Goodwood set to be next port of call for Merchant

Merchant is likely to stick to his own age group and tackle the John Pearce Racing Gordon Stakes at Goodwood on July 31.

The William Haggas-trained three-year-old continued his progression when quickening up stylishly to win the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot last week, giving owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing a fifth victory in the race.

“To win another King George V was really special. It’s been an amazing race for us,” said Highclere’s Harry Herbert.

“We’ve always loved that type of horse, but they are becoming more difficult to buy. We were over the moon to buy him as a Teofilo with Group One scope – he was so gorgeous William Haggas rang up asking to train him, which he’s never done.

“He’s still relatively inexperienced, he was sort of dossing on the outside going along very easily with his head not really in full throttle position, but one tap from Tom (Marquand) and he really quickened up impressively.

“He’s a really exciting prospect, I would imagine he will go for the Gordon, that’s the right sort of race, we’ll take it one step at a time. The fact he was even entered in the King George tells you the regard William holds him in, but having spoken to him this morning I think we’ll go a more regular route and probably head to Goodwood.”

Highclere also went close at the big meeting with George Boughey’s Awaken, who was runner-up to Venetian Sun in the Albany Stakes.

“Awaken is a very exciting filly, she’s a scopey filly so everything is a bonus. It’s gone from wondering if she’d get on the track this year to here were are having been second in an Albany,” said Herbert.

“I don’t know where we’ll go. We could just try to get her a win in a maiden or a novice or we may go for another Group race.

“If we do I think something like the Princess Margaret back at Ascot might suit her.”