The Gurkha holds of Dettori-ridden Galileo Gold to hand Aidan O’Brien his fifth Sussex Stakes win
Trainer Aidan O’Brien’s concerns over The Gurkha proved misplaced as the 11/8 favourite beat Frankie Dettori-ridden Galileo Gold to claim victory in the Sussex Stakes – Glorious Goodwood’s £1m race.
Scoring by a neck, The Gurkha exacted revenge for the defeat inflicted by Galileo Gold and Dettori in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot in June. Ribchester, ridden by James Doyle, finished a close third. The three-year-old also enjoyed a productive run at Sandown earlier this month, while the win represented O’Brien’s fifth triumph in the Sussex Stakes. His first was Giant’s Causeway in 2000.
“It has been tough on him. We were worried coming here after Sandown, but the lads said he was thriving,” said O’Brien. “I was worried because he’s had such a big career crammed into a short space of time. He didn’t race last year, but he’s danced every dance since. Ryan [Moore] gave him a masterful ride but he has a lot of speed.”
Sir Michael Stoute’s 9/2 second favourite Ulysses, the son of 2001 Derby winner Galileo, won the Gordon Stakes, while Jimmy Fortune-ridden Star Rider prevailed in the Goodwood Stakes Handicap.
The British Horseracing Authority, meanwhile, confirmed that Nicky Henderson’s No Heretic, winner of the Chester Cup, died after collapsing in the final furlong.