Gosden’s Gregory and Sweet William Ready to Battle in Doncaster Cup

Stablemates Gregory and Sweet William will clash in a highly anticipated showdown at the Betfred Howard Wright Doncaster Cup on Friday, as part of day two of the St Leger Festival. Both horses, trained by John and Thady Gosden, head into the Group Two event as leading contenders, having made strong impressions in top staying races throughout the summer.

Gregory has been a consistent presence in high-profile staying races, securing third place in the Yorkshire Cup, Goodwood Cup, and Lonsdale Cup this season. Sweet William, his stable companion, has also proven himself, finishing second at Goodwood and placing third in the prestigious Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, a race in which Gregory underperformed.

Both horses share a unique connection, as they were bred by Normandie Stud’s Philippa Cooper. Sweet William remains in her ownership, while Gregory was sold to Wathnan Racing last season. The pair’s sibling rivalry is bittersweet for Cooper, who expressed mixed emotions about seeing her two star horses face off.

“I hate it when they run against each other. Having bred them both, it’s like having two sons racing against each other in human terms – it’s bittersweet,” said Cooper. “I’m very proud that I’ve bred these two horses, of course I am, and I’ll go to Doncaster, but whether I watch the race or not, I don’t know!”

Cooper remains cautious about their chances despite their strong form, noting, “Because I’m a ‘glass half-empty’ sort of person, I feel they both have to improve to win. Sweet William, bless him, is a classy stayer, and he’s probably the most good-looking horse I’ve ever bred. But I fear he might have reached his level now.”

Reflecting on Sweet William’s pedigree, Cooper added, “He’s a half-brother to Hurricane Lane, who won the Irish Derby and St Leger, and I think he would have been a proper Group One stayer but for his injury. It’s remarkable he’s achieved so much.”

Cooper also highlighted the conditions that could influence the race, saying, “If they were running on soft or heavy ground, Sweet William would always beat Gregory, because Gregory doesn’t enjoy any cut in the ground, but I don’t think there’s going to be much rain at Doncaster.”

The Gosden duo won’t have it easy, as the race also features strong competition. Andrew Balding’s 2022 Doncaster Cup winner Coltrane returns to defend his crown, while Alan King’s Trueshan, the reigning champion, looks to repeat his success. Aidan O’Brien’s Point Lonsdale and Adam Nicol’s Wise Eagle round out the six-horse field in this Qipco British Champions Series contest.

In addition to the Doncaster Cup, Group Two honours are on offer in the Carlsberg Danish Pilsner Flying Childers Stakes. Trainer Mick Appleby will be hoping Big Mojo can replicate the success of stablemate Big Evs, who won the race last year. Big Mojo faces 11 rivals, including the Ger Lyons-trained Magnum Force, Archie Watson’s French Group Three scorer Aesterius, and Simon and Ed Crisford’s Coto De Caza, who will be looking for a hat-trick of wins.

The Listed Betfred Flying Scotsman Stakes also promises to be an exciting race, with Sir Michael Stoute’s Jonquil, an impressive winner on debut at Sandown, aiming to secure another victory before Stoute’s retirement at the end of the season.

As racing fans look forward to Friday’s action, the stage is set for a thrilling day of top-class competition at Doncaster, with both Gregory and Sweet William ready to lay it all on the line in a race that promises high drama and emotional stakes.