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Sweet William set to bypass Goodwood Cup for Doncaster
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Mon 6 Jul 2026
Enthusiastic owner Philippa Cooper is inclined to swerve the Goodwood Cup with “horse of a lifetime” Sweet William in favour of heading to his beloved Doncaster freshened up after his Gold Cup third.
The popular seven-year-old has proved as good as ever this season, winning the Sagaro Stakes on his return and going close in the Henry II before another brave effort in the Royal Ascot staying feature.
It was a run which left the gelding’s owner proud, with Cooper saying: “It was two different races really the Gold Cup, but we won the second race!
“He’s a legend and he’s the horse of my lifetime. I may have had horses who have won better prizes, but I’ve never had a horse like him with such a character.
“It’s extraordinary what he has achieved and if he keeps a little bit of something for himself at the end then he deserves to.
“He’s seven and he’s been going since he was three and he’s got a real following. I love having stayers.”
Sweet William holds an entry for the Goodwood Cup later this month but after a busy start to the campaign, the owner would prefer to protect his ageing legs ahead of bidding for a third straight win in the Group Two Doncaster Cup he has dominated the past two years.
Cooper added: “I would rather he didn’t go to Goodwood and I know they’ve entered him, but I’m sure when we discuss it he will wait for Doncaster. He enjoys Doncaster, but you can’t take it as a given (that he will win there) as there are quite a few young pretenders coming through the ranks.
“I don’t want to see him finishing down the field too often and it’s a question of deciding when it’s time to stop. John (Gosden) always says he will tell us and he still ran a good race in the Gold Cup over a distance he probably doesn’t quite stay.”
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