Kentucky-bred Scandinavia, the only 3-year-old in the field, proved his staying power in defeating elders in the two-mile Goodwood Cup (G1) on Tuesday, July 29.
An 8 ½-length winner of the Bahrain Trophy (G3) at Newmarket in his previous start, Scandinavia edged stablemate Illinois (IRE) in the Goodwood Cup after a stern battle to the finish. Ridden by Wayne Lordan for trainer Aiden O’Brein, Scandinavia is owned by the Coolmore connections of Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, and Mrs. John Magnier.
Bred in Kentucky by Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt, the promising sophomore is by Justify out of the Galileo (IRE) mare Fabulous (IRE), making him a half-brother to Group 1 winner Above the Curve (by American Pharoah). With the victory, Scandinavia became the ninth G1 winner for his sire.
“He’s a typical Justify—they will not lie down, no matter where they are or how tired they get, and that big open stride keeps going and their heads keep down,” O’Brien said in TDN. “That pure genuineness that Galileo had is there, but they have that little more class. He looks Leger-made, he’s very straightforward and he handled an ease in the ground today.”