HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani (right) and jockey Frankie Dettori with Galileo Gold after the Qatar Vintage Stakes win. PICTURE: Juhaim

By Chris Hoover/Chichester, England

Al Shaqab Racing’s Galileo Gold produced a fluent gallop in the final furlong  and thwarted the spirited bid of Ibn Malik to annex the Qatar Vintage Stakes at the Goodwood Racecourse on the opening day of the Qatar Goodwood Festival yesterday.
The Hugo Palmer-trained Galileo Gold came through on the inside with a determined effort from champion Italian saddle artist Frankie Dettori, who gave a power packed ride to the winner. Though Ibn Malik posed a serious threat, Galileo Gold was upto the challenge as he carried the famous silks of HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani to a one and a quarter half length victory. Favourite Birchwooh, who was hampered for room in the final stages of the race, finished off the frame.
Dettori was happy to play the waiting game in the seven-furlong Group Two and remained nearer last than first leaving the back straight.
However, Galileo Gold remained full of running and when the gap came on the far side of the track, he picked up well to get to the lead and he galloped on well for a three-quarter-length victory.
Ibn Malik just held on for the runner-up spot from Palawan, who ran an excellent race having hung across the track in the straight and raced away from the action. Favourite Birchwood did not get much luck in running.
“It was an eventful race and I got the splits at the right time. He dug deep and won well. There is a strong wind and everybody was trying to get cover and they are two-year-olds, so they are bound to run around a bit in the straight,” said Dettori.
“He showed a good attitude and I was very impressed. I got a good run through on the inside. He was very brave and quickened up really well. It’s the first race of the meeting for us and we have started off with a winner. My boss is here today and they have put a hell of a lot of money in this week and it’s nice for them to get a little bit of a reward back.
“He’s a scopey horse and wasn’t stopping. He’s beaten the best around today and he beat them well so we’ve got to aim high. This fellow likes to get his toe in and the ground suited him, he likes it on the easy side of good. He’s quirky but he’s learning and has got a good engine.”
Al Shaqab’s racing manager, Harry Herbert, added: “Sheikh Joaan has just arrived to see the race and see Goodwood in all its glory. He is obviously sponsoring this year and it is a dream start. I am thrilled too for Hugo who is on his honeymoon and can’t be here but I have just spoken to him watching from the beach in Turkey.
“Sheikh Joaan has always said that he wants to support the younger trainers as well and if we are lucky enough to buy a horse like this, we always keep the horse with the trainer. If that is a young trainer and someone whose career is just beginning to blossom and flourish, it’s a bonus.
“Frankie is such an entertainer and I don’t think that he has ever ridden better. He is on top of his form and that was a masterful piece of riding. He makes it fun - it’s fun anyway but, if you are lucky enough to have a Frankie with you, it’s even more fun.
“I love this horse. He has got size and scope and is a wonderful mix between his sire Paco Boy and a lot of Galileo coming in to give him a bit more size. He is an exciting prospect and the best is hopefully yet to come.
“We’ll see where we go now, he’s a horse that can only get better. We don’t want to be greedy and hopefully races likes the Jean-Luc Lagardere, on the Qatar weekend in Paris, the Dewhurst or Racing Post Trophy might be on the agenda.”