International Thoroughbred's Race of the Year

Race Group 1 Qatar Sussex Stakes,

Winner: Mohaather (Showcasing)

MOHAATHER, a son of Showcasing, went into the Goodwood showpiece a 3/1 chance on the basis of his last-time-out Group 2 Summer Mile victory.

The Marcus Tregoning-trained runner had previously finished mid-division in the Queen Anne (G1) at Royal Ascot when denied a clear run, and having missed top-level opportunities earlier in his career, the colt was out to prove his Group 1 class on favoured fast ground. He travelled strongly throughout at Goodwood, jockey Jim Crowley sitting him midfield buried behind the leaders. Turning into the straight, Crowley had to sit and suffer, waiting for a gap to appear – nothing came and the jockey had to resort to shuffling to the back and pulling wide, around the whole field, to get daylight with just a furlong left to run. Once Mohaather got that clear passage, the colt put on the after-burners and ate the ground in the last half furlong. As the commentary says, “he came late on to grab victory”. At one point there was a fear the line would come too quick; at the line Mohaather turned that doubt into a comfortable and deserved win.

In doing so he beat six Group 1 winners and performers, and gave the Tregoning team a first Group 1 success since Sir Percy’s Derby victory in 2006.

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