Tilsit takes Thoroughbred Stakes

Three-year-old Tilsit came out the winner of the Gr.3 Thoroughbred Stakes at Goodwood on Friday (31st July) despite a dramatic final furlong that took the result into the Stewards Room. 

Trainer Charlie Hills said after the race: "It was a big difference for him today, having had two runs at Newcastle and then come to a track like this for his first run on turf, with all the undulations to cope with. He has stepped up really good and I was very impressed with him. You never quite know what will happen in the inquiry, but he won by far enough. He is still quite green and immature and he hit the front there and the horse just went straight to the rail.

"There is the option of coming back here for the Celebration Mile. Over the winter we kept calling him the Derby horse but that didn't happen and Covid didn't help that.

"I think he will get further, but if he is good at a mile we might stick at that. There are lots of nice races for him and he has only had three starts so he has got his whole future ahead of him."

Teddy Grimthorpe added: "It was a huge step forward really. He has still got to mature as he is still very babyish and you could see that in the paddock beforehand, but he was much better than he was the previous two times.

"In the race he has handled it pretty well, but he did wander. I wasn't at all optimistic about keeping the race. He was the best horse, there was no doubt about that, and Ryan had his whip in his right hand, but he has just dived in.

"He has some talent, no question. Fast ground is probably the key to him and he certainly looks progressive."