July meeting and sale in the spotlight

Qatar Racing is doubly represented in one of tomorrow's racing highlights, the Gr.2 Portland Place Properties July Stakes (2.10), in which Royal Ascot runner-up Mind Of Madness and Lightning Stride are among 12 entries.

Trainer David Brown saddled Mind Of Madness to finish second in the Gr.2 Norfolk Stakes on his latest outing, while the Brian Meehan-trained Lightning Stride won at Leicester in May and has finished within hailing distance of the winner in two subsequent defeats.

Mind Of Madness, who runs at Newmarket tomorrow
(pic by Laurence Squire)

God Willing, who is trained by Ed Dunlop, bids to gain black type in the Listed Hastings Direct Sir Henry Cecil Stakes (4.25), while War Alert is out to break her duck in the Peter Silvester EBF Stallions Maiden Fillies' Stakes (3.50).

War Alert shaped with real promise when third of nine at Windsor on her racing debut last month, having earlier made a mark when topping the Guineas Breeze-Up Sale. A daughter of popular US sire War Front, she was knocked down for 270,000gns to David Redvers Bloodstock on that occasion, and is now under the care of David Brown.

Redvers was back at Tattersalls yesterday for the opening session of the three-day July Sale, a mixed auction which includes five horses that have been in action for Qatar Racing or associated partnerships. They are Society Pearl (Lot 21 - sold today for 8,500gns), A Boy Named Suzi (Lot 218), Victory Laurel (Lot 220), Dream And Search (Lot 256) and Premium Pressure (Lot 257).

Looking ahead to Glorious Goodwood, the meeting's feature race, the QIPCO Sussex Stakes, is now down to 20 runners following the first scratchings deadline. Among those who stood their ground are the Qatar Racing trio of Chopin, Just The Judge andKiyoshi.

Other key horses include two who won at Royal Ascot, namely brilliant Kingman and top-class Toronado.