Latest horse racing news from UK, Ireland, and around the world.

Leopardstown option for Delacroix following York eclipse

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Aidan O’Brien could target Irish Champion Stakes compensation with Delacroix after he came off second best in his rematch with Ombudsman in the Juddmonte International at York.

The Ballydoyle runner bounced back from Derby disappointment to win a pulsating renewal of the Eclipse in early July, coming from an unpromising position to somehow grab victory from the jaws of defeat at the chief expense of Prince of Wales’s Stakes victor Ombudsman in a Sandown thriller.

The latter was the 7-4 favourite to gain his revenge in what turned out to be an even more fascinating affair on the Knavesmire, with Ombudsman’s pacemaker Birr Castle slipping the field and building up a huge lead over the chasing pack.

The big two eventually wore him down, but it was John and Thady Gosden’s Ombudsman who was three and a half lengths clear at the line, with Delacroix only beating 150-1 shot Birr Castle to the runner-up spot by half a length.

O’Brien said: “It was just a mess really wasn’t it? We had discussed before the race that if the pacemaker went and nobody followed him we would follow him, so obviously when they jumped out Ryan (Moore) thought they were going to follow the pacemaker but made the decision to sit in.

“Obviously when he sat in they just kept going slower and slower and slower and he was in a pocket and that was it, it was finished. It was over really as all they have done is sprint down the straight and the rest is history.

“Our horses usually like high-tempo races, but this was the way this time and John’s horse won and it was what he wanted. He got the result and we didn’t today.”

Delacroix’s defeat rounded off a disappointing day for O’Brien, having seen his dual Derby hero Lambourn finish only fifth in the preceding Great Voltigeur Stakes.

He added: “It happens every day of the week and it will happen again. Remember, you learn more from losing than winning.

“We learnt if he’s well we will go back to Leopardstown with Delacroix and hopefully this won’t happen again.

“This horse doesn’t mind making the running and has won from the front, so he would be very happy doing that.”

Andrew Balding’s high-class mare See The Fire finished fourth, with Japanese raider Danon Decile – making his first appearance since beating last month’s King George hero Calandagan in the Dubai Sheema Classic in April – ultimately disappointing in fifth.

Trainer Shogo Yasuda said: “We couldn’t show his real ability, but this experience will be great for the future. I’m sorry we couldn’t show his true ability.

“We may have got it wrong, but we got great support and we want to thank them for that. Especially James Horton (who has had the horse stabled at his yard) and many other people who were really important for helping us while we were here.

“It was really unfortunate we couldn’t show himself at his best for everyone.”

Last of all in sixth was Francis-Henri Graffard’s previously unbeaten French challenger Daryz.

There was some confusion as to whether the three-year-old’s rider Mickael Barzalona had weighed in afterwards, prompting an objection from the clerk of the scales, but it was eventually confirmed he had and the result stood.

Graffard said: “He lacked experience during the race. He was racing strongly on the bridle and looking at everything. He picked up really nicely but then just got tired late on.

“We’ll see how he comes back and make a plan.”

Aidan O’Brien still positive despite Lambourn’s Voltigeur defeat

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Aidan O’Brien was not too despondent after watching his dual Derby winner Lambourn trail home in fifth place in the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur at York.

A mildly surprising winner at Epsom, he then doubled up at the Curragh in the Irish equivalent and despite giving weight away all round to his rivals, he was sent off the 4-5 favourite to confirm his position as the best mile-and-a-half colt of his generation.

However, Ryan Moore was hard at work from some way out as first stablemate Stay True loomed up looking a threat, before the Ballydoyle duo were swamped by Ralph Beckett’s Pride Of Arras.

The winner had scored impressively in the Dante at the track in May but finished well behind Lambourn at both Epsom and the Curragh and had subsequently been gelded.

O’Brien fielded four in the Group Two and they filled the final four positions.

Lambourn is now 5-1 for the St Leger with Coral as his stable companion Scandinavia hardened to 4-5 favourite for the final Classic.

“He went grand, they went steady and he’s lazy, I think it was a steadily-run race,” said O’Brien of Lambourn.

“All of them ran grand. The reason we ran Lambourn here was so that he had the option of either the Leger or the Arc.

“I don’t think the Leger trip will be a problem, we know he stays a mile and a half well.

“Ryan (Moore) said he felt like he got a little but tired but we’ll see how he is.

“Stay True ran a lovely race, he’s always looked a lovely horse for the Leger so it looks like he’ll be happy doing that.”

One horse who enhanced his reputation despite losing his unbeaten record was the Paddy Twomey-trained Carmers, the Queen’s Vase winner from Royal Ascot who was dropping in trip.

He got caught flat-footed when the pace quickened before staying on for second, beaten a length.

“He maybe didn’t get the run of the race but I think it was a very good trial for the Leger,” said Twomey.

“I think he’s learned more today than he had in any race he won. It’s a big run and back up to the mile and six (furlongs) will suit him.

“I don’t think the ground makes any difference to him.”

Ombudsman takes International crown at York

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Ombudsman eventually came out on top in an exciting renewal of the Juddmonte International Stakes at York.

The 7-4 favourite was ridden by William Buick for John and Thady Gosden, with the fellow Godolphin-owned runner Birr Castle sent out to make the running as a rank outsider in the field of six.

The latter horse was afforded an enormous lead and as he rounded the turn for home it looked quite possible that the chasing pack would not catch him, but as he tired, Ombudsman was gaining ground.

He eventually swept through to grab the lead and while Delacroix also made late gains, Ombudsman emerged a three-and-a-half-length winner.

William Buick will the trophy for the Juddmonte International
William Buick will the trophy for the Juddmonte International (Mike Egerton/PA)

Birr Castle was transferred to the Gosdens to make the running at York and John Gosden said: “(Trainer) Andre Fabre said the horse was in top form and ‘I hope he does a good job for you John, I would like you to have the same result as in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood (when the pacemaker won)’!

“I said ‘OK Andre, I will do my best to make sure he goes a nice, even pace’.

“I thought with two furlongs to run Andre had won the race! You don’t often see that, he’s run a huge race to be third.

“I did say to William that if he’d sat four lengths off the pacemaker he’d have won by 10 lengths but there we go.

“What happened was the Japanese jockey was with Rab (Havlin on Birr Castle) but then he kept taking back and let Rab slip the field. Past the two marker, he was still six lengths in front.

“William said when he let him (Ombudsman) go, he absolutely flew and went from second gear to fifth gear in the blink of an eye.”

Ombudsman (right) was a clear-cut winner over Delacroix (middle)
Ombudsman (right) was a clear-cut winner over Delacroix (middle) (Mike Egerton/PA)

Ombudsman had finished a neck behind Delacroix in the Eclipse last time out, but Gosden felt that race was perhaps not run to suit.

He said: “The Eclipse was a muddling race and we’ll leave it at that. Full marks to Delacroix, but in an evenly-run race we were the superior horse today.

“This is a great win but I did think for a moment Andre would be the lucky man.”

The two obvious races for him are the Irish Champion and Ascot for Champions Day

Ombudsman was claiming the second Group One victory of his eight-race career to date, with Gosden’s sights already set on more top-level success.

He added: “He had a little problem as a baby and we never raced him at two and he came along gradually. He’s getting better and better, has trained well and was unbeaten last year. His only defeat this year was in the muddling Eclipse and he’s a proper horse.

“The two obvious races for him are the Irish Champion and Ascot for Champions Day. It will be Sheikh Mohammed’s decision if he stays in training but he is a sportsman.

“William thinks he’ll stay a mile and a half but I think why change things? Were he to go for the Arc, we’d need one of the rare occasions with a fast-ground Arc – which do happen occasionally.”

Pride Of Arras returns to form with Voltigeur victory

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Pride Of Arras made a brilliant return to the scene of his finest hour to claim a Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes at York in which dual Derby hero Lambourn misfired.

An impressive winner of the Dante on the Knavesmire earlier in the season, Ralph Beckett’s Pride Of Arras had proven no match for Aidan O’Brien’s Lambourn in both the Derby and Irish equivalent earlier in the season.

Sent off 12-1 in his first outing since being gelded, Rossa Ryan was in no rush as the 4-5 favourite Lambourn was immediately gunned to the front by Ryan Moore to keep close tabs on stablemate Thrice, who was undertaking pace-making duties.

However, unlike in his two Classic triumphs, Lambourn was unable to shrug off his rivals and with the pack swarming, it was Pride Of Arras who hit top gear up at the right time up the long home straight to return a length verdict over Paddy Twomey’s previously unbeaten Carmers.

Lambourn ended up a well-held fifth, with William Haggas’ Arabian Force another to stay on from the rear to take third ahead of Ballydoyle’s Stay True.

Beckett said of the winner: “He was back to his best, all good.

“I actually brought him here slightly underdone, having gelded him at the beginning of July, the week after the Irish Derby. It’s seven weeks on, but I’ve only really done maintenance stuff with him – I haven’t turned the screw with him – slightly because that seemed to suit him the last time we brought him here, and also because I wanted him to run well more than anything else.

“Really we came here with no expectation, but I think the track and the flat nature of York suits him really well. I wasn’t at all happy with the way he moved in the first half-mile at the Curragh, which isn’t exactly undulating anyway. He just wasn’t enjoying himself that day any more than he was at Epsom. After that it was a very easy decision to geld him.

“He’s never been difficult at home and it’s not just the gelding (that’s made the difference) as he suffers respiratory issues as well and that hasn’t helped. It certainly wasn’t helping in the spring and these things are never one specific thing, there’s always layers.”

With Pride Of Arras now not eligible to run in the St Leger or the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, Beckett is ready to consider targets further afield, including a possible trip to the Breeders’ Cup.

“I think this place suits him, which sorts of gives us a steer and we’ll probably end up having to travel him, but I wouldn’t be averse to that as I think he’s a different horse now and you could see that today,” the Kimpton Downs handler added.

“I would be tempted to think about California (Breeders’ Cup) and Hong Kong for him. I think the nature of those races will suit him really well.”

Gewan secures Acomb honours for Andrew Balding

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Gewan was a game winner of the Tattersalls Acomb Stakes for Andrew Balding and PJ McDonald at York.

The grey was a 11-2 chance in the seven-furlong Group Three, and ran prominently from the off when racing in the slipstream of the leader May Angel in the early stages.

In the last two furlongs the colt began to progress, and in the final furlong he established a lead that he then fought hard to maintain as Aidan O’Brien’s Italy, the eventual runner-up, sought to gain ground before going down by a length and a half.

Charlie Appleby’s Distant Storm, the 11-10 favourite, pulled hard throughout the race and was eventually third.

Balding said: “He’s a horse we’ve always liked from the moment he came into the yard and he was very well bought by Billy Jackson-Stops for not big money really (€80,000).

“He’s a son of Night Of Thunder who has done everything right since the first day and we liked the way he won at Newbury and we were always keen to come here.

“I think PJ was quite taken by him and his attitude and maybe felt he had a little more left.

“I think he’ll stay a mile no problem next year but we’ll probably stick at seven this year.”

Paddy Power make Gewan an 8-1 shot for the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket in October and Balding added: “It’s possible he could head to the Dewhurst next.

“There’s a lot of two-year-old races to be run between now and then, anything is possible at the moment. I don’t know if we’ve any better than him but other people probably have, so we’ll see how things play out.”

Italy could also be handed a Group One target in the future, with O’Brien satisfied with his performance.

He said: “He ran very well and he’s a lovely, big horse. Ryan (Moore) said he jumped a little bit slow and the horse that jumped in front of him took him an inch or two back further than he wanted to be.

“Ryan said he had to expose him very early, but he ran a very good race, he’s a lovely horse in the making and he will progress.

“There’s many options for him. We had the choice of running here or in the Futurity Stakes (at the Curragh) and obviously we picked to come here. From the Futurity you can go to the National Stakes, but it depends what happens with the others.”

Trefor enters Ayr Gold Cup reckoning after York success

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Charlie Hills is eyeing a possible tilt at the Ayr Gold Cup with Trefor following his narrow victory in the opening race of the Ebor Festival at York.

The four-year-old won at Doncaster and Ripon earlier this season and having been narrowly denied by Chief Mankato on his most recent appearance in a valuable event at Windsor nine days ago, he was a 7-1 shot for the curtain-raising Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool Handicap on the Knavesmire.

He was all dressed up with nowhere to go two furlongs out, but once Kieran Shoemark got him into the clear and set about chasing The Man, he always looked likely to reel him in.

Air Force One was not so lucky and had to wait longer for a gap, finishing fast for third, beaten a head and half a length.

Hills said: “I’m delighted to get his head in front, he deserved that. He was a bit unlucky not to win last week and he was well-in really.

“I liked the draw today (stall seven), I think low numbers are always quite handy earlier on in this week and he travelled away like a really nice horse.

“The Ayr Gold Cup is an obvious step from here, but the key to him is fast ground, so we just need to keep an eye on that.”

Santorini Star (100-30 favourite) returned to winning ways in the Sky Bet Stayers Handicap for William Haggas and Tom Marquand.

Wins at Brighton and Goodwood earlier in the season were followed by defeats at Pontefract and Fairyhouse, but the step up to two miles brought out plenty of improvement as she won by a length and a quarter from Artisan Dancer.

“She was on a really progressive route but just stalled for a couple of races,” said Marquand.

“Stepping her up to two miles maybe happened a bit more prematurely than we thought, but it suited.

“There are nice options over a mile and six (furlongs) for her but I don’t think you’ll see her back at a mile and a half again.”

The Richard Hughes-trained Star Of Mehmas (11-1) defied top-weight in the IRE-Incentive, It Pays To Buy Irish Fillies’ Handicap, narrowly denying Eternal Sunshine and Luna A Inbhir Nis in a three-way finish.

Hughes said: “I hadn’t a clue if she’d got there. Ryan (Moore) said they were going frantic up front and the pace finally collapsed.

“We don’t know what happened here last time (finished eighth), she was agitated and reared up which isn’t like her.

“She’s been carrying a 3lb penalty in Listed races and just getting beat. There wasn’t the perfect five-furlong race for her, so I said let’s take a chance in a handicap that’s worth loads of money and it’s paid off.”

The Sky Bet Nursery Handicap brought the seven-race card to a close as Hugo Palmer’s Ruby’s Angel (33-1) collared Kevin Ryan’s Mo Of Cairo in the dying strides to open her account at the fifth time of asking.

Palmer said: “I went through the card in a box beforehand and gave her no chance from that draw as the draw bias at York has got so tricky.

“I just said to Saffie (Osborne, jockey) that if she jumps, just keep trying to go left handed and she probably hit the line somewhere near stall four rather than 22, so she’s given her an absolutely beautiful ride.

“Saffie observed when I picked the saddle up that we must like this filly as she’s been favourite every time and I said we do like her. York’s Ebor meeting is not the traditional place to break your maiden at the fifth time of asking but she has done it.”

Ed Walker anticipating bold Lowther show from Royal Fixation

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Ed Walker is backing Royal Fixation to defy her relative inexperience in Sky Bet Lowther Stakes at York on Thursday.

Owned by Opulence Thoroughbreds, Ed Walker’s youngster pushed Albany Stakes scorer Venetian Sun to within a neck in the Group Two Duchess of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket and her team are confident they have a top-class prospect on their hands ahead of this next assignment.

“She’s done nothing but please us really and this has been the plan since Newmarket,” said Walker.

“There will be a couple in there with a bit more experience than her but that was a huge run at Newmarket on just her second start and we’re very excited about her.

“We’ve always liked her and she’s a short price in a Group Two, so she’s got to go and prove it now and there’s some very unexposed and equally very good fillies in there. So it’s far from a given, but we think she’s in good form and hopefully she can go well.”

One of those unexposed fillies Walker may have to worry about is Richard Hughes’ America Queen, who created a deep impression when romping to a 12-length Haydock success on debut.

Connections have reached for the services of Ryan Moore for the exciting €180,000 purchase who is an intriguing proposition on just her second start.

“She was very impressive at Haydock and we don’t really know what was behind her, but she was just in a different league to them that day,” said Philip Robinson, racing manager to owner Jaber Abdullah.

“It’s going to be interesting and she could be absolutely anything. It can be a different thing though once stepping up to take on other quality horses and you will find out where you are.

“We’re very pleased to get Ryan Moore for a big occasion like this and we’re just keeping our fingers crossed and looking forward to it.”

Hughes and Abdullah will also be represented in the race by Mood Queen, while Charlie Johnston’s unbeaten Timeforshowcasing also sports the owner’s colours in the six-furlong event.

“Timeforshowcasing is another who is progressive and Charlie has always thought a lot of her,” continued Robinson.

“There’s even Mood Queen in there who has shown a nice level of form, but I think between America Queen and Timeforshowcasing we have a realistic chance of taking the race.

“With America Queen, I’m just hoping can prove she is something a little bit special – we’ll know exactly where we are this time next week.”

George Scott’s Princess Margaret Stakes runner-up Staya and Tim Easterby’s consistent Argentine Tango – last seen chasing home Lady Iman in the Molecomb at Goodwood – add further spice to an intriguing contest.

Brian Ellison fields Criterium du Bequet winner Wor Faayth, seven years after his The Mackem Bullet was agonisingly denied in the dying strides of this contest.

“She won very well last time and is a nice filly,” said Ellison.

“She’s been in great form since and I’m really happy with her. This has been the plan since La Teste De Buch and she’s a Listed winner.

“She’s a really fast filly and it’s great to have Tom (Marquand) on board, he’s top-class. I think she will run well and she’s done nothing wrong at home.

“Her work has been great, she’s a tough filly who eats well and she took her trip to France very well, so we’re very hopeful.”

Simon and Ed Crisford’s Dandana got the better of Karl Burke’s Pearl Fortune at Ripon recently to take her record to two from two and now both step up in grade, while similar applies to Dylan Cunha’s Windsor winner Come On Eibhlin.

Adrian Keatley’s Marygate scorer Secret Hideaway returns to the scene of her finest hour to complete the line-up.

Lady Iman leads 17-strong Nunthorpe field

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Lady Iman heads a field 17 when she bid to become the first two-year-old in 18 years to win the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes at York on Friday.

Ger Lyon’s youngster has dazzled throughout the current campaign and was supplemented at a cost of £40,000 after advertising her claims in the Molecomb at Goodwood last time.

She is joined in a mouthwatering feature on day three of the Ebor Festival by a stellar cast of sprinting talent, with fellow Irish raiders including Adrian Murray’s Sapphire Stakes scorer Arizona Blaze and Jack Davison’s ultra-consistent stable star She’s Quality.

Australian ace Asfoora will continue her European odyssey and attempt to better last year’s fourth in this race for trainer Henry Dwyer, while Washington Heights was sixth 12 months ago and is one of two in the race for Kevin Ryan alongside Ain’t Nobody.

Ed Walker is another handler with two in the mix as he saddles both Mgheera and last year’s Lowther Stakes winner Celandine, with John and Sean Quinn putting their faith in King George Stakes winner Jm Jungle to continue his progress through the ranks at a track he knows well.

Fellow course winner Sayidah Dariyan returns to the Knavesmire looking to give Richard Hughes a first win as a trainer in a race he twice conquered as a jockey, while other notable names include Michael Bell’s two-year-old Spicy Marg and Jonathan Portman’s Rumstar, who like Lady Iman have been supplemented into the contest.

Trawlerman is the class act on the York undercard
Trawlerman is the class act on the York undercard (David Davies/PA)

In the supporting Weatherbys Lonsdale Cup Stakes, John and Thady Gosden’s emphatic Gold Cup winner Trawlerman is the standout name in a field of six that also includes stablemate and standing dish of the staying division Sweet William.

Karl Burke’s Al Qareem brings strong course form to the table, while Tom Clover’s Al Nayyir was beaten a short head in this last year and returns to correct the record after a similar narrow defeat at Sandown last time.

A field of eight will line-up for the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes where Walker’s Do Or Do Not has the chance for a first victory at Group level.

More Oaks glory beckons for Minnie Hauk

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Minnie Hauk can be expected to swoop on yet more prey to claim York’s Pertemps Network Yorkshire Oaks.

Aidan O’Brien’s daughter of Frankel has proved tough as teak this season and took her winning run to four when adding to her Oaks success at Epsom in the Irish equivalent last month.

Having worn down high-class stablemate Whirl – herself a dual Group one scorer since – late in the day at Epsom, Minnie Hauk again showed her staying prowess when doubling her Classic tally at the Curragh.

With O’Brien holding all the aces in this Group One he has won nine times, Minnie Hauk is his trump card and it is difficult to see any of her rivals having both the class and resolve to outlast this outstanding filly up the Knavesmire’s long home straight.

She can add a third Oaks of the year here and begin dreams of Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe glory for her ever-dominant team.

The action begins with a red-hot renewal of the Sky Bet Lowther Stakes where the intertwining form lines of the six-furlong juvenile division will be put to the test.

Ed Walker’s Royal Fixation and Tim Easterby’s Argentine Tango both represent the high-class Venetian Sun form from Newmarket’s Duchess of Cambridge Stakes, with the latter – who would be a popular local winner – also chasing home Nunthorpe favourite Lady Iman at Goodwood.

However, it was hard not to be impresses with the way America Queen breezed her way to victory on debut at Haydock last month in the manner of an ultra-smart animal.

Holes can easily be picked in the form of that race, but judged on visuals, Richard Hughes’ youngster was one of the most impressive of the season to date and with Ryan Moore booked to take the ride a bold bid is predicted.

Clive Cox is the man to follow in the Harry’s Half Million By Goffs where Song Of The Clyde can follow in the footsteps of Dragon Leader and Diligently to land the huge bounty for a third year in a row.

Yet to be dipped into deep waters, the Middleham Park Racing-owned colt beat a subsequent winner when opening his account at Chester on his second start and was not asked any serious questions when chasing home Ralph Beckett’s Gimcrack hope Egoli at Newbury most recently.

The owners also run Rod Millman’s Anthelia who is sure to be shorter in the betting following her Super Sprint triumph at Newbury, but while she may have already enjoyed her moment in the sun, there is a chance Song Of The Clyde has his best days ahead of him.

Remmooz enjoyed stepping up to a mile when scoring over course and distance last month and looks good value for just a 4lb raise in the Clipper Handicap.

The only defeat of his career has come when a respectable fourth in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot and it would be no surprise to see Owen Burrows’ colt return to stakes company before the year is out.

Paddy Twomey’s Irish raider Bonus Time is another progressive performer to keep onside in the British EBF Fillies’ Handicap after scooping a valuable prize at Naas at the beginning of the month.

SELECTIONS:

CHELMSFORD: 5.30 Harswell Duke, 6.00 Isambard Kingdom, 6.30 Parole Officer, 7.00 Reliable Ricki, 7.30 Brother Dave, 8.00 Invincible Love, 8.30 Poetic Jack, 9.00 Pebble Island.

KILLARNEY: 4.32 Urgent Whisper, 5.07 Bowensonfire, 5.37 Emily Love, 6.07 What’s Up Darling, 6.37 Gaelic Des Chastys, 7.07 Pride Of Place, 7.37 Wonleg, 8.07 Max Goodwin.

LINGFIELD: 2.00 Merci Monsieur, 2.35 Mezcala, 3.10 So Sassy, 3.45 Fram Castle, 4.20 Harpsichord, 4.55 Sugar Kane.

LEOPARDSTOWN: 4.50 Josh’s Joy, 5.25 Saxon Grace, 5.55 Clever And Classy, 6.25 Defiantly, 6.55 Colpe Cross, 7.25 Take Me, 7.55 Tachos.

NEWCASTLE: 5.45 Road To Wembley, 6.15 Ribble Vibe, 6.45 Bragbor, 7.15 Streets Of Gold, 7.45 Pixie Diva, 8.15 Believe The Storm, 8.45 Arctic Voyage

NEWTON ABBOT: 2.10 Three Pikes, 2.45 Lady Henrietta, 3.20 Cave Article, 3.55 Hope Rising, 4.25 Fringill Dike, 5.00 Faded Fantasy, 5.35 Magic Seven.

YORK: 1.50 America Queen, 2.25 SONG OF THE CLYDE (NAP), 3.00 Remmooz, 3.35 Minnie Hauk, 4.10 Alice Monet, 4.45 Ballistic Missile, 5.20 Bonus Time.

DOUBLE: Song Of The Clyde and Bonus Time.

Racing Bulletin for 20/08/2025

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York

Good to Firm

 13:50 14:25 15:00 15:35 16:10 16:45 17:20
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Good to Firm

 14:05 14:40 15:15 15:50 16:25 16:55
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Good

 16:50 17:25 17:55 18:30 19:00 19:30 20:00
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 17:05 17:38 18:08 18:38 19:08 19:38 20:08
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Standard / Slow

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Ed Walker targets Prix Foy with Almaqam

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Ed Walker is hopeful his patience can be rewarded when Almaqam puts his Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe credentials to the test in the Prix Foy next month.

Held in the highest regard by his team, the dry summer and fast ground has rather curtailed the four-year-old’s progress since his impressive win over Ombudsman in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes back in May.

While that Sandown rival has gone on to contest – and win – some of the summer’s highest profile middle-distance events, Almaqam has only been seen the once since, finishing second to Royal Champion when a beaten favourite at York last month.

However, Walker is content to sit and wait for the right opportunity for his star colt to advertise his quality on his preferred going, now eyeing a move up to a mile and a half at ParisLongchamp on September 7 which could prove the catalyst for an exciting Arc tilt later in the autumn.

“He’s bouncing but it’s just a bit frustrating again that we can’t get him out and we’re just being patient and waiting for some soft ground,” said Walker.

“The plan at the moment is the Prix Foy and that will tell us if we’re going to have a crack at the Arc or not or head for the Champion Stakes.”

Almaqam was no match for Royal Champion
Almaqam was no match for Royal Champion at York (PA)

He went on: “I’m not sure if the ground may have caught him out at York last time really, as it was a very good performance from the winner. Probably the slightly drying ground and slick track just didn’t play to his strengths.

“He’s a hard horse to beat on soft ground so we just have to be patient.”

Almaqam is currently a best price of 50-1 for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, with odds of 16-1 available for the Qipco Champion Stakes on British Champions Day.

Eclipse one-two all set for International rematch at York

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Delacroix gets the chance to confirm Coral-Eclipse form with Ombudsman in what looks a fascinating renewal of the Juddmonte International at York.

The richest race of the four-day Ebor Festival has a hard act to follow, as 12 months ago when City Of Troy beat Calandagan it was again rated as the best race anywhere in the world.

Aidan O’Brien’s Delacroix may have failed to fire as a 2-1 favourite for the Derby in early June, trailing home ninth behind stablemate Lambourn, but he proved that form all wrong when coming from an uncompromising position to beat his elders in an pulsating Eclipse at Sandown in early July.

Prince of Wales’s Stakes winner Ombudsman was the horse he nabbed in the shadow of the post that day and while John and Thady Gosden’s runner is the marginal favourite to gain his revenge, O’Brien is happy with his charge ahead of the rematch.

“He seems in good form since Sandown, so I’m looking forward to it,” said the Ballydoyle handler.

“What he did at Sandown after the passage he had there was unusual (the way he quickened up), so we hope he runs well again.”

City Of Troy went to the Breeders’ Cup Classic last year and whoever wins the International will again be guaranteed a starting berth, should they wish to tackle the Del Mar dirt on November 1.

To ensure a true-run race at York after the sedate pace of the Eclipse, Godolphin supplemented the Andre Fabre-trained Birr Castle to help Ombudsman.

John Gosden said: “The Eclipse was a muddling race and we didn’t want the prospect of a repeat, so Godolphin have kindly provided us with a nice horse to use as a pacemaker and he arrived on Thursday.”

Danon Decile in action in Newmarket
Danon Decile in action in Newmarket (York Racecourse)

Adding the international flavour is the Japanese Derby winner Danon Decile, who has been in Newmarket for a couple of weeks.

He has not run since beating Calandagan in the Dubai Sheema Classic in early April, but that form looks strong given the runner-up has since won twice at Group One level.

Calandagan’s trainer Francis-Henri Graffard decided against sending his King George hero to York this time around, but does saddle a fascinating contender for the Aga Khan Studs in the unbeaten Daryz.

“Maybe this will all be too soon for him in his career, but I know Francis just felt the horse is in great form, he’s worked him for this race and when the horse is well he doesn’t like not running them because you never know what might happen,” said the the owners’ French stud manager Nemone Routh.

“We’ll take our chance and see where he ends up in the grand scheme. It helps that there’s a pacemaker as he’s a big horse with a big, long stride.”

She went on: “On paper you’d imagine he’ll stay a  mile and a half when you stand in beside him but for the moment he’s been running well over a mile and a quarter. A strongly-run 10 furlongs should suit him.

“There’s no excuses, it’s a level playing field with a long straight at York, it should be a guide as to where we fall among his generation.”

Both of the parents of Andrew Balding’s See The Fire won this race, for those who like their pedigrees.

The daughter of Sea The Stars and Arabian Queen produced her career-best over this course and distance when winning the Middleton Stakes earlier in the season and has since finished third in both the Prince of Wales’s Stakes and the Nassau.

“The Juddmonte is always, in my opinion, the strongest race of the year,” said Balding.

See The Fire was "electric" at York earlier in the season
See The Fire was “electric” at York earlier in the season (Mike Egerton/PA)

“It’s where the three-year-olds will always turn up against the older horses and you get that wonderful mix of perhaps horses stepping up from a mile to a mile and a quarter and horses dropping back from a mile and a half.

“I think this year it’s very strong, as you’d expect. There are a couple of exciting unknowns in there, the Japanese horse and the French horse. But the thing about See The Fire is we know she loves York. She’s unbeaten at the track. She was very impressive winning the Strensall last year and she was absolutely electric winning the Middleton this spring.

“I think certain horses favour York and she’s certainly one of those – it’s got to be to her advantage. I’m not saying that means she’s going to win the race, but it should make her very competitive.

“She seems to have come out of Goodwood very well, but you never really know until you run again. I hope she’s going there in really good form.”

Jack Davison hoping for Group One breakthrough with She’s Quality

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Jack Davison is confident She’s Quality can prove she is just that when attempting to end her run of near-misses in the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes at York.

The four-year-old has been a regular raider to Britain this term, but so far has just fallen short, finishing second in all four outings – most recently when behind John and Sean Quinn’s reopposing Jm Jungle at Goodwood.

However, Davison has always seen the Knavesmire as the perfect place for his model of consistency to excel and she is backed to peak when it matters most to register a first success at Group One level.

“Ultimately she’s just been beaten by better horses on the day in her previous runs this season so I won’t make any excuses,” said Davison when analysing his charge’s season to date.

“What I will say though is I think she has learned a lot about sprinting in those four performances which will hopefully be in her favour on Friday and I think she has a very good chance of getting that number one by her name.

“It’s obvious that a quick five-furlongs on fast ground is exactly what she needs and this is the standout Group One option for her this year.

“We’ve been working towards it all season and I do think she thrives at this time of year which is another positive for a filly, so we’re really looking forward to it.”

She’s Quality is currently a best price of 10-1 for Nunthorpe glory, a race last won by the Irish when Edward Lynam’s Sole Power struck for the second time at York in 2014.

Carmers in good shape for York clash with Lambourn

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Paddy Twomey’s unbeaten colt Carmers is aiming for more success on British soil when he lines up in the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes at York on Wednesday.

The Wootton Bassett three-year-old did not run at two, and has not put a foot wrong since making his debut with a win in a Ballinrobe maiden in early May.

He then took the Listed Yeats Stakes at Navan by a comfortable three lengths, after which he stepped up to Group Two level at Royal Ascot to claim the Queen’s Vase over a mile and six furlongs.

The colt is now heading for English shores again with his eye on another Group Two prize, this time stepping back to a mile and a half with Colin Keane booked to ride on the Knavesmire in the absence of the injured Billy Lee.

“He’s in very good form,” said Twomey.

“He’s trained really well since Ascot and has pleased us in everything he’s done, we’re really looking forward to getting him back out again.”

Carmers’ Queen’s Vase win at Ascot has looked like an increasingly solid piece of form – the runner-up, Furthur, has won the Geoffrey Freer since and the fifth-placed horse, Scandinavia, has subsequently struck twice when taking both the Bahrain Trophy and the Goodwood Cup.

Those performances bode well for Twomey’s runner, who will meet dual Derby winner Lambourn at York on quick ground the trainer feels his St Leger contender will relish.

“The race looks like it’s worked out really well, the form is very good from Ascot,” he said.

“I think the track at the Knavesmire will really suit him, it’s a big, galloping track and it will be fast ground which he really likes.

“He’d be very happy with the ground as it is, it was very quick ground at Ascot and he was very happy on that.”

Aidan O’Brien has chosen the Group Two as the next port of call for Lambourn, who has the option of the Leger or Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe after this.

Impressive at Epsom, he was made to work extremely hard when following up at the Curragh by then stablemate Serious Contender, who had been beaten in a handicap at Royal Ascot and has since been sold to Hong Kong.

“Lambourn has obviously had four races this year, he’s fit, so he hasn’t done too much since the Curragh,” said O’Brien.

“We’ve just kept him ticking over really. Los Angeles came from the Curragh and Epsom to this race last year

“Mount Kilimanjaro had a break after winning at Chester. He’s just ready to start back really.

“It’s the same with Stay True, he just got beat in the Lingfield trial by another of ours (Puppet Master) and we gave him a break as that was just his second run, he’s just ready to start.

“They’ll improve a lot for the run.”

O’Brien also runs Thrice, seventh in the Irish Derby when last seen and prior to that the winner of the Gallinule Stakes.

William Haggas is represented by Glasgow Stakes runner-up Arabian Force, while Ralph Beckett’s Pride Of Arras, so impressive in the Dante but disappointing since, returns to York having been gelded.

Majestic Warrior aiming to realise long-term Ebor plan

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James Tate is hoping a long-term plan comes to fruition with Majestic Warrior in the Sky Bet Ebor at York on Saturday.

Successful in two of his first three races in 2023, the Churchill five-year-old then defied an absence of almost two years when bolting up at Thirsk in April.

Having seen his rating shoot up from 89 to 98, Tate has resisted the temptation to run since, instead electing to keep his powder dry for Europe’s richest Flat handicap.

“We’ve preserved his mark of 98, which we thought would get him in the race and give him the best chance I suppose,” said the Newmarket handler.

“The only concern is he doesn’t have as much experience as many of them in the field, but he’s in very good form, he’s a good horse and we’re looking forward to running him.

“We decided not to run him again after Thirsk and we’ll see if it’s a good plan halfway through Saturday afternoon.

“If he’d gone and won another small handicap he’d have been near enough top-weight, alternatively if we’d gone for a Listed race they’re probably worth £40,000 added most of those and this is £500,000 added, so we’ll give it a whirl and if it doesn’t work we can go somewhere else after.”

When asked whether he felt his charge was well handicapped, Tate added: “We hope so, but you don’t know do you? He’s a horse we’ve always liked, a mile and six (furlongs) will be his ideal trip, I would have thought, and I think he’d go on anything from good to soft to good to firm.”

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