Goodwood, England: If French jockey Olivier Peslier had a microphone in his hand, he would probably have joyously belted out the British national anthem after partnering Queen Elizabeth II’s Dartmouth to victory on the final day’s racing at Glorious Goodwood on Saturday.
The former champion, who is known for his good-natured side as much as he is for his riding ability, was delighted to notch his first success of the festival in racing’s most recognisable and ornate silks in the Educate A Child Stakes Handicap.
“God save the Queen!” he quipped. “He [Dartmouth] is very nice and has good acceleration.”
The winner was denying Godolphin a second victory of the week following Toormore’s triumph on the opening day on Tuesday.
On an emotionally-charged day’s racing, Richard Hughes brought down the curtain on his glittering 27-year riding career, but, as luck would have it, he went out without a winner.
It came to light that Hughes was asked to partner the Queen’s colt by Sir Michael Stoute, but he was committed to riding Senrima for Brian Meehan’s stable instead. Peslier picked up the spare ride and steered Dartmouth to victory.
As a sellout crowd at Goodwood stood up to applaud Hughes as he went out for his first ride, fellow jockeys and valets formed a guard of honour for the man who rode 179 winners at the course, of which 56 came at Glorious Goodwood. He has been the leading jockey at the event four times, from 2010 to 2013, including a modern-day record of nine successes in 2010.
Meanwhile, Lady Of Dubai, an impressive third in the Epsom Oaks (G1) in June, could only finish sixth behind the outstanding Legatissimo in the featured Nassau Stakes (G1).
Bright Approach, another Dubai-owned runner, finished eighth.
The David Wachman-trained filly Legatissimo, patiently ridden by Wayne Lordan, was towards the back of the field before storming to the front close to home for an unflappable two-and-a-quarter-length victory over Wedding Vow.
Winner of the 1,000 Guineas earlier this year, Legatissimo was narrowly beaten in the Oaks and Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh.
Lordan said: “She’s a very high-class filly, she travels and has plenty of speed. She has everything, she was just unfortunate to lose out by a short head on two occasions, but she is back to her best again.”
Newmarket-based Italian handler Marco Botti enjoyed a 100 per cent strike rate at the festival when his only runner, Golden Steps, comfortably landed the Stewards’ Sprint Handicap.
Celebrating his first ever Glorious Goodwood success, Botti said: “I am delighted. He won well and [jockey] Frankie [Dettori] gave him a great ride.
“I knew that he had a good race in him. We have always thought that he was a well handicapped horse and he is progressive and he handled the track really well. I think the race panned out really well in that they went fast and that’s what he wanted — a strong pace.”
