Wednesday’s Sussex (G1) is the lone Breeders’ Cup Challenge event during the five-day festival at Glorious Goodwood, but implications for the championships at Del Mar will abound throughout the week.

The Sussex showcases star miler Rosallion, who will try to confirm the form of his Royal Ascot victory over fellow three-year-olds Henry Longfellow and Notable Speech. 

A “Win and You’re In” for the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1), the Sussex is just one of the mouthwatering clashes on tap at the Glorious meeting. Opera Singer is set to take on Emily Upjohn (and maybe Inspiral) in Thursday’s Nassau (G1), a pointer for the Filly & Mare Turf (G1), and Friday’s King George (G2) serves up a rematch between Turf Sprint (G1) contenders Asfoora and Big Evs. 

Here’s an overview of the Group race action, from Tuesday’s opening day card through Saturday’s finale.

Tuesday

Vintage (G2): Race 2, 9:25 a.m. ET

Promising juveniles square off in the Vintage (G2), where The Parthenon is likely to go off favored for Aidan O’Brien. Regarded highly enough to debut in the Marble Hill (G3), the Kingman colt showed plenty of potential in fifth, and he duly broke his maiden at Gowran next time out. 

But he’ll need to step forward again to handle a few other up-and-comers. The Charlie Appleby-trained Aomori City, most recently third to O’Brien’s Whistlejacket in the July S. (G2), stands to benefit from stepping up to seven furlongs here. 

While other obvious chances include the respective second and fourth from the Coventry (G2), Electrolyte and Cool Hoof Luke, Ascot novice winner Tiger Mask could be a sneaky longshot. Two starts back, Tiger Mask was runner-up to The Strikin Viking, who went on to finish an excellent second in the Railway (G2). 

Lennox (G2): Race 3, 10 a.m. ET

Kinross, whom American fans may recall as the third-place finisher in the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Mile, has been a fixture in the Lennox (G2) for the past three years. The hero of the 2021 and 2023 editions, the Ralph Beckett charge was unlucky to miss by a neck in 2022, or else he’d boast a three-peat. 

Now seven years old, Kinross might not be in quite the same form, but a return to this seven-furlong configuration is eligible to rejuvenate him. 

Still, he’ll encounter such smart whippersnappers as Godolphin’s Noble Dynasty, recent Royal Ascot winner English Oak, and Tiber Flow. Audience doesn’t count as a whippersnapper anymore, but he did deliver the performance of his life to stun the Lockinge (G1) back in May.

Goodwood Cup (G1): Race 4, 10:35 a.m. ET

Kyprios, fresh off regaining his title in Royal Ascot’s Gold Cup (G1), is odds-on to do the same in Goodwood’s venerable two-mile prize. 

The O’Brien charge, who famously toppled the great Stradivarius and Trueshan here in 2022, overcame a life-threatening infection in 2023 and improbably retained his powers at the top level. 

Three of his Gold Cup rivals reoppose him in hopes of faring better on the cutback in trip – Sweet William (third), Coltrane (fifth), and Gregory (seventh) – but they’ll need Kyprios to regress too. 

Trueshan, the winner of this race in 2021, would be intriguing if enough residual moisture remains in the ground; otherwise, he’s liable to scratch.

Wednesday

Oak Tree (G3): Race 2, 9:25 a.m. ET

Sophomore fillies Kathmandu and Jabaara bring Group 1 form into the seven-furlong Oak Tree (G3). 

Kathmandu, who came within a head of upsetting the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (French 1000 Guineas) (G1), subsequently finished fifth against males in the Prix Jean Prat (G1). Note that the Brian Meehan pupil adds a tongue tie while dropping in class. 

The Roger Varian-trained Jabaara won two straight listed stakes at this distance before placing second to the high-class Porta Fortuna in the Falmouth (G1) over a mile. 

Pretty Crystal could be overlooked after disappointing in her last pair, but those 10th-place efforts came in the 1000 Guineas (G1) and on a substantial cutback in the six-furlong Summer (G3). 

The Richard Fahey filly returns to the distance of her signature win in the Nell Gwyn (G3), where she beat Kathmandu, and she adds headgear. 

Four-year-old Breege fits well on form, if she can handle the weight concession to her younger foes.

Molecomb (G3): Race 3, 10 a.m. ET

As a five-furlong scramble for two-year-olds, the Molecomb (G3) should inform the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1). 

Recent course-and-distance maiden romper Soldier’s Heart has longshot appeal for Simon and Ed Crisford. A full brother to multiple Group 3-winning sprinter Elite Status, Soldier’s Heart placed second on debut to Godolphin’s eventual stakes scorer Al Qudra. 

Aesterius ranks as the Molecomb favorite in the wake of his Dragon S. coup at Sandown, but this shapes up as a competitive affair with no shortage of unexposed types. 

Prix la Fleche winner Francisco’s Piece is entitled to prosper back at five furlongs after flopping in the Coventry. Fillies Celandine and Usdi Atohi also sport listed wins, while Vingegaard just missed in the lucrative Weatherbys Super Sprint for Archie Watson. 

Sussex (G1): Race 4, 10:35 a.m. ET

Rosallion is odds-on to extend his winning streak to three, following rousing rallies in the Irish 2000 Guineas (G1) and St James’s Palace (G1). In the latter, he reeled in the perfect-trip Henry Longfellow. 

Although Henry Longfellow has a right to move forward off that effort, the sharp contours of Goodwood may not play to his strengths as much as the stiffer track at Ascot did.

However, Goodwood might be more congenial for Notable Speech. The last horse to beat Rosallion, in the 2000 Guineas (G1) at Newmarket, Notable Speech was a too-bad-to-be-true seventh in their St James’s Palace rematch. The Godolphin homebred had been undefeated in four starts, and a return to form can see him challenging Rosallion again. 

The sophomore trio will face older horses here, but the mile division has been lacking a standout in that demographic. 

Facteur Cheval was second in last year’s Sussex to O’Brien’s three-year-old Paddington, and there’s not a compelling reason to see him improving on that result. Sparingly raced Maljoom still has upside, and blinkers could conjure more from him, but a lot more is required to spring the upset.

Thursday

Richmond (G2): Race 2, 9:25 a.m. ET

Wathnan Racing snapped up the aforementioned The Strikin Viking following his runner-up effort in the Railway, and the juvenile now races for trainer Hamad al-Jehani here. 

Final declarations are still pending for the six-furlong dash, which could also attract July S. second Billboard Star, Norfolk (G2) runner-up Tropical Storm, and Black Forza, a good-looking maiden winner at Fairyhouse by leading freshman sire Complexity.

Gordon (G3): Race 3, 10 a.m. ET

Jan Brueghel is heavily favored to remain perfect in three starts in this traditional prep for the St Leger (G1). A full brother to 2019 Irish Derby (G1) shocker Sovereign, the O’Brien sophomore figures to appreciate the step up to 1 1/2 miles. 

Meydaan sports course form as the winner of the Cocked Hat S. two back. Sayedaty Sadaty and Bellum Justum, the respective fifth and seventh in the Derby (G1) at Epsom, could be joined by Godolphin’s class climber Royal Power and French shipper Shamarkand.

Nassau (G1): Race 4, 10:35 a.m. ET

Opera Singer has been racing her way into fitness after a spring setback, and the O’Brien celebrity is arguably poised for her best effort of the season so far. The 1 1/4-mile Nassau (G1) marks her first tests beyond a mile and against older distaffers, but the daughter of Triple Crown champion Justify looks ready for both challenges. 

Jockey Ryan Moore hailed Opera Singer as a Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) candidate when she crushed last fall’s Prix Marcel Boussac (G1) as a juvenile, and the Nassau could be a stepping stone to Paris.

While reigning Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare heroine Inspiral factored in the early entries, co-trainers John and Thady Gosden supplemented stablemate Emily Upjohn for this spot. Inspiral has drifted in the antepost market, hinting that she may pursue a three-peat in the Prix Jacques le Marois (G1) at Deauville instead. 

Emily Upjohn will furnish a proper test for Opera Singer. If not the most consistent type, Emily Upjohn is capable of a massive performance on her day. She beat Westover in last year’s Coronation Cup (G1), came up just shy of Paddington in the Eclipse (G1), and most recently placed second in the Pretty Polly (G1) to Bluestocking, who came back to finish second in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth (G1).

Other notables in the mix include 1000 Guineas upsetter Elmalka, who steps up in trip following a fourth in the Coronation Stakes; Prix de Diane (French Oaks) (G1) surprise Sparkling Plenty; Eclipse fourth-place finisher See the Fire; and Stay Alert, an unlucky loser in the Pretty Polly last year but fifth in the renewal.

Friday

Thoroughbred (G3): Race 2, 9:25 a.m. ET

The one-mile Thoroughbred (G3) can be a vehicle for talented sophomores to step up into the limelight, and Galen could be in that mold. Second to superstar City of Troy in his only outing at two, the Joseph O’Brien colt has won his past two in the manner of a Group performer. 

Several of his possible rivals have been mixing it up at a higher level, notably Dancing Gemini, the close second in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) (G1), who shortens up after a pair of sixths in the Derby and Eclipse. 

Al Musmak just profited from reverting to a mile in the Sir Henry Cecil S. Lead Artist, third in that same race, is one of two intriguing Juddmonte entrants, along with Task Force. 

King George (G2): Race 4, 10:35 a.m. ET

Australian mare Asfoora swept past speedy three-year-old Big Evs in the King Charles III (G1) at Royal Ascot, and the two will meet again over a sharper five furlongs in the King George (G2). 

Big Evs might find this track more conducive to his frontrunning style, but Asfoora shouldn’t be inconvenienced by that. Both have the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint on their agenda in November, making this race the next installment in their budding rivalry.

Believing, fourth in both of the marquee Group 1 sprints during Royal Ascot week, proved her hardiness by wheeling back to win the Sapphire (G2) at the Curragh last out. 

Not to be overlooked are sophomores Jasour and Starlust. Jasour has been competing over six furlongs, with mixed results, and it’s significant that trainer Clive Cox has supplemented him for this engagement. Starlust, a close third to Big Evs in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, is another with solid form over six furlongs but arguably better at this minimum trip. 

Kerdos, fifth behind Asfoora in his latest outing, and Czech-based speedster Ponntos could make their presence felt, but the European sprint veterans are a generally underwhelming group.

Saturday 

Glorious (G3): Race 1, 8:50 a.m. ET

The 1 1/2-mile Glorious (G3) could have a bearing on the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1), depending upon which contenders end up in the final declarations.

Continuous would loom large if O’Brien opts to run in this spot. Last year’s imperious St Leger (G1) winner, who went on to finish fifth in the Arc, wasn’t fully cranked when fifth behind Isle of Jura in Royal Ascot’s Hardwicke (G2). The runner-up in the Hardwicke, Goliath, has since bolted up in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth.

Hamish hopes for softish going to mount a title defense in this race, which he dominated by four lengths a year ago. His trainer, William Haggas, has two possibilities representing the Shadwell operation, Al Aasy and Mujtaba. 

Al Aasy was just dethroned by a returning Phantom Flight in the Steventon S. at Newbury. Mujtaba sports a noteworthy formline, having placed second in Goodwood’s Festival S. to Isle of Jura. 

The Gosdens could send out Lions Pride, who stands to benefit from stretching back out in trip. The last time he raced over 1 1/2 miles, Lions Pride beat Godolphin’s progressive Measured Time in the Floodlit S. Varian’s Aimeric has placed in his past two at the listed level, including the course-and-distance Tapster S.

Lillie Langtry (G2): Race 3, 10 a.m. ET

Free Wind was only fourth as the odds-on favorite here last summer behind Sumo Sam, but the bottomless ground was all against her. On a more normal range of going, the 1 3/4-mile prize is well within Free Wind’s wheelhouse. 

The George Strawbridge Jr. homebred has raced just once this term, winding up a distant second in her Middleton (G2) title defense. There was no disgrace in that while succumbing to the rampant Bluestocking.

Caius Chorister would be making her first start back in distaff company after battling males all season. A close second in both the Sagaro (G3) and Henry II (G3), the scrappy mare was most recently sixth to Kyprios in the Gold Cup. 

French-based Melo Melo, who came within a neck of Warm Heart in last fall’s Prix Vermeille (G1), should enjoy going back up in trip.

Term of Endearment captured the Bronte Cup (G3) over Night Sparkle, the subsequent runner-up to Trueshan at Sandown, and River of Stars, who came back to score in a listed stakes at Pontefract. O’Brien’s progressive sophomore Grateful, a daughter of Galileo and Hall of Famer Tepin, is another to watch.