Classy field targets Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In race at Goodwood, Berth in $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf on the Line

GOODWOOD, West Sussex, England (Aug. 22, 2024) ─ Cheveley Park Stud’s Formal (GB) and Juddmonte’s Tabiti (GB) headline a field of 11 for Saturday’s William Hill Prestige Stakes (G3). The winner of the 7-furlong showpiece for 2-year-old fillies is guaranteed an automatic starting position in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) through the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In.

The Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series is an international series of 82 stakes races in 12 countries whose winners receive automatic starting positions and fees paid into a corresponding race of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, scheduled to be held Nov. 1-2 at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, California.

Formal, a daughter of Dubawi (IRE) out of the Group 1-winning mare Veracious (GB), impressed on debut when winning at odds of 6-1 in a 7-furlong EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes at Newbury on good-to-firm ground. She steps up in class for trainer Sir Michael Stoute with Jason Watson taking the ride.

Tabiti, a daughter of Kingman (GB), was a well backed 9-5 favorite on her debut where she comfortably beat a field of 9 in the Tattersalls Online EBF 'Newcomers'' Maiden Fillies' Stakes at Newmarket’s July Course over 7-furlongs. The Ralph Beckett-trained filly holds some notable entries into the Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Rockfel Stakes (G2), and the Bet365 Fillies’ Mile (G1) at Newmarket later this season.

Anshoda (IRE) will be racing for new owners on Saturday,Team Valor International and Gary Barber. David Loughnane’s filly carried the colors of Nawaf Almutairi when winning at 33-1 on debut at Lingfield, then outrunning odds of 66-1 to chase home Celestial Orbit (GB) in the European Bloodstock News EBF Star Stakes (Listed) at Sandown.

Barry Irwin, CEO of Team Valor International, said: “I liked the fact that she was stuck inside with nowhere to go in Sandown and then went to the outside and gave a huge run at the end – and she looks a very progressive type. She’s going to stay with David Loughnane, he is a sharp trainer.”

Aidan O’Brien has never won the Prestige Stakes but will be hoping Merrily can build on her 4th place finish in the 5-furlong Arqana Irish EBF Marwell Stakes (Listed) at Naas. The daughter of No Nay Never will step back up in trip having made her debut over 6 1/2 furlongs.

Eco-Power Racing’s Royalty Bay was narrowly beaten in the Prix Six Perfections (G3) at Deavuille at the end of July for John & Sean Quinn and brings plenty of experience into the race.

As part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders’ Cup will pay the entry fees for the winner of the William Hill Prestige Stakes to start in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. Breeders’ Cup will also provide a travel allowance for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships. The Challenge winner must be nominated to the Breeders’ Cup program by the pre-entry deadline of Oct. 21 to receive the rewards.

Breeders' Cup