Dutch Connection Leads Home Lennox 1-2 For Godolphin

Dutch Connection beat Home Of The Brave as the two Godolphin four-year-old colts dominated the finish to the G2 Qatar Lennox Stakes over seven furlongs on day one of the Qatar Goodwood Festival at Gooodwood, UK, on Tuesday, July 26.

Dutch Connection (Charlie Hills/James McDonald), runner-up to Toormore in the same race 12 months ago, settled in fourth of the eight-strong field and moved up to third a furlong and a half from home.

He ran on powerfully to take over the advantage entering the final furlong and forged clear in the closing stages to prevail by a length and three quarters in 1m 24.48s on ground called good to firm, good in places.

Home Of The Brave (Hugo Palmer/James Doyle) hit the front entering the final furlong after racing in second for most of the contest and kept on after being headed by Dutch Connection to finish a further length and three quarters ahead of Gifted Master in third.

Charlie Hills said: "James came down and rode out on his first morning three years ago, and Dad said, 'Who's that jockey? I haven't seen a jockey like that on these gallops since Steve Cauthen,' so that's a high accolade.

"We seemed to hit it off pretty well. I think he is a world-class jockey and he's still very young, so I think we are going to see him here quite a bit. He's young, seems very laidback and has a good relationship with horses. He is very positive."

"Dutch Connection won his maiden here well and ran a good race in the Lennox Stakes last year. He brought some good form into this race and I always felt that he had a favourite's chance.

"We will have to speak to John Ferguson and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed to see where we go next. There are options for him in Saratoga and maybe the Prix Maurice de Gheest in France as well.

"I wouldn't mind bringing him back to six and a half furlongs, but I would have thought that a two-turn mile would be right up his street. Fast ground is really the key to him, he loves it quick, and he's a fine, big horse who should improve as he gets older.

"Dutch Connection really deserved this - last year was tough. He was second in this race and was knocking on the door a good few times. We took him to America and it never stopped raining every time he ran - it's been the same this year.

"I cannot see any reason why he couldn't win a Group One on the right ground and there are plenty of options for him now, not just here but abroad as well. They went a good solid pace today and he has a high cruising speed so it played into his hands.

"Running him over a mile on stiff tracks like Ascot has just been finding him out, and when he got to the front I was a little concerned, but then he pulled away."

James McDonald commented: "The race panned out well. The strong pace set it up well for my horse. He travelled very well and when I eased him out the race was over a fair way from home. Once he coasted up to the leader, it was all over.

"Dutch Connection is a very good horse who is very capable on his day. Hopefully, he can win that elusive Group One in the future. He adapted to the conditions underfoot superbly and I wouldn't run him on any ground apart from that.

"He's an awesome horse and I can't believe that I have won a big race for Charlie Hills. He's an absolute brother of mine - he brought me over here three years ago and he and his team have shown so much faith. I can't thank them enough."

The Australian-based, New Zealand-born jockey added: "It has been brilliant. I head home on Saturday, so I am making the most of my opportunities and hopefully I will get a couple more.

"I only come over here for short stints but I have got a lot of support and I am delighted with how it has gone."

McDonald had earlier finished a one and three-quarter length second aboard Thunder Snow in the G2 Qatar Vintage Stakes and he said: "I was thrilled with him. He was a lovely colt who was very immature but he ran superbly well. He has a nice future."

Hugo Palmer said: "I'm slightly frustrated and disappointed. James Doyle said Home Of The Brave never settled, he ran with the choke out all the way.

"When you've trained a horse to lead for three years - because that is what he does, it's quite difficult to get them to change their modus operandi.

"He has showed what a good horse he is. I think there is certainly a Group Two in him and possibly a Group One in him if we go abroad."