The exhilarating conclusion of Glorious Goodwood 2025 witnessed a remarkable triumph as Richard Spencer’s formidable three-year-old, Two Tribes, surged to victory in the prestigious Coral Stewards’ Cup, marking a spectacular highlight on the festival’s final day. This highly anticipated event, a cornerstone of the Goodwood Festival, provided a fitting climax to five days of top-tier horse racing action, cementing its reputation as a premier fixture in the global racing calendar.
Under the masterful guidance of jockey David Egan, Two Tribes demonstrated exceptional form and tactical prowess on Saturday, August 2nd. Having recently secured a 25-1 win in the International Handicap at Ascot, the Spencer-trained gelding defied the challenge of a 6lb penalty and a quick turnaround, demonstrating remarkable resilience and speed. His dominant performance saw him take control inside the final two furlongs, drawing clear by a decisive two-and-a-quarter-length margin from Richard Fahey’s closing Strike Red, with stablemates Jakajaroo and Run Boy Run also placing highly, showcasing the strength of the Spencer stable at the Glorious Goodwood Festival.
Richard Spencer, the delighted trainer, expressed his immense satisfaction, noting the exceptional condition of Two Tribes. He acknowledged the challenge of running twice within seven days, especially in competitive, large-field races like the Stewards’ Cup, yet marvelled at the horse’s impressive winning margin. Spencer highlighted the collective effort that led to this significant victory, underscoring the dedication required to achieve success at this level of horse racing.
Phil Cunningham, owner of the three Spencer-trained contenders, shared the thrill and complexity of having multiple runners in such a demanding race. He revealed that Two Tribes’ participation was a last-minute decision, a change of plan that ultimately paid off handsomely, driven by the horse’s qualification and the significant prize money on offer at the Glorious Goodwood Festival. Cunningham emphasized the collaborative “team decision” and expressed his ongoing pursuit of major wins in horse racing, celebrating the continuous improvement of their equine talent.
Beyond the Stewards’ Cup, Glorious Goodwood 2025 celebrated other notable successes. Waardah, trained by Owen Burrows, delivered a powerful performance to claim the Group Two Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes. This improving filly, ridden by Callum Rodriguez, showcased her burgeoning talent and stamina, making it two wins from two starts at Goodwood and hinting at further progression in her racing career.
Adding to the festival’s excitement, Al Aasy, under jockey Jim Crowley, secured a back-to-back victory in the Group Three Coral Glorious Stakes. The Willie Haggas-trained eight-year-old demonstrated enduring class, proving he remains a formidable competitor despite his age. His characteristic late surge allowed him to comfortably dominate the field, reinforcing his status as a fan favourite at the Goodwood Festival.
Furthermore, Sam Hawkens, also from Willie Haggas’s yard, completed a remarkable hat-trick of victories in the Coral Summer Handicap, ridden by Tom Marquand. This consistent four-year-old continued his upward trajectory, demonstrating significant improvement throughout the season. Trainer Haggas confirmed plans for Sam Hawkens to travel to Australia, highlighting the international ambitions following his impressive performance at Glorious Goodwood.
The festival also saw triumphs for Andrew Balding’s Gladius in the Coral Golden Rewards Shaker Handicap and Aidan O’Brien’s Isaac Newton, who secured his maiden victory in the British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes, marking him as a promising prospect for future Group company. The event attracted notable figures, including former Liverpool and England football star Michael Owen, underscoring the broad appeal and prestige of the Glorious Goodwood Festival.
