Review: Quickthorn Dominates in the Goodwood Cup with a Spectacular Performance

Tom Marquand Executes a Perfect Front-Running Ride to Win the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup

A Masterful Display of Tactics and Skill

In an awe-inspiring performance, Tom Marquand showcased his exceptional riding abilities as he guided Quickthorn to victory in the prestigious Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup. Trained by the renowned Hughie Morrison, Quickthorn had previously displayed similar tactics alongside Marquand during their triumph at Lonsdale Cup last season.

The duo left spectators astounded with their formidable partnership once again, leaving behind their rival Coltrane by a staggering 14 lengths. Although Quickthorn’s subsequent performances may not have reached the same level of brilliance, he did manage to secure victory in a Listed race back at York recently. The form was further validated when Israr, who finished second that day, went on to win a Group Two competition.

A Commanding Lead from Start to Finish

Marquand strategically gained an early advantage by stealing precious lengths in the initial stages of the race. As they approached the brow of the hill where others might expect to make up ground, Quickthorn and Marquand accelerated even further without showing any signs of slowing down. At one stage, they managed to establish an astonishing lead of around 20 lengths.

An Unexpected Dominance in Uncharted Territory

Oisin Murphy aboard Coltrane seemed content with his position leading the trailing pack as they entered half a mile remaining; however, all riders soon realized that Quickthorn showed no signs of fatigue. Eldar Eldarov, Giavellotto, Emily Dickinson, and Gold Cup winner Courage Mon Ami suddenly came to the revelation that Quickthorn was an unstoppable force.

The Triumph and Recognition

Quickthorn emerged victorious with a staggering six-length lead over the competition. Emily Dickinson secured second place after a photo finish with Coltrane closely behind. Eldar Eldarov finished in fourth place by a mere short head.

Achieving Sporting Excellence

Lady Blyth, the proud owner of Quickthorn, has now bred both a Grade One jumps winner and a Group One flat race champion—a remarkable achievement that few have accomplished. Hughie Morrison expressed his excitement during the race as he witnessed Quickthorn’s extraordinary performance reminiscent of their previous triumph at Lonsdale Cup.

The Key to Success

Morrison revealed that he always believed Quickthorn thrived on softer ground conditions, which may explain why his recent performances didn’t reach their full potential. He acknowledged that Quickthorn puts immense effort into each race but emphasized the importance of managing his workload between now and September to avoid any decline in form.

Rising Above Expectations: A Galloping Marvel

In response to speculations about potentially entering hurdles races and taking on formidable competitors like Constitution Hill, Morrison humorously remarked it wouldn’t be fair for Constitution Hill given Quickthorn’s natural galloping abilities. Morrison described him as a fantastic horse to train who effortlessly showcases his exceptional speed every morning during training sessions—leaving other horses trailing far behind with each stride they take compared to three strides it takes them against one stride from Quickthorn.

Celebrating an Incredible Victory

Tom Marquand expressed his joy and satisfaction with Quickthorn’s performance, highlighting the exhilaration of riding such a remarkable horse. Marquand acknowledged the hard work put in by Hughie Morrison and his team to keep Quickthorn in top form. He also extended his gratitude to Lord and Lady Blyth for their support throughout this incredible journey.

A Well-Executed Plan

Marquand detailed that their strategy involved finding a rhythm early on without any specific intention of establishing a significant lead. However, their past success at Lonsdale Cup indicated that running with consistent speed was the best approach for Quickthorn. The jockey’s expert timing paid off as he ignited Quickthorn’s potential around the three-pole marker, ensuring they would successfully cross the finish line ahead of all contenders.

An Unmatched Stamina

Marquand emphasized how reassuring it felt to have such exceptional stamina beneath him during the race—a sentiment only heightened by witnessing Quickthorn’s formidable display of power. Despite fears that another competitor might possess extraordinary abilities capable of overtaking them, Marquand confidently praised Quickthorn’s stamina as an asset that propelled them towards victory.

A Performance Worth Celebrating

Oisin Murphy shared his thoughts on Coltrane’s performance, recognizing that from the beginning it was evident Lone Eagle, Tashkhan, and Broome were not going to challenge him.