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Term Of Endearment scores for Henry de Bromhead at Goodwood

Updated / Saturday, 3 Aug 2024 18:13
Billy Lee guides the hooded Term Of Endearment to victory
Billy Lee guides the hooded Term Of Endearment to victory

Term Of Endearment successfully stepped up in class in the Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes at Goodwood.

Henry de Bromhead's mare had already won twice at Group Three level this season, landing the Give Thanks Stakes at Cork and most recently the Bronte Cup when providing Grand National and Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning jockey Rachael Blackmore with a notable success on her first ever visit to York.

Testing the water at Group Two level for the first time on the Sussex downs, Term Of Endearment was a 15-2 shot in the hands of Billy Lee and finished with gusto over the one-mile-six-furlong trip to get the better of Night Sparkle by three-quarters of a length.

River Of Stars was third, with Caius Chorister weakening into fourth after making much of the running.

For the second year in succession, favourite Free Wind proved bitterly disappointing, this time trailing home last of eight runners.

Lee said of the winner: "She’s done it well. She jumped nicely and got me into a good rhythm the whole way.

"It’s my first time here but I was following Oisin (Murphy, on Night Sparkle) – I tracked him through and this filly picked up well down the hill.

"My only worry was this is the quickest ground she has been on, but she cruised into the race. I was probably there a bit too soon but I knew that she would stay and she’s as fit as a flea from Henry’s.

"I think she is maybe improving. She handled that ground really well and even a step up to two miles might not be out of her reach. It would be nice to see how far she can get."

De Bromhead added: "I’m delighted for Carmel Acheson (owner). We picked this race after York, we said that we would have a go – the owners are good sports people and I’m delighted to do it.

"It’s my first runner here, we’ve had a lovely time, we’ve been well looked after and we’re having a great day.

"I’m not sure I ever go anywhere with confidence but she had won a couple of Group Threes, so it seemed like the natural progression.

"All options are open and we’ll see. She’s in the Irish St Leger and I think there is a nice race at York, so we’ll see."

Get It (40-1) produced a superb frontrunning display to claim a surprise victory in the Coral Stewards' Cup.

Following a winter campaign in Bahrain, George Baker’s sprinter made a fine start back in Britain with back-to-back wins at Windsor and Epsom, but was well held on his most recent outing at Ascot.

However, he roared back to form in some style in the hands of Pat Cosgrave.

Drawn highest of all in stall 28, Get It was smartly out of the stalls and blazed a trail against the stands’ rail for the duration of the six-furlong contest.

There were plenty still in with a chance entering the final furlong, with horses spread across the track, but Get It stuck to his guns to claim the first prize of almost £129,000 by half a length.

Apollo One picked up the silver medal in second, with the well-fancied Billyjoh third and Mostabshir in fourth.

"It’s an old cliche but I couldn’t believe what price he was this morning. Forget about his last run, he hates Ascot – it was a £100,00 race but we shouldn’t have gone for it, as five furlongs doesn’t suit a front-runner," said Cosgrave.

"He won well at Epsom and I love it when we get drawn on the fence because he likes to jump and get over for a furlong, and then you can ride him after that. I’m not saying that I thought he would win today, but I didn’t think that he was a 40-1 shot.

"It’s tough in the UK because there are a lot of good jockeys, but I am riding for some really good people this year and it’s going along nicely.

"It’s a nice handicap today, but back to work tomorrow. It’s great for George, who’s very enthusiastic about the game."

Baker said: "Being a Sussex man, I’ve been coming to this race since I was five, six, seven – and I watched it for many years before I became a racehorse trainer, so to go and win this race on my doorstep means a huge amount. It really does tick a massive box for me.

"It’s a massive team of wonderful owners and we’ve had a lot of fun with this horse in Bahrain, but I think this party might go on a little bit longer!

"I’ve got local friends here. We’ve got a house full for a week, it’s been a long week, having a party that started on Tuesday and probably won’t end until next Tuesday! It’s magical.

"I couldn’t believe how well he was going. I was delighted we drew that draw. He came out second out of the hat and Pat and I talked about it. Look, it was pretty simple.

"I kept looking around and thinking something is going to come, because you don’t expect to win the Stewards’ Cup, but I’ve just won the Stewards’ Cup!"

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