Zoustar Half-Sibling Takes On Stradivarius

Stradivarius (Sea the Stars-Private Life, by Bering) has plenty of challenges ahead of his bid to win an unprecedented fifth Gr1 Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup, reports racingtv.com. "Most of the time when you go racing as an owner you hope they run well, and you hope maybe they'll win, but Stradivarius is that rarest of horse and it's been the case since he won his first Gold Cup that you go there hoping he isn't going to lose, so the feeling watching a race is the opposite to what it normally is," said owner Bjorn Nielsen. "There are still some very good horses there though, and any rain is going to suit Trueshan. We can't underestimate Sir Ron Priestley either, who Mark Johnston has supplemented and is no slouch. You are always going to need some luck in running at Goodwood too - things have to go your way." Trueshan (Planteur-Shao Line, by General Holme) ran poorly last start but has previously beaten Stradivarius in similar wet conditions to this race. In the field is Listed winner Emperor of the Sun (Galileo-Zouzou, by Redoute's Choice), an Irish bred half-sibling to Group 1 winner and sire Zoustar (Northern Meteor). Aidan O'Brien will run two Derby winners, being last year's Irish Derby winner Santiago (Authorized-Wadyhatta, by Cape Cross) and Epsom Derby winner Serpentine (Galileo-Remember When, by Danehill Dancer), while trainer Mark Johnston has paid the £25,000 supplement fee to add Sir Ron Priestley (Australia-Reckoning, by Danehill Dancer), and he also has Nayef Road (Galileo-Rose Bonheur, by Danehill Dancer) as a contender. Zouzou moved to Ireland in 2015 and has three foals by Galileo of racing age from her time there.