After narrowly missing out on victory at Royal Ascot, Sonny Liston is now aiming to make a name for himself in higher-level races, with the Qatar Sussex Stakes next on the agenda.
The five-year-old came in second in the Royal Hunt Cup for the second year in a row, putting up a strong fight in the final stages but falling just short of Wild Tiger by a head.
This performance followed his first race of the year at Newbury in May, where Sonny Liston surged to a two-and-a-half length victory in a valuable handicap, marking only his second win in 16 races.
Given his recent strong form and past success at Goodwood, trainer Ralph Beckett and connections have decided to give him a shot in the upcoming Group One race at the end of July.
Despite a tough draw in his previous races at Goodwood, including a third-place finish in the Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes and a fifth-place finish in the Golden Mile last year, there is confidence that Sonny Liston can perform well in the Sussex Stakes.
Racing manager Emma Spencer of Chelsea Thoroughbreds believes that with the right conditions and a good pace, Sonny Liston has the potential to shine at Goodwood.
Currently rated at 114, Sonny Liston has shown that he has what it takes to compete at a high level and is expected to continue to impress in the future.
Spencer also notes that while Sonny Liston may not have a large frame, his determination and maturity have helped him succeed in competitive races, despite only having two wins to his name.
With expectations high for his upcoming race at Goodwood, Sonny Liston is poised to continue his journey towards establishing himself as a formidable contender in black-type races.