3 minute read
The retirement of Stradivarius at the end of the 2022 season left space for a new staying star at the Gosdens and two possible contenders stepped up.
Courage Mon Ami was unbeaten on his first three starts and made the considerable step up to Group 1 company when scoring by three-quarters of a length in the Group 1 Ascot Gold Cup at the Royal meeting. The three-year-old Gregory was attempting 1m6f for the first time when winning the Group 2 Queen's Vase and can continue to improve after only three outings.
Both Gregory and Courage Mon Ami hold entries for the Group 1 Goodwood Cup on Tuesday of the Goodwood Festival.
"At present, both horses will be left in the race and then we will make a decision nearer the time whether one of them runs or they both run," said joint-trainer John Gosden.
"Gregory is by Golden Horn, who we know well. His dam Gretchen was very tall and he has been quite overgrown like his mother. She won the Park Hill for us and her owner-breeder Philippa Cooper. It is very much Philippa's family and Golden Horn has complemented it in many ways.
"Gregory saw the mile and six furlongs out the other day and I think he will see the two miles out, too. I think he is very much a progressive sort. He is a three-year-old getting the weight in the race, which is a very big edge. We have done it before with Stradivarius.
"We have been very happy with him since Ascot and he has learnt a lot since then. He would be short on experience, but he is a talented colt with a great mind, very much like his mother and father. He has a very relaxed attitude to life.
"I always have plenty of respect for the opposition, as you learn down the years to have that respect. I think the horse who finished second in the Gold Cup, Coltrane, will be there. He sets a high standard himself.
"Goodwood has its own demands, you swing left right, up, down. It demands a lot of agility from a horse. Interestingly enough, both horses have won there, though I have to say they looked a bit up in the air galloping at some stages, but they would have learnt a lot from those experiences previously at Goodwood."
Gregory is the current favourite for the Goodwood Cup at 2/1 whilst Courage Mon Ami is available at 7/1.
