Oscula avenged a nose defeat at Ascot last weekend to win the seven-furlong G3 Whispering Angel Oak Tree Stakes in a thrilling finish.
The George Boughey-trained Oscula, who was well-backed into 10/3 favouritism, appeared to have a mountain to climb as 66/1 outsider Internationalangel skipped clear approaching the final furlong. However, William Buick galvanised his mount and the duo produced a strong late finish to get up on the line and win by a head.
French raider Samahram (11/2) was beaten less than two lengths into third despite not having an ideal passage under Frankie Dettori.
Boughey, who was recording his first winner at the Qatar Goodwood Festival, said: “Oscula is a real flagbearer for Nick Bradley, who is a big supporter of the yard.
“She was a huge part of our team last year. I did have my doubts about whether she would come back this year. To come back and, I’m not sure how many times she’s run already this year, but she’s a real star and just keeps trying.
“My girlfriend Laura rides her out, so it is a special success. She has run four times in July and I think she is peaking here. To have run four days ago, she is a remarkable horse. She is by Galileo Gold, who is dear to our hearts, and it means a lot.
“I sent a video to Nick and William Buick of Oscula charging around the paddock yesterday evening. She is remarkable and puts her weight back on within 24 hours [of racing]. She is a real star.
“I have her entered in a G3 in France in a couple of weeks but she would have a penalty now. The long-term aim is the Prix de la Foret, as she loves soft ground.”
Buick said: “Oscula is really tough. All credit to George and his team. They sent me a video of her in the paddock yesterday and she was loving life. She takes her racing extremely well and it’s great.
“After Ascot, I said she must be the unluckiest horse in training, but she deserved that today. She tries very hard and is a very good filly with it.”
Internationalangel’s rider Adam Kirby said: “I thought I had put it to bed, but I just bumped into one on the day. She is a very special filly for the owner [Laurence Holder] and for the yard. She has run with full credit.
“She had a long winter on the All-Weather, but she has had a break and is in very capable hands, so hopefully she keeps on improving.”
Francis-Henri Graffard said of the third: “I thought Samahram would have enough pace to use her good draw [5], but she could not keep her position. When I saw where she was, I thought she needed a lot of luck in running. I knew she had the quality to quicken, but Frankie said he got stopped twice.
“She is a nice filly and that is the most important thing. You come here and want to win. I really like this place and really want to win a race here. We need luck and she will have her day.”
2.25pm Whispering Angel Oak Tree Stakes (Group 3)
1 Oscula (Nick Bradley Racing 20) George Boughey 3-8-12 William Buick 10/3F
2 Internationalangel (Laurence Holder) Jane Chapple-Hyam 5-9-05 Adam Kirby 66/1
3 Samahram (Al Shaqab Racing) Francis-Henri Graffard FR 3-8-12 Frankie Dettori 11/2
15 ran
George Boughey – 1st Qatar Goodwood Festival winner
William Buick – 35th Qatar Goodwood Festival winner