skip to main content

All options open to Ghanaati

Ghanaati finished a respectable third in the Sussex Stakes
Ghanaati finished a respectable third in the Sussex Stakes

Ghanaati may step up to 10 furlongs in a bid to get back on the winning path following her defeat in the Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.

Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum's filly took minor honours behind the colts Rip Van Winkle and Paco Boy in a vintage renewal of the mile showpiece, her first defeat of the season after wins in the 1000 Guineas and Coronation Stakes.

Barry Hills' charge has several options, including the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot and Newmarket's Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes, which are over a mile, plus the Juddmonte International at York on 18 August and the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes at Newmarket, both over a mile and a quarter.

‘We're very happy with her. She had her first canter back this morning and moved well,’ said Hills' son and assistant, Charlie.

‘We'll just take our time with her. We're not sure where we are going to go, but she seems fine in herself.

‘She has plenty of options. We haven't made our minds up yet about her next race, but it won't be long before we decide where we are going to go.

‘Looking back at the Sussex again, she probably hasn't run a bad race. It was no disgrace being beaten by those two (Rip Van Winkle and Paco Boy). I'm sure she'll have her day again.

‘Stepping up in distance shouldn't be a problem. She's in plenty of races over a mile and a quarter, but we'll just take our time.’

Read Next