Godolphin’s Terebellum makes a quick return to the racetrack as she bids for her first Group 1 prize in the Falmouth Stakes on Day 2 of Newmarket’s July Festival on Friday.
The John Gosden-trained four-year-old Sea The Stars filly made a winning reappearance in the Dahlia Stakes before going down narrowly to Aidan O’Brien’s Circus Maximus in the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 16.
With her conqueror out of her way the Godolphin filly, under Frankie Dettori, starts favourite in the seven-runner field that also includes Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid’s Nazeef, who stretched her winning streak to five after a debut third.
Unraced as a two-year-old, Terebellum ran only four times last year. She made a winning racecourse debut at Goodwood and placed third in a Listed event at Newbury.
She ran twice in France, winning the Group 2 Prix de la Nonette at Deauville before finishing fifth at Longchamp’s Group 1 Prix de l’Opera.
“Terebellum showed a great attitude at Royal Ascot and should have every chance of going one better in a fillies’ [and mares] only race,” Gosden told the Godolphin website.
The second day of the July Festival features a pair of heritage handicaps, and Godolphin is well represented in both races.
Dubai Future (Jason Watson) and Dubai Horizon (Josephine Gordon) were second and third for Saeed bin Suroor in the Group 3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy at Meydan in February and the duo re-oppose in the Class 2 Handicap over 14-furlongs.
Charlie Appleby’s Listed winner Ghostwatch (William Buick) is the third Godolphin entry in the race.
Global Storm (Buick), who was third in the Golden Gates Handicap at Royal Ascot, and recent Newmarket scorer Al Maysan (James Doyle) both go for Appleby in the Class 2 Handicap over a mile and a quarter.
On Saturday, Godolphin will be conspicuous in their absence in the Group 1 July Cup but Sheikh Hamdan’s Khaadem faces Hello Youmzain and Sceptical in an intriguing re-match.
Khaadem finished fourth behind winner Hello Youmzain and third-placed Sceptical in the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 20.
The Charles Hills-trained four-year-old Dark Angel colt had was beaten only a length and a quarter and is expected to come from that run in what looks like a hot contest that also include Clive Cox’s Golden Horde, the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup winner at Royal Ascot.
