Kyprios secured a comprehensive victory in the Group 1 Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup Stakes, as the Qatar Goodwood Festival kicked off on Tuesday. The world famous five-day Festival is one of the highlights of the flat racing season in the UK and Europe.
The festival features class racing, with several black type races bearing the name of Qatar. The opening day of this year’s edition of the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) sponsored Festival had an eight-race card, where top-class racing was on display at the unique racecourse which was built in 1802.
Kyprios managed to reclaim his title for the second time, having already won it in 2022. QREC Chairman Issa bin Mohamed al-Mohannadi presented the trophies to connections of Kyprios.
Owned by Moyglare, Magnier, Tabor, Smith & Westerberg, Kyprios was coming to this race on the back of a Group 1 success when landing the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot when last seen. Trained by Aidan O’Brien, the six-year-old won this race in 2022. Ridden by Ryan Moore, Kyprios was always close to the pace in a race led by Gregory (Golden Horn) early on and Al Qareem (Awtaad) after six furlongs. Travelling confidently in the straight for home the son of Galileo quickly pulled clear to win by four lengths. Sweet William (Sea The Stars) ran on for second. Gregory was third.
“I thought there would be pace with Al Qareem; he’s usually a free-going horse. It took a while to get there, but my horse obviously stays well. It was very smooth and we’ve obviously done the track record. The only thing that happened was that he slipped on the top turn, then he was just on the back foot and dropped away from the horse who was going to take me into the race. He still got there with two to run going very easy, and he was a bit idle in front there, but it was a tremendous performance,” Moore said.
“He’s been a great horse for a long time now and his record is incredible, really. Since we stepped him up in trip there’s only been two defeats last year, neither of which was completely his fault.
“He is just very high class. This fella is very, very good. He wouldn’t show you how good he is, but he’s very good. It is fun to ride him because you know he’s that much better than the rest,” he said.
Today, the Qatar International Stakes (Group 1 PA) will take centre stage as one of the world’s top Arabian races and the first leg of the Doha Triple Crown.
Nine horses have been declared including: the big favourite and title holder Al Ghadeer, who is owned by Al Shaqab Racing as are Al Wakrah and Afjan; Fareedhat El Izz for Al Nujaifi Racing Ltd; Ska de l’Aigle, the representative of Abdullah bin Fahad A H al-Attiyah; Al Zeer owned by Mohamed bin Fahad A H al-Attiyah; Winds of Fortune and Upstart Crown presented by James Owen and Abiyah Athbah for Dilmun Racing.
Present on the opening day as well were President of the Asian Equestrian Federation and QREC Vice-Chairman Hamad bin Abdulrahman al-Attiya, QREC Board Members Khalifa bin Mohamed al-Attiya and Ahmed bin Mohamed Alabdulmalik, Racing Manager Abdulla bin Rashid al-Kubaisi, Director of Support Services Ahmed al-Sheebani and Director of Public Relations & External Communications and Marketing Salem Khejaim al-Adbi.
