Goodwood Race's Celebration Mile: Examining Jonquil's Previous Performances and Notable Statements Regarding the Upcoming Event

Goodwood's Celebration Mile: Persica Favourite, But Challenges Await

The much-anticipated Celebration Mile race at Goodwood's three-day meeting is set to take place today, with Persica leading the pack as a strong contender. Despite carrying a 3lb penalty, Persica won a race recently and is expected to confirm that form in today's event.

However, Persica will face stiff competition from a number of horses, including Jonquil, Make Me King, Ice Max, Arisaig, and Saqqara Sands.

Jonquil, a horse that won the Group 3 Greenham Stakes in April and finished only a head behind Henri Matisse in Longchamp's Group 1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains, will be looking to bounce back from disappointing performances at Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood. The jockey who rode Jonquil in the reported race on August 24, 2025, at Goodwood is not explicitly mentioned in the available sources.

Make Me King, a horse that won the Pomfret Stakes last time, is participating in the Celebration Mile. The mile trip is considered the optimal distance for Make Me King, and Richard Brown, racing manager to Wathnan Racing, owners of Make Me King, has stated that the horse is in fantastic nick.

Ice Max, a horse that won this race on soft ground last year, is also participating. However, trainer Karl Burke might not run Ice Max if the ground gets too quick, as he is a soft or heavy ground horse. Ice Max has been declared and is desperate for a run.

Arisaig, another horse participating in the Celebration Mile, has shown an aptitude for Goodwood and finished fifth in a Listed race won by Crimson Advocate.

Saqqara Sands, a horse that dead-heated in the Group 3 Oak Tree Stakes last month, is also in the race. Saqqara Sands has never finished outside of the first two.

Eve Johnson Houghton, trainer of Balmacara, is running Balmacara despite the horse preferring very soft ground. Goodwood is the best ground available currently.

Clerk of the course Ed Arkell predicts that the underfoot conditions will likely remain close to good to firm on Sunday. This could pose a challenge for horses like Balmacara and Ice Max, who prefer softer ground.

Jonquil's trainer, Barry Mahon, believes that if Jonquil could find his Greenham or French Guineas form, he would be hard to beat. With a strong field and varying preferences for ground conditions, the Celebration Mile promises to be an exciting race.