Henry powers to a fourth big success as Murtagh enjoys famous win treble
Group one specialist Henrythenavigator swept to his fourth big race success of the season, while jockey Johnny Murtagh enjoyed a memorable win treble in a thrilling second day at Glorious Goodwood.
The 4-11 favourite – the shortest price horse in Sussex Stakes history – held off a strong finish from 4-1 shot Raven’s Pass to give trainer Aidan O’Brien his 16th Group One success of the season. Victory continued a hugely successful year for Henrythenavigator, who completed the English/Irish 2000 Guineas double earlier in the season before winning the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot last time out.
But despite the narrow nature of the victory, Murtagh was confident his mount had more in the tank.
“When he hit the line, he was still full of running,” Murtagh said. “The good ones have everything. They couldn’t go fast enough for him.
But I had a nice position and when he quickened up he quickened really well.
“I’d say the time for the last two furlongs would’ve been exceptional. “He is a great horse, he won very easily at the line and he won’t be beaten this year.”
The win capped a memorable day for Murtagh, who began by riding 12-1 shot Baddam to victory in the Goodwood Handicap before later completing his treble in the fourth race on Love Galore.