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'I've just won the Stewards' Cup!' - Get It goes all the way for Stewards' Cup success

3 minute read

George Baker's sprinter defied odds of 40/1 to land the valuable feature handicap.

Racecourse : Goodwood Picture: (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)

The George Baker-trained Get It went virtually pillar to post to defy odds of 40/1 in the Stewards' Cup at Glorious Goodwood on Saturday.

George Baker's sprinter returned from Bahrain in sparkling form this season, winning back-to-back prizes at Windsor and Epsom. However, having been well beaten at Ascot on his final outing and with this representing a much stiffer task, he was subsequently sent off 40/1.

Drawn highest of all in stall 28, jockey Pat Cosgrave broke smartly and soon bagged the stands' rail.

The valuable six-furlong prize looked up for grabs as the field approached the final furlong, but Get It proved he was not for passing and stuck on strongly to claim the honours by half a length from 14/1 chance Apollo One.

The more-fancied Billyjoh ran on well in first-time cheekpieces to finish back in third, a result that ensures Mick Appleby will finish the week at Glorious Goodwood as top trainer.

Andrew Balding's 9-2 market leader Purosangue never looked like landing a blow and was ultimately well beaten.

"Being a Sussex man, I've been coming to this race since I was 5,6,7 and I watched it for many years before I became a racehorse trainer so to go and win this race on my doorstep means a huge amount. It really does tick a massive box for me," said George Baker.

"It's a massive team of wonderful owners and we've had a lot of fun with this horse in Bahrain, but I think this party might go on a little bit longer.

"I've got a lot of local friends here. We've got a house full for a week, it's been a long week. Having a party that started on Tuesday and probably won't end until next Tuesday. It's magical. Being a Sussex man, this really means a huge amount to me."

On how the race panned out, Baker said: "I couldn't believe how well he was going. I was delighted we drew that draw. He came out second out of the hat and Pat and I talked about it. Look, it was pretty simple.

"I kept looking around and thinking something is going to come because you don't expect to win the Stewards' Cup, but I've just won the Stewards' Cup!"