Irish horses to watch at Glorious Goodwood 2023

Glorious Goodwood is one of the world’s most prestigious motor racing events and the festival will take place between 1 and 5 August 2023.

There are many races to enjoy, including the King George Stakes, Nassau Stakes, Sussex Stakes, and the Goodwood Cup. Before we take a closer look at some of Ireland’s 2023 contenders, we need to know a bit more about the competition.

Goodwood Racecourse

Goodwood Racecourse is located in Chichester, West Sussex and is known as a the right hand way. However, for races over 2 miles, runners will also turn left at the start of the race.

The flat course offers riders spectacular views of the South Downs and large right turns can be found a mile from the start line and at the final bend. The home straight may look like the easiest part of the track from the stands, but many racers have run into trouble on the straight at Goodwood, leading to dramatic finishes.

Moyo Sister

Now we come to our first Irish horses to watch the 2023 Glorious Goodwood festival. Moyo Sister is expected to compete in the Nassau Stakes and will face the favorite, Blue Rose Cen. Soul Sister arrives at Goodwood on the back of third place in the Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp in July.

He did well under pressure in the latter stages but lacked the strength to challenge the winner. However, good wins in the Musidora Stakes and Epsom Oaks make Soul Sister one to watch at Goodwood this year.

Coltrane

Coltrane has enjoyed a very good year and has been one of the leaders in the Group 1 races. After winning the Coral Marathon at Sandown last season, Coltrane won the Group 2 Doncaster Cup and finished second in the British Champions Long Distance Cup. Coltrane ran in the 2022 Goodwood Cup and finished fourth but all three horses who finished ahead of Coltrane will not be running this year.

He finished second in the 2023 Ascot Gold Cup and a return to 2 miles will join Coltrane as he looks to give the crowd something to enjoy on the first day of the festival.

Horace

The Stewards’ Cup, which will be held on the final day of Glorious Goodwood, is seen as an open race, and includes the Irish rider, Orazio. Trained by Charles Hills, the colt started the season full of promise and came out on top in the Weatherbys Digital Solutions Handicap at Newmarket, leaving the rest of the field at the end of the race.

The move to Ascot with Orazio was in full swing when he won the Peroni Nastro Azzurro “Live Moment” Handicap, pulling away from the field to win by more than two lengths. Orazio will be challenged by Saint Lawrence, another Irish horse to watch, who finished first in the Wokingham Stakes at Ascot, a race in which Orazio finished sixth.

These are some of the Irish horses to watch at Glorious Goodwood and there are many others who will be confident of success throughout the weekend.