Two long-standing maidens stole the show at Brighton’s summer afternoon race day last week, writes Paul Ellison.

In the 1 mile 4 furlong handicap, Fighting Poet opened his account at the twentieth time of asking.

Trained by the charismatic Richard Philips and ridden by teenage sensation Billy Loughnane, the six-year-old gelding was slowly away but always travelled comfortably at the rear of the field.

Loughnane oozed confidence as he eased his mount into contention on the downhill run into the home straight and when asked for his effort, Fighting Poet knuckled down gamely to see off the challenge of Torbellino.

The winner is part-owned by broadcaster John Inverdale who had travelled to Brighton to see his horse run - a worthwhile journey indeed.

In the very next race, Jim Boyle’s Irezumi lined up for his twenty-first contest having yet to get his head in front.

Not wanting to be overshadowed by the victor of the previous contest, Irezumi decided today was the day, swooping from last to first to break his maiden tag in decisive fashion.

 

At Goodwood, West Sussex trainer David Menuisier continued his fine run of form on Saturday, bagging two winners and a third from just three runners.

Menuisier scored a double at Goodwood with City of Delight and the aptly named Goodwood Odyssey landing the spoils, while the progressive three-year-old Master Builder produced a career-best to finish third in the valuable Melrose Handicap at York Ebor’s meeting.

The highlight across the four days of action on the Knavesmire was the performance of Epsom Derby winner City of Troy in the Juddmonte International, trained by the master of Ballydoyle Aidan O’Brien and piloted by Brighton born Ryan Moore, who is still riding at the peak of his powers.

In what proved a spectacular horse race, City of Troy set out to make all the running, using his athletic stride and powerful engine to try and dominate the opposition.

The son of American super-sire Justify had most of the field in trouble three furlongs from home, bar one high-class French challenger by the name of Calandagan, who accelerated into contention and was able to unleash a smart turn off foot to serve it up to City of Troy approaching the two furlong pole.

However, the Ballydoyle colt proved too strong in the closing stages, running on willingly to prevail by a length. Rated as one of the best, if not the best horse he’s ever trained, O’Brien has indicated that the horse’s next assignment could be a trip across the Atlantic to contest the Breeders Cup Classic - a race not won by a European horse since 2008 when Raven’s Pass became the first English trained winner of the Classic for legendary handler John Gosden and the now USA based rider Frankie Dettori.