Valiant second for Home Of The Brave in Lennox Stakes

Home Of The Brave was caught in the shadow of the post as he filled the runner-up spot for a second consecutive year in the seven-furlong G2 Lennox Stakes at Glorious Goodwood on Tuesday, August 1. 

The five-year-old, trained by Hugo Palmer and ridden by James Doyle, was quickly into his stride and soon led the 13 runners on the inside rail. 

He found more when pressed by Spirit Of Valor in the straight and rallied strongly to regain the advantage after Limato briefly hit the front inside the final furlong. 

Home Of The Brave continued to stay on resolutely but was collared near the line by Breton Rock, who came wide from last to first for a half-length success in 1m 26.62s on ground described as good, good to soft in places in the straight.

Hugo Palmer reported: “It was a great race from Home Of The Brave. James was incredulous coming in, Home Of The Brave had fought back against Limato and beaten him off, and then still lost the race. 

“Credit to the winner, he has had to come past them all. We know Breton Rock is at his best when he can get his toe in the ground and that tells you the truth about the ground today. It is nice good ground but they are getting their toe in.

“There is no excuse for my horse. He won his race. The plan was always three runs in England and then we would look overseas. He has done nothing there today to suggest that it should change. 

“I think he would be very competitive in a Breeders Cup Mile (G1, Del Mar, November 4) or something similar. He likes time between his races. The obvious thing is to give him a nice break and take him to California. 

James Doyle added: “I couldn’t fault Home Of The Brave. He won his race with Limato, but Breton Rock has come down the middle of the track and done us all."