August 01 / 15.00 Goodwood

15.00

Good To Firm

John Pearce Racing Gordon Stakes (Group 3)

  • Prize money: £113420
  • 1m 3f 218y
  • Class 1
  • 4 runners
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John Pearce Racing Gordon Stakes (Group 3)

Runners: 4 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

5/6 (Won)

  • Win: £1.80
  • Place: £1.25

Form: 11

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Both starts over 1m2f at the Curragh, winning a maiden (good) by a wide margin then making harder work of following up in Group 3 (yielding to soft); bred to relish this longer distance and looks set to show further improvement; respected even with 3lb penalty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

(4)

7th May 2026

Good

1m 5f 84y

Class 1

15:05 Chester

Jan Brueghel

9st 2lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

Underperformed in the King George on last appearance, having set a pace that perhaps wasn't strong enough given his proven stamina (St Leger winner); cheekpieces worn that day are now removed; mostly progressive otherwise, still has a good strike-rate (5-7) and showed tip-top form to beat Calandagan in the 2025 Coronation Cup at Epsom; the pick on ratings, accordingly.

6/5

3

(2)

26th Jul 2025

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

16:10 Ascot

Jan Brueghel

9st 9lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

Ballydoyle colt and son of 2001 King George winner Galileo; record suggests he won't mind what the weather does; sometimes sweats, including in both starts this term, and looked a difficult ride on reappearance; bounced back in the Coronation Cup at Epsom where he knuckled down well to beat Calandagan, taking form figures to 111121 and Group 1 score to 2-2 (gained the other win in last year's St Leger); has very progressive RPRs in the main; highly respected, assuming he takes well to first-time headgear.

7/4

9/2

  • Place: £1.45

Form: 41-173

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Useful colt whose 1m2f form comprises a success in Epsom Listed race (good) and commendable third in Royal Ascot Group 3 (good to firm); doesn't appear to be crying out for this return to 1m4f and he's held by Sayedaty Sadaty on Derby running.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(5)

2nd May 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 2

16:45 Newmarket

Bellum Justum

10st 0lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Andrew Balding

Seemingly ring-rusty on Group 3 return at Newbury two weeks ago, the same story as in 2025 when he followed that race with a win at this meeting in a four-runner 1m4f Group 2 with first-time cheekpieces; they were kept for two modest efforts last June but have not been called on this season; this is his first handicap and he has a big chance if springing back to his best.

7/1

5th

4

(7)

18th Apr 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

14:35 Newbury

Bellum Justum

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Won Group 2 at Newmarket (1m4f, good) last May in first-time cheekpieces, which were kept for two modest efforts in June but not today; first run since a gelding operation in September; ring-rusty on his 2025 reappearance in this race and the market may reveal whether the same is expected this time.

12/1

9th

3

(9)

21st Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

15:05 Ascot

Bellum Justum

9st 3lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Andrew Balding

Displayed improved form in first-time cheekpieces (retained since) when winning the Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket (1m4f, good) last month; flopped in the Group 1 Coronation Cup at Epsom subsequently but was reportedly unsuited by the good to soft ground; he could be just the type of older horse his trainer excels with and he's not ruled out.

25/1

Form: 13-225

Last run: 61 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Record of only 1-8 for Andrew Balding and has looked quirky but he appeared to run very well in the Derby (1m4f, good to soft; 50-1 fifth of 16) most recently; has since changed ownership and stable; leading claims provided the Epsom effort is backed up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

(1)

1st Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 3f 218y

Class 1

15:00 Goodwood

Sayedaty Sadaty

9st 3lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: David Simcock

Record of only 1-8 for Andrew Balding and has looked quirky but he appeared to run very well in the Derby (1m4f, good to soft; 50-1 fifth of 16) most recently; has since changed ownership and stable; leading claims provided the Epsom effort is backed up.

4/1

5th

14

(2)

1st Jun 2024

Good To Soft

1m 4f 6y

Class 1

16:30 Epsom

Sayedaty Sadaty

9st 2lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Andrew Balding

His 2yo season was chaotic at times, including when winning a 1m AW novice, but there was no sign of awkwardness here on final 2yo start, nor when bearing up well in a tight finish to 1m Listed AW race on return; made most of the running and kept on steadily in 1m2f Listed race at Newmarket (good) since and this step up in trip should suit on pedigree; needs to find much more but the yard's outsiders have proved well worth a look in this race.

50/1

2nd

4

(4)

3rd May 2024

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

14:25 Newmarket

Sayedaty Sadaty

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Quirky at times last year but proved straightforward in Newcastle Listed race (1m, AW) on reappearance, finishing a good second; bred to stay this new trip; possibilities provided he goes the right way.

11/2

Form: 1-5314 C

Last run: 43 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Solid third in the Lingfield Derby Trial (form has major substance) then bagged Listed honours at this course (1m3f, good) later in May; outstayed, having refused to settle, over 1m6f at Royal Ascot since; may have more to offer back down in trip and remains of interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(4)

6th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 1

13:35 Kempton (AW)

Meydaan

9st 7lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Creditable second in Group 3 contest at Glorious Goodwood (1m4f) last time but this is a better race for the grade; inconsistent otherwise this term; returns to AW for first time since debut win.

14/1

2nd

5

(5)

2nd Aug 2025

Soft

1m 3f 218y

Class 1

13:20 Goodwood

Meydaan

9st 3lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Well below form in his sole run on softer than good (on soft in France last September); last year's best shows were at 1m3f-1m6f but he delivered a big career best this May when close second in 1m2f Goodwood Listed race; two backward steps over 1m2f since see him back up in trip today; form chance relies on that one performance three starts back, so others look more solid.

4/1

5th

5

(2)

19th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Newbury

Meydaan

9st 8lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Well below form on his sole run on softer than good; last year's best shows were at 1m3f-1m6f but a big career best this May when close second in 1m2f Listed race at Goodwood; held up and never got into it in 16-runner Listed event at Royal Ascot next time; chance relies on that one Goodwood run.

8/1

Non-runners

Align The Stars

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £3.90
Straight Forecast £3.18
Trifecta £12.30

Selections

POSTDATA:

Jan Brueghel

SPOTLIGHT:

Sayedaty Sadaty

Telegraph:

Meydaan

The Star:

Align The Stars

Daily Mirror:

Meydaan

The Times:

Jan Brueghel

The Guardian:

Jan Brueghel

Daily Mail:

Jan Brueghel

D Express:

Jan Brueghel

The Sun:

Jan Brueghel

Daily Record:

Jan Brueghel

RP RATINGS:

Sayedaty Sadaty

TOPSPEED:

Sayedaty Sadaty