Jack Kennedy was delighted to be back in the winner’s enclosure for the first time since returning from injury after steering Kamikaz Du Plessis to success at Wexford on Friday.
The former Irish champion jockey broke his leg for a sixth time in November and despite making it back for the Cheltenham Festival in March, he has been on the sidelines again since, missing showpiece meetings at Aintree and Punchestown as well as the conclusion of the 2024-25 Irish season.
Kennedy was out of luck with his three rides on his long-awaited return at Tipperary on Tuesday and also failed to trouble the judge on his three mounts at the same track on Thursday, but struck gold in Wexford’s opening Shamrock Enterprises Maiden Hurdle.
He said: “That’s brilliant and I didn’t have to wait too long, so it’s great.”
The Gordon Elliott-trained Kamikaz Du Plessis was an 11-8 favourite having gone down narrowly on his debut under rules at Ballinrobe in late May and rewarded his supporters with a near four-length verdict.
Kennedy added: “He is a very slick jumper, he travelled well and was probably borderline keen early, but once we on a little bit he was perfect then. He is a nice horse and hopefully there will be plenty more to come with him.
“He stayed on well in Ballinrobe the last day, so we were hoping the two-and-a-half-mile trip today would suit him.
“He probably put the race to bed fairly easy and I was probably there a bit soon on him. He was green and just ran around a bit, but he is a nice horse, I got a nice feel off of him, so hopefully he can go forward.”
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Last year’s winner Giavellotto is a notable absentee after just six horses stood their ground at the confirmation stage for the Princess of Wales’s Stakes at Newmarket on Thursday.
Marco Botti’s stable star was a decisive winner of the Group Two feature on the opening day of the July Festival last season and rounded off his campaign with top-level success in the Hong Kong Vase.
Having finished a creditable third in last month’s Coronation Cup at Epsom, Giavellotto was being readied to defend his crown on the July Course before being scratched on Friday morning.
Marco Botti trains Giavellotto (Mike Egerton/PA)
Explaining his absence, Botti said: “We scoped this morning, he had a few coughs and we weren’t happy with the scope. Tomorrow (Saturday) he was meant to be doing a piece of work and we felt he wasn’t going to be 100 per cent.
“It’s disappointing because this race has been in my mind for a long time and there’s not many left in the race, but on the other hand the horse’s welfare comes first and if we feel he’s not going to be 100 per cent, there is no point in going to the races.
“These things normally just take a few days and then they are OK and it’s just unfortunate that we’re so close to the race and were meant to gallop the horse tomorrow. We just felt it’s not the right thing for the horse to gallop with a little bit of infection, but I’m sure it will clear up soon.”
Botti is unsure where Giavellotto will make his next appearance, with a return to Sha Tin in early December top of his agenda.
The trainer added: “We have made an entry in a Group One in Germany in August and long-term we would obviously like to run him in Hong Kong, so we’ll work backwards from that.
“As the season goes on into the autumn another thing we have to bear in mind is the ground, because he doesn’t want it soft.
“He has an entry in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, but we made that entry a long time ago and I would say at this stage it’s not a race we’ll probably go for. All the other options will be considered and Hong Kong would be the priority basically.”
A small field is guaranteed for the Princess of Wales’s Stakes, with Charlie Appleby leaving in Arabian Crown and El Cordobes and John and Thady Gosden confirming both Military Academy and Palladium.
The other contenders are James Owen’s Wimbledon Hawkeye and the Clive Cox-trained Ghostwriter, who was last seen finishing third behind Godolphin’s globetrotting star Rebel’s Romance in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Maximized winning the Woodcote Stakes at Epsom (Adam Davy/PA)
Six entries have been made for the Group Three Bahrain Trophy, including Aidan O’Brien’s pair of Galveston and Scandinavia, with the former of particular interest after finishing third in the King Edward VII Stakes at the Royal meeting.
Andrew Balding’s Furthur, who came even closer to Ascot success with a close-up second in the Queen’s Vase, also features.
Nine juveniles are in the mix for what looks a strong renewal of Kingdom of Bahrain July Stakes.
Appleby could saddle Norfolk runner-up Wise Approach and the unbeaten Maximized, while Ed Walker’s Do Or Do Not also brings strong form the table having finished second in the Coventry Stakes.
O’Brien’s sole representative is Curragh maiden winner Brussels, with Eve Johnson Houghton’s Salisbury scorer Zavateri, Paul and Oliver Cole’s impressive Goodwood victor Jel Pepper and Hugo Palmer’s dual winner Tricky Tel others of interest.
Five weeks on from her scintillating seasonal debut on Merseyside, Estrange returns to Haydock for the bet365 Lancashire Oaks on Saturday.
A brilliant winner on her Goodwood introduction last summer, David O’Meara’s filly failed to fire in a Listed event at Yarmouth next time but bounced back in some style at Doncaster in November.
The Cheveley Park Stud-owned four-year-old was not even favourite for her reappearance in the Group Three Lester Piggott Stakes at the end of May, but breezed clear of her rivals in impressive fashion.
“We were heading to Haydock the last day with quite a bit of hope – we thought she was very good based on her homework,” said O’Meara.
“I thought she would see out a mile and a half and it made for pretty easy watching. She lobbed along and it was apparent in the straight, when a lot of the other fillies were coming under pressure, that when Danny (Tudhope) eased her out she looked like she was just doing a half-speed.
“It was a great sense of relief when she won as so much can go wrong in races and sometimes horses don’t live up to what we think of them, but she certainly lived up to expectations.
“The ease with which she won did take me a bit by surprise, but we did expect her to put up a good show.”
David O’Meara has high hopes for Estrange (John Walton/PA)
Connections have made no secret of the regard in which Estrange is held, with targets as lofty as the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe being mooted.
O’Meara added: “Amazing Maria was brilliant for us then we also had G Force, while Mondialiste gave me great satisfaction when we took him to Canada and he won the Woodbine Mile.
“Far more of those good horses end up in other yards, so we are very aware that we are very fortunate to have Estrange in the yard and Cheveley Park Stud have always been very supportive to us.”
Scenic impressed in the Bronte Cup at York (Mike Egerton/PA)
Chief among Estrange’s rivals in Saturday’s Group Two feature is Ed Walker’s Scenic, winner of the Group Three Bronte Cup at York on her most recent outing and subsequently recruited by the powerful Wathnan Racing team.
Walker said: “It’s a small field and fingers crossed it should be a good opportunity for her.
“Her plan since last year has been the Bronte, the Lancashire Oaks and the Yorkshire Oaks. That was always the plan and we’re still well on track.”
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Aidan O’Brien could honour the memory of his late brother-in-law when Daytona heads to Naas for the inaugural running of the Irish EBF Pat Smullen Stakes.
A 500,000 guineas purchase as a yearling, the son of Wootton Bassett impressed on debut at Gowran Park last month, with the master of Ballydoyle always having this newly-created Listed event in mind for the smart prospect.
O’Brien said: “Daytona is a good horse. He won nicely in Gowran the first day when Jack (Cleary) rode him. Wayne (Lordan) rides him in Naas. We think he’s a nice horse and we think the trip should suit him.
“Obviously, the race is in memory of Pat and that makes it very special for us and we’re delighted to be running what we think is a nice horse in the race. We like him, we think he’s a classy horse.”
O’Brien’s son Joseph is also well represented, saddling both Fairyhouse winner Green Soul and North Coast, the latter creating a taking impression with an all-the-way five-and-a-half-length win at Down Royal recently.
Leblon Queen had accounted for the aforementioned Green Soul on debut before running down the field in last weekend’s Airlie Stud Stakes.
She is quickly returned to the track as part of a two-strong hand for Adrian Murray alongside Flanker Jet, who was not far behind quality Ballydoyle pair Amadeus Mozart and Dorset when fourth at the Curragh on debut.
Jessica Harrington’s Wyman, Ger Lyons’ Genchev and Johnny Murtagh’s Blue Blue Moon are all unraced and complete the line-up.
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Jesse Evans made a successful return to the jumping game with a determined display in the Kevin McManus Bookmaker Grimes Hurdle at Tipperary.
Noel Meade’s talented dual-purpose performer was unable to get involved when contesting the Copper Horse Stakes at Royal Ascot a fortnight ago but having previously impressed over hurdles at Ballinrobe, the nine-year-old was among the market principals for this Grade Three contest at 7-2.
With 5-2 favourite Gaucher faltering on the run to the final flight, it was Barry Connell’s veteran Enniskerry who looked most likely to emerge victorious after taking over the lead, but Jesse Evans dug deep on the run-in for Donagh Meyler and passed the post a half-length to the good.
“He’s been great and has brought the owners all over the place and was in Ascot not so long ago. He’s a yard favourite,” said Meyler.
“He’s ground it out and is as tough as nails. He had a nice weight on the ratings and had match fitness on his side which definitely paid off there.
“He’s toughed it out the whole way up the straight. I’m not sure what plans are but he’s won a Graded race today and we’ll celebrate that.”
Meade was at Bellewstown, from where he told Racing TV: “I’m absolutely thrilled – he’s a little diamond. He’s not very big, but he wears his heart on his sleeve and he rarely runs a bad race.
“Jumping helps him as he’s a very slick jumper and he’s a marvellous horse. He’s won a lot of money – Flat, fences and hurdles.”
On future plans, he added: “I don’t think he’d get home in the Galway Plate. We’ll probably enter him in case the ground came up really good, but any time we’ve run him over further than two miles, it didn’t work.
“I’d say it’s unlikely we’ll run him in the Plate and I don’t think we’ll run him in the Galway Hurdle again either. He’s run well in it before, but he’s at the top of the handicap and it would be very hard for him.
“If he went to Galway there’s a chase there he might run in instead, but we’ll see.”
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Multiple champion jockey Oisin Murphy has said there was “no excuse” for his actions, having been fined £70,000 and banned from driving for 20 months after admitting driving a car while drunk and crashing into a tree earlier this year.
The 29-year-old was sentenced at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Thursday after he pleaded guilty to one count of driving a motor vehicle while over the prescribed limit of alcohol.
In a statement, Murphy said: “I would like to sincerely apologise for my actions. I know that drink driving is unacceptable and there is no excuse for what I did.
“I have let a lot of people down. I particularly want to apologise to my passenger and her family.
“I have so far been able to share only minimal details of my offence with the British Horseracing Authority as a result of the police investigation. I will now be fully co-operative with their enquiries.
“It would not be appropriate for me to comment further until that process is concluded.”
The British Horseracing Authority has confirmed Murphy is free to continue riding, although the governing body expressed “disappointment” in his conduct and plans to place new conditions on his licence.
A spokesperson said: “Everyone at the BHA, like all involved in our sport, is disappointed today having learned the details of the offence to which Oisin Murphy has pleaded guilty.
Oisin Murphy arrives at Reading Magistrates’ Court (Jonathan Brady/PA)
“This is a very serious offence that, in the course of being committed, saw Mr Murphy jeopardise not only his own safety but that of his passenger and all other people travelling on the roads at the same time as him that night.
“His conduct fell a long way short of the standard we expect of all licensed individuals, in whom we place trust that they will represent our sport to the best of their abilities, upholding our collective reputation and ensuring racing is a safe place for all.
“In light of Mr Murphy’s guilty plea and the information revealed in court today, we will be working on the addition of new conditions on his licence that may be referred to the Licensing Committee for their consideration. As has been the case in recent weeks, Mr Murphy remains free to take up his riding engagements.
“We will issue an update on this process in due course and will be making no further comment at this time.”
Murphy was charged by postal requisition on June 19 after he drove his grey Mercedes A Class off the road and into a tree in Hermitage, Berkshire, at about 12.05am on April 27.
The court heard that he and his passenger, who was the owner of the car, were both taken to hospital after the crash and that Murphy was later discharged to take a breathalyser test at a police station at about 7am, which showed a reading of 66mg per 100 millilitres of breath.
This meant he was “just shy of twice above the drink-driving limit” at the time of driving, prosecutor Richard Atkins told the court.
Sporting a dark blue suit, white shirt and tie, Murphy only spoke to confirm his name, date of birth, and address, before entering his guilty plea.
Judge Sam Goozee, sentencing, told Murphy: “You are lucky that neither you, your passenger, or the public were injured by your actions.
“I do balance that with the remorse you have shown for your actions. You have also recognised that you have let the public down by virtue of your actions, and your colleagues in the racing world.”
Oisin Murphy seen celebrating a winner at Royal Ascot last month (David Davies/PA)
In addition to his £70,000 fine, Murphy must pay a £2,000 surcharge and £85 in costs. The figures were calculated based on his annual earnings, which the court heard are in the region of £250,000 a year, in addition to a weekly salary of £1,250.
Murphy will also have to complete a drink-driving awareness course by August 13 2026, and will be able to reapply for a driving licence by November next year.
The four-times champion jockey is due to be in action at Saratoga on Friday night, where he is booked to partner New Century in the Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes, before jetting back from America in time to team up with 2000 Guineas winner Ruling Court in Saturday’s Coral-Eclipse at Sandown.
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Having bumped into subsequent Gold Cup hero Trawlerman on his latest visit to Sandown, Al Nayyir bids to open his account for the season in the Coral Marathon at the Esher circuit on Friday.
Narrowly beaten by Vauban on his first start for trainer Tom Clover in last summer’s Lonsdale Cup at York, the seven-year-old spent the winter months abroad, finishing fifth in the Red Sea Turf Handicap in Saudi Arabia and then eighth in Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan.
He was not disgraced when third behind Trawlerman and Coltrane on his return to British action in the Henry II Stakes in late May and takes the latter on again at Listed level on the eve of the Coral-Eclipse.
Clover said: “He seems to be in good shape, so I hope he’ll run a nice race. He’s training well and we’re looking forward to running him.
“Trawlerman was obviously impressive (at Royal Ascot) and I’d like to think we’ve come forward a touch from that run. If we’re there or thereabouts that would be great.
“I just felt he stalled a little bit last time out perhaps and we thought the cheekpieces might just sharpen him up a bit, we’ll see.”
Andrew Balding’s Coltrane is sent back into battle just over a fortnight after finishing fifth in the Gold Cup, while Alan King declared his stable star Trueshan, but he has since been declared a non-runner due to unsuitable ground.
Listed honours are also up for grabs in the preceding Davies Insurance Solutions Gala Stakes, which sees William Knight’s stable stalwart Checkandchallenge test his powers against the Balding-trained Windlord and Cash from David Simcock’s yard, among others.
Windlord, owned by Juddmonte, has been deployed as a pacemaker for the brilliant Field Of Gold in the Irish 2,000 Guineas and the St James’s Palace Stakes on his last two starts and now returns to a venue where he has smart form hoping to make the most of his sights being lowered.
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Multiple champion jockey Oisin Murphy has been fined £70,000 and banned from driving for 20 months after admitting driving a car while drunk and crashing into a tree earlier this year.
The 29-year-old was sentenced at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Thursday after he pleaded guilty to one count of driving a motor vehicle while over the prescribed limit of alcohol.
He was charged by postal requisition on June 19 after he drove his grey Mercedes A Class off the road and into a tree in Hermitage, Berkshire, at about 12.05am on April 27.
He had a passenger with him at the time, who was the owner of the car, the court heard. They were both taken to hospital after the crash.
Murphy was later discharged to take a breathalyser test at a police station at about 7am, which showed a reading of 66mg per 100 millilitres of breath.
Oisin Murphy seen leaving court on Thursday (Jonathan Brady/PA)
This meant he was “just shy of twice above the drink-driving limit” at the time of driving, prosecutor Richard Atkins told the court.
Sporting a dark blue suit, white shirt and tie, Murphy only spoke to confirm his name, date of birth, and address, before entering his guilty plea.
Judge Sam Goozee, sentencing, told Murphy: “You are lucky that neither you, your passenger, or the public were injured by your actions.
“I do balance that with the remorse you have shown for your actions.
“You have also recognised that you have let the public down by virtue of your actions, and your colleagues in the racing world.”
Murphy’s defence barrister Alex Di Francesco offered the court an apology on behalf of his client.
Mr Di Francesco said: “He wants to apologise, first to his passenger, to the public and other road users… and he wants to apologise to those whom he works alongside.”
Oisin Murphy rode five winners at Royal Ascot last month (David Davies/PA)
The day he was officially charged was the Thursday of Royal Ascot week, when he rode a double courtesy of Arabian Story and Never So Brave. He ended the showpiece meeting with five winners in total.
Murphy is due to be in action at Saratoga on Friday night, where he is booked to partner New Century in the Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes, before jetting back from America in time to team up with 2000 Guineas winner Ruling Court in Saturday’s Coral-Eclipse at Sandown.
In addition to his fine, Murphy must pay a £2,000 surcharge and £85 in costs. The figures were calculated based on his annual earnings, which the court heard are in the region of £250,000 a year, in addition to a weekly salary of £1,250.
Murphy will also have to complete a drink-driving awareness course by August 13 2026, and will be able to reapply for a driving licence by November next year.
The British Horseracing Authority confirmed Murphy is free to continue riding, although the governing body expressed “disappointment” in his conduct and plans to place new conditions on his licence.
A spokesperson said: “Everyone at the BHA, like all involved in our sport, is disappointed today having learned the details of the offence to which Oisin Murphy has pleaded guilty.
“This is a very serious offence that, in the course of being committed, saw Mr Murphy jeopardise not only his own safety but that of his passenger and all other people travelling on the roads at the same time as him that night.
“His conduct fell a long way short of the standard we expect of all licensed individuals, in whom we place trust that they will represent our sport to the best of their abilities, upholding our collective reputation and ensuring racing is a safe place for all.
“In light of Mr Murphy’s guilty plea and the information revealed in court today, we will be working on the addition of new conditions on his licence that may be referred to the Licensing Committee for their consideration. As has been the case in recent weeks, Mr Murphy remains free to take up his riding engagements.
“We will issue an update on this process in due course and will be making no further comment at this time.”
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Multiple champion jockey Oisin Murphy has been fined £70,000 after admitting drink driving after he crashed his car into a tree earlier this year.
The 29-year-old appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Thursday afternoon where he pleaded guilty to one count of driving a motor vehicle while over the prescribed limit of alcohol.
He was not asked to plead on another count of failing to cooperate with a preliminary test at the roadside.
The four-times champion was charged by postal requisition on June 19 after he drove his grey Mercedes A Class off the road and into a tree in Hermitage, Berkshire, at about 12.05am on April 27.
He was officially charged on the Thursday of Royal Ascot week, when he rode a double courtesy of Arabian Story and Never So Brave. He ended the showpiece meeting with five winners in total.
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Almaqam could be rerouted to the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes or given a midsummer break, after being ruled out of this weekend’s Coral-Eclipse at Sandown due to unsuitable ground.
Connections were keen to have a crack at Saturday’s Group One feature, with the four-year-old having impressed over the course and distance when getting the better of the subsequent Prince of Wales’s Stakes victor and Eclipse favourite Ombudsman in the Brigadier Gerard in late May.
However, with the ground at the Esher circuit still on the quick side, trainer Ed Walker has elected to play it safe and with a line also put through next week’s Princess of Wales’s Stakes at Newmarket, Almaqam will either head to Ascot on July 26 or be saved for an autumn campaign.
“It is (frustrating to miss the Eclipse), but it’s out of our hands,” said Walker.
“He won’t go to Newmarket next week. I guess he could possibly go for the King George, but I need to speak to the team and work out whether we go there or give him a break now and keep him fresh for the autumn.
“Everything is on hold at the moment.”
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Staya makes a quick return in Friday’s 50 Years Together Coral Dragon Stakes at Sandown after her promising run in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot.
Beaten only one and three-quarter lengths in fifth place behind True Love, Staya had previously been a comfortable winner on her Yarmouth debut and George Scott’s talented two-year-old now drops back to Listed company for a race the Newmarket handler won with Rocket Rodney in 2022.
Scott said: “She ran great. We were really happy with her.
“She was a little bit green under pressure. I think she’s probably come on for the run.
“It was either come here to Sandown or go to the July meeting and I’d really like to make her a stakes winner, then I’d be thinking about working back from the Lowther (at York) or something.
“I think this is a more sensible option for her. I do think she’s going to be a fun two-year-old filly. I really like her.”
Charlie Appleby’s Military Code is back to the distance he won at in his first two starts after failing to make his mark when upped to six furlongs for the Coventry Stakes, while Karl Burke’s Love Olivia is seeking a revival having been well held at the Royal meeting.
Rogue Supremacy is one of two in the race for David O’Meara alongside Solana Rose and was another fancied to play a leading role at Ascot.
However, in contrast to Military Code and Love Olivia, the son of St Mark’s Basilica had valid excuses when finishing down the field in the Windsor Castle.
Tony Elliott, founder of owners The Rogues Gallery, said: “We were very disappointed at Ascot and Daniel Tudhope (jockey) came in and apologised for getting it wrong, which is allowed to happen from time to time.
“He said he followed the wrong horses who he thought would go forward and they didn’t, so it was jockey error to a point and hopefully we can get it right this time with less horses in the field. Unfortunately Daniel couldn’t ride, so we have Hector Crouch on who is riding really well for us lately.
“The horse is very well and we’re expecting him to go close. We feel he has improved again at home and it’s hard to know with these St Mark’s Basilicas as at the moment we’re the best one. It’s always an experiment with a horse by a first-season stallion, but we’re hoping for big things at Sandown.”
Richard Hannon’s Lebron Power impressed on debut at Windsor and is upped in class for just his second start, while Dr Richard Newland and Jamie Insole’s Blue Orbit is another heading to the race on the back of a victory. Rod Millman’s course runner-up Killavia completes the line-up.
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Aidan O’Brien has added The Lion In Winter to Sunday’s Prix Jean Prat at Thursday’s supplementary stage, meaning a maximum of 10 will line-up in Sunday’s Group One feature at Deauville.
It is interesting the son of Sea The Stars reverts to the distance he excelled over at York as a juvenile, winning an Acomb Stakes which had Wimbledon Hawkeye in second and subsequent 2000 Guineas hero Ruling Court back in third.
That would be his final outing at two, with a late setback ruling him out of the Dewhurst Stakes, but he was one of the market leaders throughout the winter until somewhat underwhelming in his comeback run in the Dante back on the Knavesmire.
Unperturbed by that performance, connections continued to Epsom, but after again failing to sparkle when well beaten in the premier Classic, The Lion In Winter now drops back to seven furlongs on the Normandy Coast.
Juddmonte have added Andre Fabre’s filly Apollo Fountain to the field for a race the master trainer has won a joint-record five times.
She joins fellow Juddmonte-owned contender, Harry Charlton’s Irish 2,000 Guineas runner-up Cosmic Year, and Charlie Appleby’s high-class Shadow Of Light in what could be a red-hot cast, with the home defence led by Christopher Head’s Maranoa Charlie who brings British interest thanks to his owners, the Yorkshire-based Bond Thoroughbreds operation.
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A top-class field of six horses will go to post for the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown on Saturday.
All eyes will be on Ombudsman after his brilliant Prince of Wales’s Stakes victory at Royal Ascot, although John and Thady Gosden’s four-year-old faces a serious test.
Leading the opposition is Sosie for French master Andre Fabre, while Aidan O’Brien runs beaten Derby favourite Delacroix, who is the choice of Ballydoyle number one Ryan Moore, and French Derby hero Cammille Pissaro, who will be reunited with Christophe Soumillon.
Hotazhell, winner of the Futurity Trophy at Doncaster last year, takes his chance for Jessica Harrington and is a third Irish raider making the visit to Esher.
Charlie Appleby has opted to run his 2000 Guineas winner Ruling Court, who completes the sextet stepping up to 10 furlongs for the first time and will be partnered by Oisin Murphy, with Godolphin number one William Buick pledging his allegiance to Ombudsman.
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2.80704988-scaled.jpg12802560https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.png2025-07-03 09:28:472025-07-03 12:20:10Ombudsman leads the way in Eclipse for the ages
The Juddmonte International Stakes is “definitely an option” for the exciting Daryz, as connections search for the ideal route to the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
The regally-bred son of Sea The Stars impressively enhanced his unbeaten record in Saint-Cloud’s Prix Eugene Adam, with trainer Francis-Henri Graffard said to be “quite interested” on another York raid, having seen Calandagan chase home City Of Troy 12 months ago in a race since officially recognised as the best in the world.
“We’re slightly scratching our heads with Daryz and we would need to sit down with Princess Zahra as well as there are several options we can take with the horse,” said Nemone Routh, racing manager for owners the Aga Khan Studs in France.
“I know Francis is quite interested in the idea of bringing him to the Juddmonte International and he’s obviously done very well over that trip and we’ve only ever run him him over a mile and a quarter, so it is the right trip for him.
“It would be a big ask as Sunday was only his fourth start, but he’s an improving horse and we’re really excited by him, he’s bred in the purple and a proper horse.”
Daryz entered the Arc picture after claiming the scalp of George Scott’s Bay City Roller at Saint-Cloud, with some firms going as short as 12-1 for Europe’s richest middle-distance prize.
And that race is firmly in connections’ thoughts as they also consider a long-established stepping stone closer to home ahead of the ParisLongchamp feature on October 5.
Routh added: “We have an eye on the Arc at the end of the year, but he needs to run before that and there’s several different races he could run in. He could have a traditional prep for the Arc in the Prix Niel or he could take in something like York.
“We’ll have to weigh everything up with him as he is still a little immature, but he’s improved with every race and York is definitely an option. We will just have to see what is the right option as we haven’t quite figured that out.”
With King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes-bound Calandagan also entered, Routh continued: “We would be very happy to have a runner in the race, we’re just not quite sure at this stage if it will be Daryz.
“It will come down to what the trainer thinks and what the owner thinks, but we wanted to have both Calandagan and Daryz entered for York to give us the option. We had a great time with Calandagan there last year and it’s a great track and the Juddmonte International a great race.”
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