Merchant Steps Up in Class and Battles to Gordon Stakes Triumph at Goodwood

The Highclere Colt Held Off Wimbledon Hawkeye and Emerges as a Great Voltigeur Contender; St Leger Bid Unlikely for Now

Merchant Digs In From the 200-Meter Mark to the Wire Over Soft Ground / GOODWOOD

CHICHESTER, Inglaterra (Special for Turf Diario).- The HKJC World Pool Gordon Stakes (G3, 2400m, soft) turned into a test of grit and heart, and it was Merchantwho rose to the occasion. The son of Nathaniel, already a Royal Ascot winner in the King George V Stakes, added another major line to his resume Thursday with a narrow but meaningful victory, edging out Wimbledon Hawkeye(Kameko) in a dramatic finish under challenging conditions.

A threat of lightning delayed the start, and the soft going proved tricky for many. Sent off as the favourite, Merchantwas forced to bide his time towards the rear as Wimbledon Hawkeye surged to the front with 400 metres to run. What followed was a gripping duel down the stretch, with the William Haggas trainee and Tom Marquand managing to get up by a nose after a determined drive.

“I didn’t know we’d won until Roger Varian, the runner-up’s trainer, walked with me down the stands and told me we had,” said Haggas. “It was a tough race, and the horse really had to show some guts. James Owen did a great job getting Wimbledon Hawkeye back on track after Royal Ascot, and his colt ran a huge race. He’ll probably feel unlucky not to have won—but someone had to, and this time it was us.”

Although the Gordon Stakes is a traditional springboard to the G1 St Leger, Haggas was noncommittal: “We haven’t made a decision. We’ll speak with Harry Herbert from Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, but my gut feeling is no. Desert Hero didn’t come out of it well last year. The plan was the Great Voltigeur, but this was a hard race, and Merchant will need at least ten quiet days before we think about what’s next.”

From the saddle, Marquand praised the colt’s courage: “I needed a brave horse today. Wimbledon Hawkeye came down the hill really well and kept on. Merchant hated the ground—he felt in trouble the whole way—but he stuck to his guns. To get his nose in front was a big effort. The runner-up loved the surface and nearly got us, like it so often happens in these races. Merchant really stepped up today, and that’s encouraging.”

Asked about a possible Leger tilt, Marquand offered cautious optimism: “He could do it. The thing is, if he doesn’t like this kind of ground, it’s hard to see him getting fast ground at Doncaster in September. But if he does, I’d love to be aboard.”

Highclere’s Harry Herbert was equally enthusiastic: “He’s got a beautiful action, so this soft ground was definitely not to his liking. To win a Gordon Stakes—it’s just thrilling. He’s a very special colt. I’d say he’s the best we’ve had since Harbinger (Dansili). I’m not comparing them, but he’s a proper horse.”

Herbert confirmed the G2 Great Voltigeur Stakes at York remains the preferred target, depending on how Merchant comes out of this race: “It was a tough test. If he were to win there, maybe we’d allow ourselves to dream about the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.”

Trainer Andrew Balding was satisfied with third-placed Windlord: “I’m pleased with that. It was his first run over the trip, and he handled it well. He copes with different ground types and continues to run at a high level.”