Evening Saigon claimed the Coral Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood, extending Wathnan Racing’s successful week at the prestigious fixture. Ridden by James Doyle, the horse finished ahead of Stratusnine, with Mitbaahy taking third place. The victory represented the second major handicap triumph of the week for trainer Hamad Al Jehani, who had previously won the Golden Mile with Archivist.
Doyle reflected on the week’s preparations, noting that the team had implemented new tactical approaches and worked closely with Al Jehani and the office staff back home. He described the horse’s temperament during the race, noting it was keen in the early stages before settling into a rhythm. The jockey positioned the horse behind Dark Thirty before launching a challenge in the final stages. Al Jehani expressed satisfaction with how Evening Saigon had performed, noting the horse had run well at Royal Ascot before being reserved for the Stewards’ Cup.
Wathnan’s racing advisor Richard Brown emphasized the collaborative nature of the operation, highlighting that Doyle had been decisive about his choice of mount. Brown praised Al Jehani’s statistical record compared to other elite trainers and noted his background as a skilled horseman and former showjumper. The wins in two of the year’s most challenging handicaps demonstrated the strength of the team’s planning and execution.
In other Group Two action, Goodie Two Shoes secured victory in the Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes by a nose over Santorini Star, extending Joseph O’Brien and Dylan Browne McMonagle’s successful week at Goodwood. The JP McManus-owned seven-year-old, running at 8/1 odds, mounted a late challenge to claim her first win of the season. Sir Anthony McCoy, representing McManus, noted the narrow margin of victory and praised McMonagle’s riding ability, suggesting the Melbourne Cup would likely become a target race for the horse.
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