The Visit Qatar Sussex Stakes (G1), a Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” race for the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) set to be held at Keeneland on October 31, is scheduled for Wednesday at Goodwood over one mile on turf with prize money boosted to a record £1.5 million ($1,993,485).
First run in 1841, the Sussex is a premier European mile contest open to 3-year-olds and up, often called the “Duel on the Downs.” It has a rich history of stars: Frankel is the only dual winner (2011–12) and other notables include Baaeed (2022), Paddington (2023), Notable Speech (2024), Mohaather (2020), Alcohol Free (2021), Solow (2015), and Kingman (2014). Last year’s surprise winner was Qirat.
A competitive 12-runner field mixes undefeated 3-year-old classic stars with proven older milers.
Bow Echo is the clear favorite and remains unbeaten in five career starts. He dominated the Betfred 2000 Guineas (G1) at Newmarket and held off Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) hero Gstaad in the St. James’s Palace (G1) at Royal Ascot last ot despite not being ideally positioned early. The George Boughey-trained son of Night of Thunder, who carries Billy Loughnane, typically settles off the pace before producing a strong late surge.
The aforementioned Gstaad, who hails from Aidan O’Brien’s Ballydoyle yard and is owned by the Coolmore conglomerate, took the Irish 2000 Guineas (G1) last out before being just denied by Bow Echo at Ascot after a better trip. The Starspangledbanner colt, who won the Coventry Stakes (G2) as a juvenile, is a versatile, classy performer who can race prominently or close.
Opera Ballo is the leading older horse, who is trained by Charlie Appleby. The 4-year-old by Ghaiyyath showed the way to win the Sandown Mile (G2) and finished a close third after forcing the pace in the Queen Anne (G1) at Royal Ascot last out. He prefers to lead or race near the front and should relish the Goodwood track.
Lake Forest improved after a being gelded to win a Haydock listed race and ran creditably to finish fifth in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (G1) before taking the Lennox Stakes (G2) over this course last out at seven furlongs. The William Haggas trainee sits back early and finishes strongly, the step up to the one mile could suit him.
The 5-year-old Ten Bob Tony arrives in top form after taking the Betfred Tattenham Corner Stakes (G3) at Epsom and then upsetting the Queen Anne at Ascot on fast ground. The Ed Walker trainee is most effective when placed on or near the pace when racing over the one-mile distance
Zavateri, trained by Eve Johnson Houghton, was a top juvenile who won the Vintage Stakes (G2) over this course and the National Stakes (G1) at the Curragh, edging Gstaad. He returned with a solid second in the Greenham Stakes in his final start of 2025 before a setback and came back with a decent second in Group 3 company at Newbury in April. He has shown course ability and will likely be found running close to the pace.
Ballydoyle’s Puerto Rico brings French Group 1 form at seven furlongs to a mile having won Saint-Cloud’s Criterium International (G1) and Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (G1) at Paris-Longchamp last year. He was used as a pacemaker for Gstaad at Ascot and is a front-runner by nature and is probably a rabbit for his stablemate here once again.
The Andrew Balding-trained Never So Brave was a smart Group 1 winner last year in the City of York Stakes and also ran second in Group 3 last out. He hasn’t won in a while, which could be problematic in this field. A later-runner, expect him to sit far back early and run on late to the wire.
Docklands, last year’s Queen Anne Stakes (G1) winner, has been in and out this season but remains a solid Group 1 performer who can race midfield or close. Harry Eustace trains the 6-year-old son of Massaat, who will be a longshot.
Qirat, who won this race a year ago for trainer Ralph Beckettl, Seagulls Eleven and possible pacemaker Dorset complete the field but face steeper tasks against the leading trio.
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