The Festival Stakes (Saturday 25 May) is a Listed Race run at Goodwood over 1 mile 1 furlong and 197 yards. The race was first run in 1988, when the brilliant Mtoto became the inaugural winner. Since then, the likes of Alderbrook, Sixties Icon, and First Sitting have joined him on the role of honour.
Festival Stakes 10-Year-Trends
- All 10 winners have been aged between four and seven
- Nine out of 10 winners were rated at least 101
- Eight of the 10 had already raced at least once in the season of their victory
- Only two winners had won their previous race
- Only one favourite and one joint-favourite have won in the last decade
Festival Stakes Winners 2019 Main Contenders
Mirage Dancer
Trainer Michael Stoute has his horses in excellent form this season and this 116-rated five-year-old sets the standard for the other horses to aim at. He’s also won on both of his previous visits to Goodwood, including on this card last year in the Tapster Stakes. The worry about backing him for this race is he’s again entered for that longer contest and that seems his more likely target.
Vintager
His best run came when winning a handicap over a mile at Newmarket last season but he should be fit enough to do himself justice after three runs at Meydan this year. His stable won the race in 2012 and he has a chance on his best form.
Addeybb
Group 2 winner in 2018 and he has the class to win this if running up to his best. He’s best forgiven a below performance at Chester on his reappearance, where his trainer said he would need the run, but the forecast fast conditions have to be a worry with all of his best form coming on soft ground.
Elarqam
Highly regarded sort, who won both his starts as a two-year-old before being highly tried at three, and there’s a good chance that today’s distance could prove his optimum trip this season. Connections were slightly disappointed with his comeback run, but that form was boosted when the horse that finished just in front of him won the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes last weekend. His trainer also has a good record at Goodwood.
Extra Elusive
Improving four-year-old that has run up to a decent level on two starts on the all-weather and on turf so far this season. He should appreciate fast conditions and it will be no surprise if he goes close.
Festival Stakes 2019 Summary
As Mirage Dancer may well run later on the card, this could be a race to get involved in early in the ante-post markets. Vintager and Addeyb also look beatable and this looks a good opportunity for Elarqam to get back on track.
Mark Johnston thought the world of him when he contested both English and Irish 2,000 Guineas last season and the form of his last run has been boosted in tremendous fashion by last week’s Lockinge Stakes tip Mustashry.
Festival Stakes 2019 Horse Racing Betting Tip
Festival Stakes 2019 Tip: Elarqam (Each-Way)