Group Two Celebration Mile Stakes Guide 2023

Alex Dudley | @@Alex_Dudz_

Goodwood - August 25 2023
Goodwood 13:40
1(7)
Cieren Fallon

Aldaary

J: Cieren Fallon
T: William Haggas
N/A
Age: 5
Weight: 9-6
OR: 113
Days: 24

Cieren Fallon takes the ride on William Haggas-trained Aldaary. The five-year-old was last seen over a mile at Goodwood, but he was no match for Paddington, finishing five lengths behind the eventual winner.

However, he was impressive over the mile at Ascot in July, finishing second in the G2 Summer Mile Stakes. He’s consistent enough to support, but could be vulnerable against a progressive rival.

Goodwood - August 25 2023
Goodwood 13:40
3(5)
Saffie Osborne

Random Harvest

J: Saffie Osborne
T: Ed Walker
N/A
Age: 5
Weight: 9-3
OR: 108
Days: 28

In-form Saffie Osborne takes the ride on Random Harvest this weekend. The five-year-old mare was last seen winning at Ascot over a mile to land the G3 Valiant Stakes by a neck from Roman Mist.

She is certainly incredibly consistent below Group One level, with her only finish outside the top two in four starts coming in the G1 Falmouth Stakes when Random Harvest finished sixth. Should be in the mix.

Goodwood - August 25 2023
Goodwood 13:40
2(3)
Hector Crouch

Angel Bleu

J: Hector Crouch
T: Ralph Beckett
N/A
Age: 4
Weight: 9-6
OR: 111
Days: 42

Hector Crouch takes the ride on Ralph Beckett-trained Angel Bleu on Saturday. The four-year-old was fourth of eight over a mile at Ascot in July, finishing seven lengths behind Master of the Seas.

However, he does have interesting form that ties in with Holguin, having beaten his reappearing rival over seven furlongs at Haydock in mid-May. But, he is unlikely to be the top selection for many this weekend.

Goodwood - August 25 2023
Goodwood 13:40
4(8)
David Egan

Charyn

J: David Egan
T: Roger Varian
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-0
OR: 114
Days: 24

Roger Varian’s runner in the race this weekend is Charyn. The three-year-old will be the ride of David Egan on Saturday, as he looks to progress after finishing third, and four and a half lengths behind Goodwood on his previous start.

However, it would be a slight concern that he is yet to score this year, and has finished in the top two on just one occasion.

Goodwood - August 25 2023
Goodwood 13:40
6(4)
Tom Queally

Galeron

J: Tom Queally
T: Charles Hills
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-0
OR: 109
Days: 22

Galeron is a runner from the Charles Hills yard this weekend. Tom Queally takes the ride this weekend. The three-year-old finished third in the G3 Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes over a mile on his previous start, behind Epictetus.

He is yet to make an impression at this level, but he was a winner over six furlongs last year at Goodwood, and his course form does make an interesting angle.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
04/11/23RSH7.5Gd8-1316
26/08/23GOO8Sft9-07
04/08/23GOO8Sft9-33
20/06/23ASC8Gd9-29
27/05/23CUR8Gd9-25
Goodwood - August 25 2023
Goodwood 13:40
7(1)
David Probert

Holguin

J: David Probert
T: Andrew Balding
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-0
OR: 110
Days: 25

Andrew Balding’s runner in the race this weekend is Holguin. David Probert will take the ride on Saturday, as the three-year-old looks to get back on track. He was fourth of six over seven furlongs at Goodwood at the start of the month, finishing four lengths behind Kinross.

He has won just once from seven efforts in stakes company, with his win coming over Fast Response in the Memorial City Plate Stakes in mid-July.

Goodwood - August 25 2023
Goodwood 13:40
5(6)
Kieran Shoemark

Epictetus

J: Kieran Shoemark
T: John & Thady Gosden
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-0
OR: 113
Days: 22

Kieran Shoemark will take the ride on Epictetus this weekend. The John & Thady Gosden-trained runner was excellent at Goodwood on his previous start, beating the highly-regarded Nostrum by a length.

That success over course and distance is considerably his best performance to date, and he is incredibly consistent over a mile, with his only two career defeats over the distance coming against Silver Knott and Auguste Rodin last year.

Goodwood - August 25 2023
Goodwood 13:40
8(2)
James Doyle

Knight

J: James Doyle
T: Simon & Ed Crisford
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-0
OR: 107
Days: 22

James Doyle will take the ride on Knight this weekend. The runner from the Simon & Ed Crisford yard has won just twice from four starts on the turf.

He was fourth in the G3 Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes on his first start after a 104-day break in early August, finishing just under three lengths behind Epictetus. However, it appears challenging to see that form being reversed.