Witness Stand Stuns Field in HKJC World Pool Lennox Stakes 2025 at Goodwood
Witness Stand delivered a seismic shock at the 2025 Qatar Goodwood Festival, winning the HKJC World Pool Lennox Stakes 2025 at 25/1 in a commanding display that marked the first major Flat success for the training partnership of Dr Richard Newland and Jamie Insole. Ridden confidently by Hollie Doyle, the four-year-old gelding stormed clear of his rivals in the seven-furlong Group 2 feature, securing a landmark victory for connections.
The race was already packed with drama before the start, as two-time winner Kinross was withdrawn at the stalls after being kicked by Audience. Moments later, Royal Ascot hero Noble Champion was pulled up early, throwing the field into further disarray. Amidst the chaos, Witness Stand capitalised with a bold front-running performance, never looking back after taking command over two furlongs from home.
Lake Forest (11/1) chased gamely in second, nearly three lengths behind, while last year’s winner Audience (3/1JF) claimed third. Doyle praised the gelding’s resilience, calling the effort “a great training performance” and acknowledging the step up from handicap company to Group level.
Trainer Jamie Insole reflected on the breakthrough moment: “We bought him for 100,000gns and had immediate interest. His run at Chester gave us confidence, especially with today’s softer ground suiting him. I’d entered him in the Group 1 Prix de la Foret this morning—now that looks inspired.”
Newland and Insole, who only began their training partnership in 2023, have now recorded 27 winners this season. This victory marks their first at the Qatar Goodwood Festival, underscoring their rapid rise in the Flat racing ranks.
The story behind Witness Stand is deeply personal for Insole, whose family has deep racing roots. “My grandad was a jockey and trainer, and my uncle Will Kennedy rode over jumps. This means the world to me,” he said.
Hollie Doyle’s timing was immaculate. “He stood up when it mattered. He’s always had Listed form and wasn’t far behind on ratings. Jamie believed in him, and that belief paid off,” she said.
Lake Forest’s jockey Tom Marquand noted: “We got detached from the front pack and had too much to do. He wasn’t travelling early, and by the time I found space inside, the winner was gone.”
Audience’s rider Robert Havlin added, “That was a better effort. The cheekpieces helped. He just didn’t find much downhill, but he stayed on well late.”
Co-trainer John Gosden echoed Havlin’s sentiment: “He handled most of the race well but found the going a bit loose. He’s now York-bound.”
What made this race even more dramatic was the unexpected withdrawal of Kinross. Jockey Rossa Ryan said, “It was a freak moment. Audience backed up into us and lashed out. Kinross seems okay, thankfully.”
The win also adds momentum to Hollie Doyle’s season—her 7th winner at the Qatar Goodwood Festival—placing her among the top-performing jockeys this summer.
With Group 1 entries on the radar and connections buzzing with confidence, Witness Stand’s next stop could well be the Hungerford Stakes or the prestigious Prix de la Foret in France.
This edition of the HKJC World Pool Lennox Stakes 2025 will long be remembered—not just for the chaos at the start or the withdrawal of favourites—but for the emergence of a new contender and the elevation of a yard quickly becoming one to watch.
In a year where underdog stories are capturing the public’s imagination, Witness Stand delivered a powerful reminder of why the Qatar Goodwood Festival remains one of racing’s most unpredictable and thrilling spectacles.
HKJC World Pool Lennox Stakes 2025 – Result
- 1 Witness Stand (Scott Turner & partner) – Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole – 4-9-06 – Hollie Doyle – 25/1
- 2 Lake Forest (Tony Bloom & Ian McAleavy) – William Haggas – 4-9-06 – Tom Marquand – 11/1
- 3 Audience (Cheveley Park Stud) – John & Thady Gosden – 6-9-06 – Robert Havlin – 3/1JF
- 10 ran. 3/1JF Kinross (Withdrawn at start)
