Qatar Goodwood Kicks off brilliantly and British Ambassador takes part in trophy presentation
Qatar Goodwood Festival kicked off on Tuesday, 31 July with seven races on the first day. In the first race in the card, Matchbook Betting Exchange Handicap Stakes (Class 2) (4yo+), William Haggas’s Alfarris was the winner under jockey Jim Crowley.
Mark Johnston’s Dark Vision won Qatar Vintage Stakes (Gr 2) (2yo) with jockey Silvestre De Sousa in the saddle. Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al Attiya, President of Qatar Equestrian Federation, presented the trophies to the winners.
David Elsworth’s Sir Dancealot, was the winner of Qatar Lennox Stakes (Gr 2) (3yo+). It was a blanket finish with several runners at the finish line and Sir Dancealot, ridden by Gerald Mosse, was declared the winner by photo finish. Khalid bin Mohammed Al Ali, QREC Board Member, presented the trophies to the winners.
John Gosden’s Stradivarius was steered by jockey Andrea Atzeni to win Qatar Goodwood Cup (Gr 1) (3yo+). HE Ajay Sharma, British Ambassador to Qatar, presented the trophies to the winners.
Ronald Harris’s Under The Cover won Chelsea Barracks Handicap Stakes (Class 2) (4yo+). It was jockey P. J. McDonald who led the bay mare to win the five-furlong race.
The day concluded with Matchbook Time To Move Over Fillies Handicap Stakes (3yo+) and William Haggas scored his second win of the day when he saddled Move Swiftly to victory under jockey James Doyle.
