Bow Echo, Gstaad and Opera Ballo confirmed for Sussex Stakes showdown at Glorious Goodwood

One of the highlights of Glorious Goodwood takes centre stage on Wednesday as Bow Echo, Gstaad and Opera Ballo lock horns in the £1.5 million Visit Qatar Sussex Stakes.

The Group One contest has attracted a field of 12 runners, with the season’s leading milers set to renew rivalries in what promises to be one of the biggest races of the festival.

Bow Echo heads into the race as the favourite after defeating Gstaad in both the 2,000 Guineas and the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The latter produced another fascinating battle between the pair, with Aidan O’Brien’s Gstaad closing the gap significantly to finish just a short head behind his rival. Ryan Moore keeps the ride aboard Gstaad as he looks to reverse the form at Goodwood.

Gstaad will be joined by Ballydoyle stablemates Puerto Rico and Dorset in the Sussex Stakes. Christophe Soumillon returns to the saddle on Puerto Rico after successfully appealing the suspension he received following the St James’s Palace Stakes, while Wayne Lordan takes the ride on Dorset.

Charlie Appleby and William Buick will be represented by Opera Ballo, who arrives at Goodwood with Group One-winning form already on his record this season.

The four-year-old landed the Jebel Hatta in Dubai earlier this year before making all in the Group Two Bet365 Mile at Sandown. He was last seen finishing third in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot behind surprise 50-1 winner Ten Bob Tony, who is also part of the Sussex Stakes field.

Last year’s shock Sussex Stakes winner Qirat has also been declared as he bids to defend his crown for trainer Ralph Beckett. The 150-1 winner in 2024 will be looking to maintain his unbeaten record at Goodwood after also being entered in Tuesday’s Group Two HKJC World Pool Lennox Stakes.

Lake Forest could also attempt an ambitious Lennox-Sussex double, with connections prepared to take on the challenge if Tuesday’s race goes well.

Sean Graham, racing manager for owners Tony Bloom and Ian McAleavy, said:

“If tomorrow [Lennox Stakes] goes well, we’re going to run him in the Sussex Stakes on Wednesday as well. If he runs a stinker in the Lennox he obviously won’t run, but if he runs to form we’re going to do something leftfield and run him in the Sussex.

“He thrives on his racing and the key to getting the best out of him against top-class opposition is quick ground.”

The field is completed by several other proven performers, including Never So Brave and Docklands, who both bring Group One-winning form thanks to victories in last year’s City of York Stakes and Queen Anne Stakes respectively.

Seagulls Eleven also returns to familiar territory after winning the Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes over the Sussex course and distance last season for trainer Hugo Palmer and jockey Oisin Murphy.

Another fascinating contender is Zavateri, who lines up for Eve Johnson Houghton after missing both the English and Irish 2,000 Guineas earlier this year following a minor setback.

The colt had originally held an entry in the Lennox Stakes but impressed enough in recent work to convince connections he was ready to take his chance at the highest level.

Johnson Houghton said: “He’d worked the week before and really needed it and the entry in the Lennox was just in case I didn’t think he was quite ready to go for the Sussex, but he worked really well on Thursday and I couldn’t be happier with him.

“He’s ready, in great form and we’re all guns blazing for the Sussex.”

Despite Zavateri being available at a bigger price in the betting, Johnson Houghton is excited about her contender’s chances.

“May the best horse win,” said the trainer. “It’s a horserace and we’re all there to have a go. That’s the whole point of racing and we have every right to be there. I’m not saying we’re going to win, but we’ll be in the thick of the action and that’s what it’s all about.”

She added: “Zavateri looks a million dollars and I honestly couldn’t be happier with him and I can’t wait. I’ll feel sick on the morning of the race, but at the moment I can’t wait.”

Ten Bob Tony, who produced one of Royal Ascot’s biggest shocks when winning the Queen Anne Stakes at 50-1, is another leading contender for Wednesday’s race.

Trainer Ed Walker is keen to run his stable star but admits the quick ground and undulating Goodwood track have made him cautious.

“Unless we look at the track on Tuesday and think it’s a definite no, he’ll go to Goodwood on Wednesday and we’ll have a look at the course on the day,” said Walker.

“Ed Arkell does a great job with the ground at Goodwood and the horse’s owner, Simon Sadler, is very keen to run. If it’s safe for him we’ll have a go at the Sussex, but I’m slightly nervous about it.”

Walker will also saddle Miss Alpilles in Tuesday’s Goodwood Cup and hopes a change of equipment can help her step forward following her Royal Ascot run.

“She didn’t quite drop the bridle in the Gold Cup and we’re going to run her in blinkers at Goodwood,” said Walker.

“She trains in blinkers at home and she’s super chilled in them. I’m not saying we’ll beat those horses from the Gold Cup, but I think if she relaxes we’ll get closer to them.”

With Classic winners, Royal Ascot heroes and last year’s surprise champion all lining up, Wednesday’s Sussex Stakes promises to be one of the key races of Glorious Goodwood.

Bow Echo will bid to continue his dominance over Gstaad, while Opera Ballo and a talented supporting cast look to upset the established order in one of the most competitive races of the week.