It was Quirat's day in the sun in Goodwood's historic Sussex Stakes. All credit to the winner, who after getting loose on the lead early on, then had the additional benefit of getting a breather as the ever canny Richard Kingscote took a pull when Wayne Lordan went by to take it up on Serengeti. 

The Sussex marked the fourth win of Quirat’s twelve-race career. But more notably, his third win at this unique track gives him a 100% strike rate at Goodwood. Those "horses for courses" punters willing to back him at a remarkable 150-1 will be toasting their boldness.

Last seen trying to run away with Colin Keane in the first half of the Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot, Quirat’s effort there was stifled by fighting Colin as the blinkers lit him up. Hindsight is 20-20, but one can’t help but wonder what might have been if he had simply let Qirat roll that day.

The post race talk inevitably circled around Field of Gold - but spare a thought for Rosallion. The apple of Richard Hannon’s eye, the St James Palace and Classic winning colt ran another massive race, only to be undone again by the way the pace unfolded. An emotional and visibly frustrated Hannon asked the question many were likely thinking. "What does this horse need to do to win?"

Despite being as disadvantaged by the pace scenario, Rosallion was still only beaten a neck for it all - finishing over two lengths ahead of Henri Matisse and nearly four clear of Field of Gold.

Make no mistake: Rosallion is a colt of the highest class—arguably the best of his generation, and possibly even superior to Field of Gold. With a fairer setup, his day surely must come again soon.

Carl Wilson