• Glorious Goodwood

Toronado outshines Dawn Approach in Sussex Stakes

Toronado had been pipped twice by Dawn Approach prior to the Sussex Stakes, but finished strong to take victory at Goodwood © Getty Images

Enlarge

Toronado produced a storming finish under jockey Richard Hughes to win the Sussex Stakes ahead of odds-on favourite and rival Dawn Approach at Glorious Goodwood.

In what had been dubbed "duel on the Downs", Hughes timed his move to perfection on Toronado to edge clear in the final furlong and beat the 2,000 Guineas winner, claiming first prize for trainer Richard Hannon.

Godolphin-owned Approach held a two-nil lead over Toronado prior to the Group One race, having won the Guineas at Newmarket before pipping the colt in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.

However, the advantage was handed to Hughes early as Approach's stablemate Leitir Mor missed the break from the gate and had to make up ground quickly in order to set the pace.

Jockey Kevin Manning loosened Dawn Approach's reins on the bend to the home straight, taking a four length lead over Toronado, with Gregorian and Derby winner Declaration of War in close proximity.

Joseph O'Brien, son of trainer Aidan O'Brien, challenged on board Declaration of War before Hughes came storming on the outside and produced a thrilling finish with the Jim Bolger-trained favourite, getting up to win by half-a-length.

O'Brien held on for third on Declaration of War, while Trade Storm was a further five lengths behind in fourth.

"[That] was very sweet," winning jockey Hughes told Channel Four. "Just when I kicked him in the belly, it wasn't as instant on that ground as it would have been on fast ground. It was a great race and he was very brave, he's brilliant.

"It was a true-run race and he was always travelling well but as I say, when I went to go it wasn't quite as instant as it was in the mornings."

Trainer Hannon said: "Revenge is sweet I suppose, but they are two great horses. Richard Hughes said the other morning when he worked him that he was the best he had ever ridden. We've had some good horses, but he's very good."

Elsewhere, Broxbourne came good in the Goodwood Stakes for Mark Johnston and Joe Fanning, while Cap O'Rushes provided Godolphin with a winner when beating Excess Knowledge by a head in the Gordon Stakes.

In an almost identical race to his earlier win on Toronado, Hughes once more pipped the colours of Godolphin to win the Vintage Stakes for trainer Hannon, steering 5/4 favourite Toormore home ahead of Outstrip.

Magic City crowned a treble for Hughes and Hannon in the final race of the day when landing the Harwoods Racing Club Handicap.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd