Illustrious Blue the local hero in Goodwood Cup
There is a 30ft bronze horse sculpture at Goodwood but there were a few people who reckoned that it should be replaced by one of Illustrious Blue.
The horse on whom trainer William Knight has built his career can now be regarded as the king of Goodwood after he claimed his seventh course victory in the Group Two Artemis Goodwood Cup, making it three lifetime wins at the Glorious Goodwood meet.
Johnny Murtagh had Age of Aquarius in front from the gates to make the race a true test of stamina. He was applying the pressure from halfway and on the climb to the highest point on the course. On the descent he had a few of the field on the point of breaking but, sadly, it was his own body that betrayed Age of Aquarius when he broke down on his off-fore.
From galloping hard Murtagh suddenly had to manage the difficult manoeuvre of pulling up a hard-galloping Thoroughbred with nine others behind him. Luckily Murtagh was able to keep his horse out of further trouble as he pulled up and left Electrolyser in front by three lengths. Philip Robinson appeared to have stolen the race but Jim Crowley produced Illustrious Blue from the pack to challenge.
Illustrious Blue, who won the Group Three Glorious Stakes at this meeting last year, had been stepped up in distance this year by his trainer but still retains enough of his middle-distance speed to bolt on to the stamina to beat Electrolyser by one-and-a-quarter lengths with Purple Moon plugging on for third.
Age of Aquarius was led into a horse ambulance and taken to the veterinary clinic at Arundel for further examination. Following x-rays and treatment the colt was flown back to Ballydoyle.
Richard Hills reported that Tactic, who finished last, had come home feeling sore and Caracciola, the 13-year-old, was retired after the race.
Knight, who began training in the near-by village of Patching five years ago, was savouring the biggest win of his career as Illustrious Blue entered the winner’s enclosure to a roar not normally heard at the genteel Goodwood. “I’m just so pleased, to come back here the third time at Glorious Goodwood. What a star.
“I should have started him over two miles last year but we’ve had a fantastic run with him and he just keeps on winning for us,” he said, adding “I’ll just try to make sure I don’t cry this time.
“It’s fantastic to win at our local track and I can’t ask for more. It’s nice to have such a good horse so early in my career. There are races like the Lonsdale Stakes and Doncaster Cup to consider, but maybe we should think about a trip to the Melbourne Cup.”
Knight was also keen to share the moment with Crowley, who has transformed himself from a journeyman jump jockey to a Flat one who can ride with the best of them. “Jim has put a lot of work on the horse and it’s a big team effort from everyone at home. We’re a smallish yard and when you have a horse like this come along it makes a big difference.”
Crowley, who took Illustrious Blue on a parade in front of the stands before coming back to unsaddle, said: “He settled lovely and, at the top of the hill, he was travelling so nicely. He’s just a tough little horse and he’s a legend for me round here and I just love riding him.
“I came there so well and thought I would go away and win easily, but then it took a bit of time to wear the runner-up down. He’s so tough. You couldn’t wish for a nicer character of a horse. He’s probably still improving and he’s earned his right go to for something like the Melbourne Cup. He travels, stays and likes fast ground so why not?
“It’s probably the most significant win for me, being my home track and Illustrious Blue," Crowley said.
Clive Cox was thrilled with Electrolyser’s run and said: “I’m really pleased because I’d always hoped he’d be this calibre of horse. There is more to come because he has been held up since he ran in the Sagaro. I’m delighted he has proved what I thought he was and there are a few attractive races in France we could look at.”
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