On a day of high-class action at the Qatar Goodwood Festival a young horse for the future emerged from the European Breeders Fund EBF Maiden.
Cobra Eye (15/8f), a two-year-old son of stallion Kodiac, became a second winner on the card for Frankie Dettori (completing a 4.18/1 double), who nursed his mount to a short-head victory over runner-up Fuwayrit (8/1), the mount of Ryan Moore. Lost In Time (9/2) finished third, a further one and a half lengths back, and 10 ran.
The winner is trained by Yorkshire’s John Quinn for owners Phoenix Thoroughbreds, who bought him as a yearling for €150,000 at a sale in France. He made his debut at Haydock Park recently when finishing second.
At the conclusion to a closely-run race Quinn said: “I knew two strides from the line he was second, but on the line I wasn’t sure. That man [Dettori] got him home in front. He’s probably the best jockey in the world and we’ve had great luck together – he won the [G1] Prix Morny for us on The Wow Signal and last year he won the [G2] Prix Robert Papin on Signora Cabello. He’s always very welcoming when we ring him to ride, but on this occasion he rang us, or at least Ray Cochrane [Dettori’s agent] rang us. Well done Ray. We were so pleased.
“He’s a very nice horse, a little bit raw but we won’t rush him, and he has a nice pedigree. He could probably do with another furlong now. I’m delighted, because as you know there’s a huge difference between winning by a short-head and being beaten that far.
“He only made his debut 11 days ago, and after going to Haydock and back, and then all the way down here he’s taken it all very well. He was drawn one and yet in he went and stood in there very well.
“I’m very pleased for Phoenix Thoroughbreds, who bought the filly [Signora Cabello] off us last year and after that sent us some very nice horses, including some nice two-year-olds.”
COBRA SNAKES HIS WAY TO SUCCESS
Frankie Dettori recorded a quickfire 4.18/1 double after 15/8 favourite Cobra Eye captured the European Breeders Fund EBF Maiden Stakes.
Trained by John Quinn, the two-year-old son of Kodiac knuckled down gamely under Dettori to repel the challenge of 8/1 shot Fuwayrit by a short-head in the six-furlong event.
Dettori, who now leads the Racing TV Top Jockey standings having steered Stradivarius to success in the G1 Qatar Goodwood Cup, said: “At the furlong marker, Cobra Eye had a bit of a speed wobble as he is not mature enough, so I thought I would just keep riding him with hands and heels and then he would get the job done.
“In the last 50 yards, I knew I was always in control. I had cover during the race and I was able to really get him going without using him too much – it worked out well.
“I love the horse. He has lots of potential, but he is not there yet. I told John to give the horse a chance and let him develop.”
SECOND RUNNER-UP FOR JOHNSTON
“Second sucks” said trainer Mark Johnston after coming a short head second in the EBF Maiden with 8/1 chance Fuwayrit behind 15/8 favourite Cobra Eye. This followed on from a second in the G1 Qatar Goodwood Cup with Dee Ex Bee.
Johnston went on: “Second again, but it was a great run from the horse. The first and third [Lost In Time] have both had a run and it always makes a difference. He has run really, really well. You can’t take it away from him and he has gone down by a short head.
“We will see how he is and then go for another maiden or novice race somewhere.”
Ryan Moore, rider of the Gutaifan colt, added: “He has run a good race for first time out.”
Oisin Murphy, on board the third, Godolphin’s Lost In Time (9/2), said: “I am happy with the run. I think it was a strong race. The first three home are nice horses.”