A winner with his first runner at the track for jockey-turned-trainer Richard Hughes capped a fantastic Opening Saturday at Goodwood Racecourse.

Having retired from the saddle on the final day of the 2015 Qatar Goodwood Festival to a rapturous send off, Hughes switched his attention to training from his Lambourn base. And he restarted where he left off, when Russian Realm won the Betfred ‘Treble odds on Lucky 15s’ Handicap Stakes under Shane Kelly and was met with a warm reception from racegoers. Members of the Goodwood Racehorse Owners’ Group will no doubt be bolstered by the success, as they have a two-year-old in training with Hughes.

Earlier on the card, the Listed Betfred TV EBF Stallions Daisy Warwick Stakes went to Carnachy, trained by Newmarket handler David Simcock and ridden by Sean Levey. The other Listed race of the afternoon, The Betfred ‘1400 Shops Nationwide’ EBF Conqueror Stakes, was won in good style by Blond Me for trainer Andrew Balding and jockey David Probert.

Perhaps the most fitting winner of the day though was Marmalady, who won the Betfred ‘Supports Jack Berry House’ Handicap Stakes for local syndicate owners Heart of the South Racing. Radnor Preserves, purveyors of a marmalade that was awarded Champion of Champion's Double Gold Prize at the World Marmalade Awards 2015, were holding a stall on the course inside the artisan food market and company founder Joanna Morgan ran excitedly into the Winner’s Enclosure after the horse had won. “I saw the name and had to have a bet,” she said, “I only had ten pounds on but it returned at 16-1.” The Racecourse team decided that it would be apt for Joanna to present the prize to winning connections.

Radnor Preserves were just one of a number of award winners to hold stalls in the artisan food market and racegoers were able to purchase fine fayre throughout the afternoon. Guests were also able to enjoy cooking displays from Goodwood chefs and members of the rhubarb team.

Over at Newmarket, the QIPCO 2,000 Guineas was won in impressive fashion by Galileo Gold, who last season captured the Qatar Vintage Stakes during the Qatar Goodwood Festival. Trained by Hugo Palmer, the Al Shaqab-owned Classic winner is also the subject of Goodwood’s 2016 marketing campaign image by Ripley.

ENDS

For press information, please contact; Sam Hanson, Racecourse PR Executive

E: sam.hanson@goodwood.com 

T: 01243 755 000

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