Godwinson Snags Lincoln Handicap in Photo Finish
DONCASTER, England — Godwinson, ridden by Cieren Fallon and trained by William Haggas, surged to a narrow victory in teh Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster Racecourse, kicking off the 2025 British flat racing season. The 17-2 shot prevailed by a nose in a thrilling finish.
Tight Finish Highlights Opening Day
In a tightly contested race featuring 22 runners, Godwinson edged out Oliver Show (22-1) and Orandi (13-2) right at the finish line. Oliver Show and Orandi had broken away from the pack and appeared poised to contend for the win before Fallon expertly timed Godwinson’s late charge.
Haggas Notches Fifth Lincoln Victory
The victory marks trainer William Haggas’s fifth win in the prestigious Lincoln Handicap. His moast recent prior win came in 2018 with Addeybb.
Jockey’s Viewpoint
“We’d have definitely been unlucky if we didn’t win,” jockey Cieren Fallon told ITV Racing after the race. He added, “He is a horse that has been working well and he’s been unlucky. it went as well as we hoped…I always knew I was going to be vrey competitive. It was on the line,he got his head down.”
Mr Professor Fades
Mr Professor, the winner of the Lincoln Handicap in 2024, finished in 13th place this year.
Pearl Eye Wins Spring Mile in Reversal
Earlier in the day at Doncaster, Pearl Eye, a 50-1 longshot ridden by Jason Watson and trained by Darryll Holland, claimed victory in the Spring Mile Handicap. Initially,Thunder Roar (25-1) was declared the winner,but the result was later overturned in favor of Pearl Eye following a review.
Why might someone who doesn’t typically follow horse racing find the story of Godwinson’s win and pearl Eye’s Spring Mile victory compelling?
Godwinson Snags Lincoln Handicap in photo Finish
DONCASTER, England — Godwinson, ridden by Cieren Fallon and trained by William Haggas, surged to a narrow victory in teh Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster Racecourse, kicking off the 2025 British flat racing season. The 17-2 shot prevailed by a nose in a thrilling finish.
Tight Finish Highlights Opening Day
In a tightly contested race featuring 22 runners, godwinson edged out Oliver Show (22-1) and Orandi (13-2) right at the finish line. Oliver Show and Orandi had broken away from the pack and appeared poised to contend for the win before Fallon expertly timed Godwinson’s late charge.
Haggas Notches Fifth lincoln Victory
The victory marks trainer William Haggas’s fifth win in the prestigious Lincoln Handicap. His moast recent prior win came in 2018 with Addeybb.
Jockey’s Viewpoint
“We’d have definitely been unlucky if we didn’t win,” jockey Cieren Fallon told ITV Racing after the race. He added, “He is a horse that has been working well and he’s been unlucky. it went as well as we hoped…I always knew I was going to be vrey competitive. It was on the line,he got his head down.”
Mr Professor Fades
Mr Professor, the winner of the Lincoln Handicap in 2024, finished in 13th place this year.
Pearl Eye Wins Spring Mile in Reversal
Earlier in the day at Doncaster, Pearl Eye, a 50-1 longshot ridden by Jason Watson and trained by Darryll Holland, claimed victory in the Spring Mile Handicap. Initially,Thunder Roar (25-1) was declared the winner,but the result was later overturned in favor of Pearl Eye following a review.
Q&A: Unpacking the Lincoln Handicap
Q: What exactly is the Lincoln Handicap?
A: The Lincoln Handicap is a prestigious flat horse race run annually at Doncaster Racecourse in England. It’s typically the first major handicap of the British flat racing season, kicking off the spring racing calendar. this year was the 2025 season.
Q: What’s a “photo finish,” and why is it crucial?
A: A photo finish is used when it’s too close to call the winner with the naked eye.Cameras at the finish line capture a high-speed image,which officials review to determine the precise order of the horses. In Godwinson’s case, a photo finish confirmed his victory.
Q: What does “17-2 shot” mean?
A: This refers to Godwinson’s odds. The odds of 17-2 mean that for every £2 you bet, you would win £17, plus your original stake back if Godwinson won. Longer odds indicate a lower probability of winning.
Q: Who is William haggas?
A: William Haggas is a highly respected British horse trainer, and Godwinson’s trainer. winning the Lincoln Handicap for the fifth time is a testament to his training expertise.
Q: What happened with the Spring Mile?
A: In an earlier race, the Spring Mile, the initially declared winner, Thunder Roar, had its result overturned in favor of Pearl Eye, after a review. This highlights the importance of thorough checks and the use of technology in racing.
Q: Why is it meaningful that Mr. Professor, the 2024 champion, finished so far down the field in 2025?
A: It demonstrates the unpredictable nature of horse racing.Form can fluctuate greatly, and what won last year may not be competitive the next.Factors like the horse’s condition, the race conditions and the competition all play a role.
Q: What’s the key takeaway from this day of racing?
A: The day was filled with excitement and close finishes,underscoring the drama and unpredictability of horse racing. From Godwinson’s narrow victory to the Spring Mile reversal, it was a memorable start to the 2025 flat racing season. Consider this: If you love horse racing, keep an eye out for the next race and have fun making your selections!
