US star targets Sussex Stakes

This year’s Classic scorers Galileo Gold, The Gurkha, Awtaad, Minding and Jet Setting feature among 50 entries (up from 39 in 2015), revealed today, for the £1-million Qatar Sussex Stakes on Wednesday, July 27.

The Group One mile contest, boosted hugely in value last year, is the highlight of the five-day Qatar Goodwood Festival which runs from Tuesday, July 26 to Saturday, July 30.

Galileo Gold (Hugo Palmer) took the first British Classic of the season, the QIPCO 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, with an authoritative display but had to settle for second behind the impressive Awtaad (Kevin Prendergast) in the Irish equivalent at the Curragh on May 21.

The Gurkha, one of 11 Qatar Sussex Stakes entries from Ireland’s champion Flat trainer Aidan O’Brien, proved his wide margin maiden success at Navan was no flash in the pan when storming to a five and a half-length victory in the French 2,000 Guineas at Deauville on May 15.

O’Brien has also engaged QIPCO 1000 Guineas heroine Minding, although the filly looks set to step up in trip after going down by a head to Jet Setting (Adrian Keatley) in the Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh on May 22, the pair clear.

US star Tepin extended her unbeaten streak to six in a Grade Two event at Churchill Downs, USA, on May 7 and has already been successful four times at Grade One level. She would have won her last 11 races but for going down by a nose and a head in two of the outings.

She is the star of the …

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