nosed ahead inside the final furlong only for Illinois to battle back gamely against the rail. However, the younger horse had the final word, with a final thrust taking Scandinavia half a length clear at the line. It was a gallant display from Illinois in second, with Sweet William best of the rest in third.
The 2025 Goodwood Cup provided a thrilling finish but was marred by the desperately sad injury to the popular veteran Trueshan. A 16-time winner, including three Group 1 affairs, he will be a big miss to connections and fans alike.
And so it was an impressive fifth Goodwood Cup for Aidan O’Brien and a first for 2025 Derby-winning jockey Wayne Lordan.
Runners
- 1. Dubai Future – SP: 28/1, Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor, Jockey: Christophe Soumillon
- 2. French Master – SP: 9/1, Trainer: John & Thady Gosden, Jockey: James Doyle
- 3. Illinois – SP: 7/4F, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien, Jockey: Ryan Moore
- 4. Military Academy – SP: 17/2, Trainer: John & Thady Gosden, Jockey: William Buick
- 5. Sunway – SP: 12/1, Trainer: David Menuisier, Jockey: Oisin Murphy
- 6. Sweet William – SP: 4/1, Trainer: John & Thady Gosden, Jockey: Robert Havlin
- 7. Trueshan – SP: 22/1, Trainer: Alan King, Jockey: Hollie Doyle
- 8. Scandinavia – SP: 4/1, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien, Jockey: Wayne Lordan
Non-Runners
All Ran