Battaash team ponder retirement

Connections have confirmed Battaash could be retired after he was unable to claim a fifth successive victory in the King George Qatar Stakes at Goodwood on Friday. 

Charlie Hills' stable star had been the favourite to secure a record-extending triumph in the feature race on the penultimate day of the Qatar Goodwood Festival.

But despite making a strong start, he eventually had to settle for seventh place, some way behind race winner Suesa. 

It had already been a tough year for Battaash, who finished fourth on his return to action in the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot last month after seeing his seasonal reappearance delayed by a fracture suffered over the winter. 

This latest setback has now led to questions regarding his future, with Angus Gold, racing manager for owners Shadwell Estate, confirming retirement is a distinct possibility. 

Gold said: "I shall speak to the owner tonight, as the last thing we want to do is abuse him.

"After all the problems we've had, why would we go on now?" 

Buick hails Suesa

Jockey William Buick has described Suesa as an "absolute sweetheart" following her victory in the King George Qatar Stakes.

 The Francois Rohaut-trained three-year-old timed her push for the front perfectly during the final furlong, finishing ahead of Dragon Symbol, who had to settle for second place, and Glass Slippers back in third. 

The highly-rated filly has now won on five of her six starts and she showed her ability to bounce back after she had finished eighth when favourite in last month's Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot. 

Buick is certainly a big fan of Suesa, who is now being lined up for a run in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York at the end of August. 

Buick told the Racing Post: "She's an absolute sweetheart. It's great to get the ride and she's a very good filly." 

Maydanny enjoys further Goodwood success

Maydanny claimed his second victory at the Qatar Goodwood Festival after securing a routine success in the Unibet Golden Mile on Friday. 

Mark Johnston's charge was the winner of a 10-furlong handicap on the opening day of the meeting last year but he ultimately did not defend his crown due to the testing conditions earlier in the week. 

The five-year-old was instead entered in the Golden Mile and he did not disappoint, winning with something to spare ahead of Rhoscolyn, who pipped Escobar to second.

Winning trainer Johnston was full of praise for the son of Attraction after the race. He said: "It's great, it's particularly special with that family, anything out of Attraction. 

"He's another horse we were very hesitant about this week with the soft ground, we weren't sure if he could handle it but he's done it really well, he obviously likes this track." 

Menuisier urges caution regarding Wonderful Tonight

Trainer David Menuisier does not think it is a foregone conclusion that Wonderful Tonight will win the Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes at Goodwood today.  

Wonderful Tonight is a late inclusion in the field for the Group Two feature that will be a highlight on the final day of the Qatar Goodwood Festival after she was withdrawn from last weekend's King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot due to quick ground. 

The dual Group One and Royal Ascot heroine is now expected to comfortably claim victory when she takes on rivals such as Ralph Beckett's Albaflora, Roger Varian's Believe In Love and Aidan O'Brien's Irish Oaks runner-up Divinely. 

But Menuisier urged caution on the eve of the race and he is certainly not taking anything for granted. 

The Sussex trainer said: "The opposition obviously is not the same as the King George but they have to be respected.

"She's the favourite and she should be but we're not going there thinking she's a sure thing. It's a horse race and we know Goodwood offers some upsets at times."