Tag Archive for: Juddmonte International

Calandagan delights Graffard in Juddmonte International defeat

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Francis-Henri Graffard was proud of Calandagan in defeat after the French raider found only the brilliant City Of Troy too strong in an epic Juddmonte International at York.

Calandagan was on a roll after completing a hat-trick for the season with a stunning display in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot, and he was a 13-2 shot to continue his winning streak in what looked the race of the season on the Knavesmire.

There was no hanging around from the much-heralded Derby hero City Of Troy, who galloped his rivals into submission from the front to claim victory in a course record time – and it was Graffard’s charge who gave him most to think about.

Stephane Pasquier’s mount ate up the ground in the home straight and will briefly have had City Of Troy’s supporters sweating after moving onto his tail. He could not quite get on terms, but his trainer felt he lost little in coming up only a length short.

“It was a fantastic run. They jumped very fast and then they took a pull and that didn’t suit us, as we found ourselves quite far from the lead,” said Graffard.

“He tried my horse, the way he quickened in the straight, it was fantastic to watch. I shouted as I was thinking we were coming to get him (City Of Troy), but he kept pushing and he is a champion.

“I’m very proud of our horse. It is the first time he has run in a Group One and we didn’t have any Group One form before, so there were still a lot of question marks – but the way he accelerated in the straight was fantastic and he is a very good horse.”

While in no rush to firm up future plans, Graffard raised a return to Ascot for the Qipco Champion Stakes in October as a possibility.

He added: “Obviously we will see how he comes back. He can come back to Ascot for the Champion Stakes, we will speak to the entourage obviously, but we know he doesn’t mind soft ground.

“There are plenty of options. As you know, he’s a gelding. We’ll see how he comes back because I think he gave a lot of his heart on the racecourse today.

“He definitely could (travel abroad), but I think he’s a horse that wants a big, galloping track.”

Having finished third behind City Of Troy in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown last month, Clive Cox’s 33-1 shot Ghostwriter again picked up the bronze medal to emerge best of the home team.

Ghostwriter (second right) finishing third in the Juddmonte International
Ghostwriter (second right) finishing third in the Juddmonte International (Mike Egerton/PA)

Cox said: “I’m extremely proud. It was definitely the race of the year and I’m very proud of how my horse has acquitted himself impeccably, enjoying the drier surface.

“Full marks to Richard Kingscote for the ride he gave him from stall 13 and I’m highly delighted with the run and proud to be part of it.

“It was a career-best without a shadow of a doubt. We’ve always believed in him, he was an incredible two-year-old, these dreams always felt possible and thankfully he’s confirming those possibilities.

“I think a mile and a quarter is his trip and I don’t think we’ll be searching to take him further.”

Bluestocking winning the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh
Bluestocking winning the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh (Damien Eagers/PA)

Bluestocking has enjoyed a fine season for trainer Ralph Beckett and owners Juddmonte, landing the Middleton Stakes over this course and distance in the spring before breaking her Group One duck in the Pretty Polly Stakes in Ireland and then finishing second to Goliath in the King George.

Solid market support led to her going off the 5-1 second-favourite for her latest top-level assignment and while she was far from disgraced in fourth, connections felt the run exposed her limitations against the best of the boys.

“She’s run a huge race, to be fair. The first three home are very good horses and to be best of the rest in what looked like the race of the year was a huge run,” said Juddmonte’s European racing manager Barry Mahon.

“Today was to find out whether she was up to an Arc or if she is a filly for the Prix de l’Opera or the Fillies & Mares on Champions Day. I think today we found out we’ve got a very good filly, but she’s probably better sticking to her own sex.

“We’re very, very happy with her and Rossa (Ryan) said the trip makes no difference (mile and a quarter or a mile and a half).

“Obviously we’ve had two course records today, so the ground is quick and Rossa felt she might be a little bit better on softer ground, but we were comprehensively beaten, so we’ll go back against our own sex and try to win another (Group One) before the year is out.

“All year she hasn’t let us down. I know you’re always disappointed to finish fourth, but that was a huge run.”



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Calandagan and Zarakem offering French resistance to City Of Troy

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Francis-Henri Graffard hopes his Royal Ascot winner Calandagan is ready to step forward when he takes his chance in the Juddmonte International at York.

The Gleneagles gelding faces a star-studded line-up on the Knavesmire, with Derby and Eclipse winner City Of Troy and Derby runner-up Ambiente Friendly part of the record 13-strong field for York’s richest-ever race.

Calandagan has impressed this year and was a three-quarter-length second on his seasonal reappearance in a Listed event at Saint-Cloud.

He then won the Group Three Prix Noailles and Prix Hocquart at ParisLongchamp, with all three of those races coming on soft or heavy ground.

Calandagan displayed his versatility when he won the Group Two King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot on good to firm, and Graffard is confident he is ready to move up to the highest level for the first time, in an event which is part of the Qipco British Champions Series.

Graffard said: “He’s in very good form. We gave him time after his win at Ascot and he’s back to his best form and ready to take his chance. He’s ready for the next level and we’ll see where we stand.

“The opposition is very strong, but I think York will suit him as it’s a big, galloping track with a long straight compared to somewhere like Deauville.

Francis-Henri Graffard
Francis-Henri Graffard has enjoyed Group race success in England this season (John Walton/PA)

“He was very difficult as a two-year-old and we were struggling to get the best out of him, so we had no choice (to geld him), but he’s a completely different horse now.”

Zarakem is another French raider, with trainer Jerome Reynier seeing the race as the perfect preparation for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe later in the year.

The four-year-old disappointed on his first attempt at Group One level in the Prix Ganay, but it was a different story in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes when only beaten three-quarters of a length in second by Auguste Rodin at 33-1.

Jerome Reynier
Jerome Reynier will bring Zarakem across the English Channel (Andrew Matthews/PA)

“They are talking about the hottest race of the year. We are not very far from it. It is going to be a very strong test,” Reynier said.

“Obviously, he ran a really good race at Royal Ascot and he showed he was able to deal with the fast ground at the highest level. We are going to wait at the back for some pace and hopefully we will be finishing as fast as the other day.

“It was a long trip (to Ascot) and he had to recover from it. He looks amazing and he’s been training very well. We are really looking forward to seeing him again in England and his final target will be the Arc in early October and we thought this was the perfect race to use as a trial.

“We are going to try our best to be the most competitive we can. There’s a long straight and he’s been handling Longchamp heavy ground and fast ground at Ascot, so he’s shown he’s very versatile and there shouldn’t be any issue with the racetrack.”

Ghostwriter winning the Royal Lodge Stakes last year
Ghostwriter winning the Royal Lodge Stakes last year (Tim Goode/PA)

Clive Cox is confident of a strong run from Eclipse third Ghostwriter, despite a less than ideal draw.

Cox said: “As we expected, it is one of the most competitive races of the year. It was always going to be highly competitive and we’re really looking forward to it.

“He ran really well at Sandown and the form has been franked with the second horse winning in Germany (Al Riffa in the Grosser Preis von Berlin), so we’re happy. I would have chosen a different draw (13) given a choice, but I’m very happy that we’re going there in good form.

“We’re looking forward to this week and that will guide us accordingly (for future plans this season). We’d prefer a drier build-up than a wet one.”

Durezza is another from overseas taking his chance, with the Japanese St Leger winner making his UK debut.

“He has won the Japanese St Leger, but his other four wins have been around 10 furlongs,” said Yusuke Sai, racing manager for Japan’s Northern Farm, who bred the international contender.

“He is not a thorough stayer, he has a bit of class. He can stay, but we think 10 furlongs to a mile and a half is his best distance.”

Alflaila
Alflaila has won three times at Group level at York (Mike Egerton/PA)

The Owen Burrows-trained Alflaila is a course specialist, having won the Group Three Strensall Stakes and Group Two York Stakes twice.

Angus Gold, racing manager for owners Shadwell, said: “He’s another older horse, he’s there to try to win what he can, we are taking on the very best so nobody’s saying he’s going to go and win it.

“But I’m sure if he runs his race he’ll be there or thereabouts. He’s got a great mind on him, lovely attitude and loves his work.

“Our horse is a regular Group Two verging Group One class and who knows, he might not be good enough, that’s fine, but I’m sure he will be give a good account of himself.”

Maljoom (right) chases home Notable Speech (left) at Goodwood
Maljoom (right) chases home Notable Speech (left) at Goodwood (Andrew Matthews/PA)

William Haggas’ Maljoom ran a big race when second to Notable Speech in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood and jockey Tom Marquand believes he will handle the step up in trip.

He said: “It was a massive run at Goodwood, where he was second to a Guineas winner and an exceptional horse, and everyone was in agreement afterwards that the step up to a mile and a quarter would help him and was the next logical step.”

Israr steps up to Group One level after winning the Listed Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot and Richard Hills, assistant racing manager for Shadwell, said: “He’s in there on his own merits.

“Sheikha Hissa took the view that he deserves his chance. He loves fast ground; York will suit him really well and I think he’ll run a big race. He’s in good nick.”



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Officials at York looking forward to star-studded start of Ebor meeting

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William Derby declared himself delighted at the prospect of what looks the race of the season for the richest-ever Juddmonte International at York on Wednesday.

York’s chief executive and clerk of the course believes the track has been rewarded for a 25 per-cent increase in prize-money by a field not just strong in numbers, but in quality, too.

A total of 13 will go to post which includes the Aidan O’Brien’s Derby and Eclipse winner City Of Troy, the best middle-distance filly in training in Bluestocking, who is owned by the sponsors, two top-class runners from France and the Japanese St Leger winner.

Throw in the current ante-post joint-favourites for the Derby clashing in Ruling Court and The Lion In Winter in the Tattersalls Acomb Stakes and Irish Derby winner Los Angeles in the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur, and the meeting will get off on a footing akin to the Cheltenham Festival and Royal Ascot’s opening days.

Derby said: “We are delighted. We’ll see whether it is the race of the season at the end of the season, but we couldn’t be more thrilled with the field.

“We’ve worked out it’s a record level of declarations since it’s been run in 1972 and obviously with an international field as well it looks a stellar renewal and I’m really interested to see who wins.

“You’ve got the three-year-old generation well represented, course form, the Derby winner, both sexes with Bluestocking there so everything is crossing.

“It’s the richest race we’ve ever staged and to be rewarded for Juddmonte’s support and York’s executive committee with such a line-up is what every race fan wants to see.”

Derby is also excited at the strength of the undercard.

Ruling Court is already favourite for the Guineas and the Derby and runs in the Acomb Stakes
Ruling Court is already favourite for the Guineas and the Derby and runs in the Acomb Stakes (Andrew Matthews/PA)

“We’re thrilled with the Tattersalls Acomb. Without getting too technical the (win) restriction that was on the Acomb has been lifted and as a result it has drawn a high-quality field of 11. It is the richest juvenile race in the country.

“Also, for the first time ever it is a win-and-you’re-in for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Mile at Del Mar so we’re thrilled that it has been rewarded.

“We were over at Ballydoyle about 10 days and Aidan was considering running Los Angeles in the Great Voltigeur then so to see the Irish Derby winner in the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur is brilliant and he will be hoping he can follow in the hoofprints of Continuous who went on the win the St Leger.

“I know they think a lot of King’s Gambit (Harry Charlton) and his run in the York Stakes against Alflaila looks great form.

“It’s fantastic racing all round on Wednesday, it’s the richest race day we’ve ever staged, as well as the richest race, so hopefully all race fans will either be here or be watching on TV – because of Durezza’s participation the race is also being shown live in Japan.”



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Bin Suroor still cherishes York stars Halling and Sakhee

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Some trainers are lucky enough to cast their minds back to the day when they won a highly prestigious race such as the Juddmonte International and remember it with pride.

Saeed bin Suroor, on the other hand, is in the enviable position that he is unable to choose his own favourite winner of the race.

In a way, it is like asking a parent to pick a favourite child, as that is how attached trainers become to their horses – especially the very good ones.

Bin Suroor has won the York highlight four times, most recently with the admirable Sulamani 20 years ago. But it is Halling and Sakhee who he struggles to separate.

While Sakhee’s seven-length victory in 2001 was the more eyecatching display, Halling won it back-to-back in 1995 and 1996, the very early days of the Godolphin operation.

“Both Sakhee and Halling were very good horses,” said Bin Suroor.

“Sakhee, at the time of the year, was in excellent shape. I was very happy with him going into York before the race.

“I knew he was doing really, really good and it would take a special performance from something else to beat him. He won the race well.”

The significance of Halling’s performances throughout 1995 and 1996 has never been lost on the former policeman, though.

He said: “Halling is a very special horse for Godolphin, he did a lot for us in the early days to put us on the map.

Halling strides out in style to win the Juddmonte International
Halling strides out in style to win the Juddmonte International (PA)

“Obviously, it was very early for us then and Halling came to us at a time when we were only interested in the best horses – and he was one of those. He was a very good horse and had no trouble winning it either time.

“Sakhee was second in the Derby for John Dunlop, so we knew he was good, but he won the Juddmonte by seven lengths and then we ran him in the Arc and he won that by six lengths.

“We took him over to America then for the Breeders’ Cup Classic and we thought he had won, but he lost by a nose to Tiznow.

“He was a big, strong horse and he was always one of the best work horses, the good horses tend to be – he always wanted to show how good he was.”

Frankie Dettori leaps off Sakhee after winning the Juddmonte International
Frankie Dettori leaps off Sakhee after winning the Juddmonte International (John Giles/PA)

Halling spent his early days in Newmarket with John Gosden, and must have been something of a certainty when he ran in the Cambridgeshire off a mark of 93.

“Halling won the Cambridgeshire for John Gosden, then when he came to us, he won five Group Ones,” said Bin Suroor.

“We tried him on the dirt as well, but he didn’t like it. We tried him in a Breeders’ Cup Classic and a World Cup, but he was not good on dirt.

“He was also a nice stallion, he produced some very good horses like Cavalryman, Norse Dancer and Jack Hobbs.”

Sulamani holds off Norse Dancer to win the Juddmonte, ironically a son of Halling
Sulamani holds off Norse Dancer to win the Juddmonte, ironically beating a son of Halling (Gareth Copley/PA)

Sulamani’s story was slightly different, having won the French Derby for Pascal Bary.

Bin Suroor said: “Sulamani came to me from France, he’d already won the French Derby. He was a great horse to travel with, we took him all over the world.

“He actually beat Norse Dancer at York, but he also won a Canadian International, an Arlington Million and a Sheema Classic.

“He sired some very good jump horses; Honeysuckle and a Grand National winner (Rule The World).

“He was five when he won it, but I am very patient with the horses, look at African Story and Prince Bishop, they won the Dubai World Cup when they were seven and eight (respectively).

“When you have the horse, you have to give them a chance. I know some people want everything now, but the longer you give them, the better they are.”



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City Of Troy to face stellar line-up in Juddmonte International

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City Of Troy will face 12 rivals as he bids for more Group One glory in the Juddmonte International at York on Wednesday.

The Derby and Eclipse winner is set for a tough examination in a high-class field on the Knavesmire.

Stablemate Hans Andersen will also represent Ballydoyle maestro Aidan O’Brien, but plenty of other trainers are prepared to take the hot favourite on.

Derby runner-up Ambiente Friendly will drop down to 10 furlongs, while Clive Cox’s Ghostwriter will also renew his rivalry with City Of Troy after only being beaten two lengths by O’Brien’s charge at Sandown.

Francis-Henri Graffard’s impressive King Edward VII Stakes winner Calandagan leads the French challenge, with Jerome Reynier’s Zarakem also making the trip across the English Channel.

Japanese St Leger winner Durezza will make his UK debut and Bluestocking is the only filly in the race for the sponsors.

Ralph Beckett’s charge has really come of age as a four-year-old, winning the Middleton Stakes at this venue by six lengths before opening her account at Group One level in the Pretty Polly and then chasing home Goliath in the King George.

Beckett said: “It wasn’t really a difficult decision. The owners (Juddmonte) were keen and I didn’t have a problem with it. There’s a drop of rain forecast in the next 48 hours and it all made sense.

“She was good over a mile and a quarter at the Curragh, so there are no concerns there, and she has good course and distance form before that.

“She’s got a little bit to find but not a lot, and she was only 20-1 over the weekend because of the doubt about her running. We are looking forward to it.”

Owen Burrows’ Alflaila is a York specialist, having already won the Strensall Stakes and the York Stakes twice at the course.

Maljoom, Israr, Docklands and Royal Rhyme complete the line-up.

White Birch, who impressively beat Auguste Rodin when last seen in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh, did not take up his engagement, with the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown now the likely target.

Ruling Court and The Lion In Winter, ante-post favourites for next year’s Derby, will both bid to maintain perfect records in the Tattersalls Acomb Stakes in a field of 11.



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From Roberto to Sea The Stars, the giants that have done the Derby-York double

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City Of Troy will on Wednesday attempt to become the sixth horse to follow up Derby success at Epsom by landing York’s Juddmonte International in the same season. It is a decade since that famous double was last achieved and here we take a look back at all of the past examples:

Australia (2014)

Horse Racing – 2014 Welcome To Yorkshire Ebor Festival – Juddmonte Interntional Day – York Racecourse
Australia ridden by Joseph O’Brien wins the Juddmonte International (Anna Gowthorpe/PA).

Aidan O’Brien and son Joseph teamed up to claim Classic glory when this beautifully-bred son of Galileo and Ouija Board breezed past Kingston Hill at Epsom and then hacked up at long odds-on in the Irish equivalent. Dropping back down in distance at York, Australia powered to the front approaching the furlong pole and comfortably held off The Grey Gatsby to prevail by two lengths. Owner Michael Tabor said: “You go for a Derby because there’s nothing like a Derby, but the truth of the matter is taking him to a mile and a quarter shows the speed he’s got!”

Sea The Stars (2009)

Horse Racing – Ebor Festival – Juddmonte International Day – York Racecourse
Sea The Stars ridden by Mick Kinane (centre) beats Mastercraftsman (Anna Gowthorpe/PA).

The John Oxx-trained superstar took a similar route to the Knavesmire as City Of Troy has, only he did the business in the 2000 Guineas before also claiming a classy Derby triumph and then digging deep to see off Rip Van Winkle in the Eclipse at Sandown. At York, Sea The Stars scared off all but three Ballydoyle opponents – outstaying main rival Mastercraftsman and two rank outsiders. Jockey Mick Kinane beamed: “The last couple of years, I have been searching for a good horse, and then suddenly a great one comes along in the twilight of my life, and it is a privilege. He is the best horse I have ridden, and I have ridden some great ones.”

Authorized (2007)

Horse Racing – Ebor Festival – Juddmonte International Day – York Racecourse
Authorized and Frankie Dettori (left) beat Dylan Thomas (John Giles/PA).

After romping home by five lengths to give Frankie Dettori an elusive first Derby win, Peter Chapple-Hyam’s charge suffered a surprise defeat in the Eclipse but then bounced back to top form when getting the better of Dylan Thomas at York, where he had previously been ultra-impressive in the Dante. “Epsom meant everything, but that was for me. This was for Authorized and I was so pleased for him,” said Chapple-Hyam. “It seems that in this country people like to knock winners – not just horses, but our top sportsmen. People have knocked Authorized, so he had to prove himself and he did.”

Troy (1979)

Troy who won the 200th Derby Stakes
Troy and Willie Carson (PA).

Willie Carson’s faith in Troy was rewarded when he stormed to a spectacular seven-length triumph in the Derby, despite being only the third-favourite behind better-fancied stablemate Milford. Another convincing victory in the Irish equivalent followed and Dick Hern’s colt also picked up a more workmanlike win in Ascot’s King George before heading to the Knavesmire. In a race then titled the Benson & Hedges Gold Cup, Troy appeared to have plenty to do when well adrift of Lyphard’s Wish and Crimson Beau in the home straight, but ultimately stayed on strongly to secure a cosy success.

Roberto (1972)

Horse Racing – Benson and Hedges Gold Cup – York Racecourse
Roberto, ridden by Braulio Baeza, wins the Benson & Hedges Gold Cup at York (PA).

Vincent O’Brien’s colt just edged out future Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Rheingold in a ding-dong battle at Epsom, but was subsequently well beaten in the Irish Derby and Lester Piggott deserted him to ride Rheingold in their York rematch, the inaugural running of this race. That left his American owners to bring in Panamanian-born US Hall of Fame jockey Braulio Baeza, who set a strong gallop. Rheingold struggled with the scorching pace, but Roberto still had to fend off the challenge of the previously unbeaten Brigadier Gerard before going on to win by three lengths. It was to be the great Brigadier Gerard’s only defeat in 18 career starts.



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‘Beautiful’ Nayef is still the apple of Marcus Tregoning’s eye

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Marcus Tregoning may have won the Derby, but one horse with whom he is indelibly linked is 2002 Juddmonte International winner Nayef.

Having learned his trade under the great Major Dick Hern and been his assistant when Nashwan won the Guineas, Derby, Eclipse and King George in 1989, Tregoning was pinching himself at the chance to train his half-brother.

And it started well, a debut victory in the Haynes, Hanson & Clark Conditions race at Newbury was followed by a romp in the Autumn Stakes, just like his sibling, and the bookmakers were running scared with the following year’s Classics in mind.

As with so many, the timing of the Guineas caught him out and he was only eighth to Golan. But halfway through the season he came good, winning three Group Threes before a first Group One at Newmarket.

“As a younger horse, I was trying to do the same thing with him as we’d done with Nashwan, but I started Nayef in a Conditions race rather than a maiden and then he went and won the Autumn Stakes on bottomless ground,” remembers Tregoning, whose Sir Percy took the premier Classic in 2006.

Marcus Tregoning has a soft spot for Nayef
Marcus Tregoning has a soft spot for Nayef (Dan Abraham/PA)

“He was favourite for everything through the winter, but unfortunately in the spring, he just went a bit weak on us. He was a big horse and didn’t come to himself.

“Thank goodness, he got it right towards the end of the year and won the Champion Stakes, so it was justified giving him the time. He probably wouldn’t have won that Derby anyway, as it was Galileo’s year.”

His four-year-old season was due to commence with an audacious crack at the Dubai World Cup – and being by American sire Gulch, the promise of switching to dirt held no fears for his trainer.

He would leave Dubai a winner, and considerably richer, but Tregoning was left wondering what might have been.

He said: “Ironically, I think he was the best I ever had him when we were training him for the Dubai World Cup in 2002.

“For some reason, we got rerouted to the Sheema Classic, which he won – Sheikh Hamdan already had Sakhee for the World Cup, you see.

Golan (left) and Nayef battle it out in the King George. Revenge was sweet at York
Golan (left) and Nayef battle it out in the King George. Revenge was sweet at York (Tony Harris/PA)

“In our opinion, at the time, he’d have won any World Cup, as he was absolutely flying on the dirt, he’d adapted to it really well.

“I was very lucky to train him, he was the best horse in Dubai that year and won the Sheema Classic very easily, but that was our big chance on the dirt.

“He did win plenty of good races over a mile and a half, but there are people who think a strong-run 10 furlongs was his best trip. The same could be said of his half-brother, Nashwan, who was by Blushing Groom, his best trip was a mile and a quarter.”

It took Nayef a couple of outings to get back to his very best again after Dubai, like with so many others, but by the time of the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes, he was right back on top form, and Tregoning still rankles at only picking up silver.

“Obviously, I remember the King George very well, because if you remember, Golan got up our inside and he shouldn’t have got beat that day really, but that is the way it happens,” said Tregoning.

That made victory at York all the more sweeter, as the pair met again on the Knavesmire arguably over Nayef’s favourite distance.

Nayef hit the front a long way from home under Richard Hills, tracked by Kieren Fallon on Golan. They battled all the way up the last two furlongs, but Nayef held firm.

“He went into the York race in top, top order and he went and won it well. He was a very sound horse and a very good one, obviously,” said Tregoning.

“He was a very laid-back horse, as was Nashwan, who Dick Hern kept having to take away to wake him up, as I was there when he was in the mix.

“Nayef was such a beautiful horse, even now at his ripe old age (26), he looks magnificent at Shadwell. He was so sound, the soundest I ever trained. I’ve seen him fairly recently and I couldn’t believe how well he looked.

“Sheikh Hamdan was a very patient owner, which always helps. Remember a horse like Mubtaker, an entire who was still winning Group races when he was nine. That can’t have been done before. He just loved those older horses.

“It would have been very easy for him to send Nayef to stud having won the Juddmonte, but we got another year out of him. What he realised was that it is very difficult to get a good horse, you only get them now and again.

“Nayef was just so versatile; any ground, on dirt, I’ve never had a sounder horse and he won the Prince of Wales’s at five.

“The York race was fascinating, though, because I think Kieren at his best was one of the best jockeys we’ve ever seen, a great horseman – and he got horses so well balanced. I think on that day, Richard was just on the better horse.”



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Lemaire banking on Durezza’s stamina coming to the fore

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Christophe Lemaire believes the long home straight at York will play to the strengths of Durezza, his Japanese-trained mount in an intriguing renewal of the Juddmonte International next week.

Lemaire used to be a far more frequent visitor to the UK due to a successful link-up early in his career with Luca Cumani, but he is no stranger to York, winning the Yorkshire Oaks on Alain de Royer-Dupre’s Shareta in 2012.

Few jockeys on the world stage can match Lemaire’s list of achievements. The Frenchman has won the Prix du Jockey Club, Prix de Diane and Poule d’Essai des Pouliches in his homeland, among many other Group Ones.

In the UK, he has won both Guineas, the Champion Stakes and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, while Hong Kong Cup and Melbourne Cup triumphs also feature on his CV.

After being a fleeting visitor to Japan, winning several of their biggest races, he moved full time to that country in 2015 and his success has been dominant.

He won the Kikuka-Sho, the Japanese St Leger, on Durezza last year and feels that the stamina his mount possesses could come into play against a talented field, although he is well aware of the standard of opposition he is facing.

“Durezza is a horse that gradually steps up his game, and his strengths lie in his stamina. York Racecourse is relatively flat, with a long straight, so I think he’ll be able to fully demonstrate his abilities,” said Lemaire on www.c-lemaire.co.jp.

“I’ve been checking the training footage since he moved to the UK. I saw him being trained on Warren Hill, a famous hill gallop. I’m also keeping an eye on the weather forecast, but fortunately there’s no rain in the forecast, so the ideal situation would be to race on a good track.

“The strong European horses will be there, and we are preparing for the race by studying the opposing horses using replays and other methods.

“Several horses from the (Aidan) O’Brien stable are also scheduled to run, so we will pay attention to the tactics of the race, which are different from those in Japan.”



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All-star cast poised to take on City Of Troy at York next week

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City Of Troy is among of bumper field of 16 confirmations for what looks like being the race of the season in the Juddmonte International at York on Wednesday.

Aidan O’Brien’s Derby and Eclipse winner will face his toughest test to date against some new rivals from the Classic generation and a high-class field of older horses. O’Brien has also left in Continuous, Hans Andersen and Los Angeles.

There is a strong challenge from France in Calandagan, who was so impressive at Royal Ascot for Francis-Henri Graffard, and the Jerome Reynier-trained Zarakem, runner-up in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes.

Durezza, the Japanese St Leger winner, will attempt to avenge Zenno Rob Roy’s narrow defeat in 2005.

Top filly Bluestocking is still a possible for the sponsors, while Derby runner-up Ambiente Friendly looks sure to be suited by the drop in trip for James Fanshawe.

Owen Burrows’ Alflaila has won three Group races already at York and rates a danger, as does Clive Cox’s Ghostwriter, not far behind City Of Troy in the Eclipse.

Top-quality horses such as Maljoom, Israr, Docklands and Royal Rhyme are available at big prices, indicating just how strong the contest is shaping up to be.

And further strength could be added by White Birch, who faces a key gallop on Friday which will determine whether or not he lines up.

The four-year-old has not been seen since lowering the colours of Auguste Rodin in the Tattersalls Gold Cup in May. He was a late absentee from the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot due to an unsatisfactory blood test result and also missed the Eclipse having failed to fully recover.

“He’s in very good form. He’s due to have a piece of work tomorrow, Colin Keane will ride him and we’ll have a chat with the owners after that and make a decision whether he goes to York or whether he goes straight to the Irish Champion Stakes,” said George Murphy, assistant trainer to his father, John, on the Nick Luck Daily Podcast.

White Birch left Auguste Rodin toiling at the Curragh
White Birch left Auguste Rodin toiling at the Curragh (Healy Racing)

“Tomorrow or the next day we’ll know what way we are going.

“There are a few other races we are thinking about so it’s a final decision on what way we map out his summer and autumn campaign. He’s in super form, he had a little bit of a break and seems to have done very well so fingers crossed all goes well over the next few days.

“He had three races very close to one another, so it was probably no harm (having a break). You can’t keep going all year and there are some exciting races towards the end of the year we are very focussed on.

“The Arc is definitely still an option and it’s fairly high up on the list, but there’s the Irish Champion Stakes, the Arc and the English Champion Stakes as well so there’s plenty of options.

“We’ll know a little bit more in the coming few days. He’s in good shape and whatever will be will be.”



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Alflaila should be favoured by Juddmonte International set-up

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Alflaila is on course to return to his favourite track in the Juddmonte International at York.

The Owen Burrows-trained five-year-old, who is owned and was bred by Shadwell, has run on the Knavesmire four times and won on the last three of those occasions.

He has a Strensall Stakes victory to his name, along with two triumphs in the Group Two York Stakes, the most recent of which was his last outing, when he was successful by half a length in a slowly-run contest.

That win was the seventh of his career, which has been stalled by injury before now but which he will aim to take to new heights in what is shaping up to a top-class renewal of Group One showpiece.

“He’s on track for York, he’s very well and is such a good-looking horse,” said Burrows.

“He’s a horse that hadn’t run for such a long time at the start of the season, Jim (Crowley) mentioned that he might just come forward for that run at York.

“It was very tactical, so I felt he did well to win, the Juddmonte is shaping up as a race that should be run at a good gallop and that will suit him.

“York suits him too, that nice long straight just lets him find his pace, because nothing’s instant with him.

“He does take a bit of time to pick up, but he’s a very honest horse and he always hits the line very strong.”



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‘Everyone is so happy with him’ – Ambiente Friendly team counting down to York

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It is “all systems go” for Ambiente Friendly, as he limbers up to take his place in an all-star cast for the Juddmonte International at York next week.

James Fanshawe’s three-year-old son of Gleneagles won the Lingfield Derby Trial by four and a half lengths in May and was launched into the Epsom picture as a result.

Under Robert Havlin he was a 9-2 chance for the premier Classic and though it was Aidan O’Brien’s City Of Troy who prevailed, Ambiente Friendly was an excellent runner-up behind him.

At the Curragh in late June he lined up for the Irish Derby and was this time the favourite, with this third-placed performance pleasing connections but also causing them to ponder a step down in trip.

As a result he skipped the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes over a mile and a half and heads to York a fresh horse ready to take on City Of Troy again, this time over a mile and a quarter.

Ambiente Friendly and Robert Havlin finished second in the Derby
Ambiente Friendly and Robert Havlin finished second in the Derby (PA)

Under Havlin the colt did a piece of work on Newmarket’s July course on Tuesday morning and the exercise was just what his connections were hoping for ahead of his trip to Yorkshire.

Tim Gredley, whose family own the horse, said: “He did a bit of work on the July course this morning and Rab said he couldn’t have gone better.

“I think a flat track and a left-handed mile and a quarter could be ideal, obviously there are a couple of horses in there that are very, very good, but having spoken to both the trainer and the jockey he couldn’t be in a better place.

“I’m not going to sit here and say we are going to win it because it’s the Juddmonte International, it’s a very prestigious race, but everyone is so happy with him – they couldn’t be happier.”

Ambiente Friendly has always been spoken of as a work in progress and Gredley is hopeful he will continue to improve through the rest of the term and into his four-year-old season in a similar manner to Charyn, Roger Varian’s dual Group One-winner who has seemed to really peak this season.

He said: “We gave him a little break and we decided to miss the King George. Every time we see him he seems to improve in a different way mentally and physically

“Rab said this morning that he’s so much more relaxed than he was three months ago. When they’re improving every time you’re running them rather than regressing, it is very exciting.

“We’re lucky that, all being well, we can keep him in training for next year at least. Tom (Fanshawe, son and assistant to James) especially has always maintained that physically he’s still not quite there and when you look at the likes of Roger Varian’s horse, that improvement from three to four can happen.

“We’re all dreamers of course, but it can happen. That’s not to say we can’t win the Juddmonte, everybody’s really happy with him, we’re all pleased we gave him a little break rather than go to the King George and it’s all systems go.”



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Cox wants dry spell ahead of Ghostwriter’s International bid

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Clive Cox’s Ghostwriter is gearing up to take to the Knavesmire in the Juddmonte International at York.

The Invincible Spirit colt was unbeaten at two and followed up on that promise when fourth in the 2000 Guineas on his first start as a three-year-old.

Fourth also in the Prix du Jockey Club, France’s answer to the Derby, the bay then took his chance in the Coral-Eclipse and ran a fine race to finish third behind City Of Troy when beaten two lengths.

Al Riffa was the other horse ahead of him, a subsequent German Group One winner, and Ghostwriter will be tested again at the same level when he lines up for the Juddmonte International next week.

“I think we were close enough last time that it keeps us hopeful that we can run a similar sort of contest,” said Cox.

Cambridgeshire Meeting – Day Three – Newmarket Racecourse
Ghostwriter winning the Royal Lodge last year (Tim Goode/PA)

“The rain that fell the night before at Sandown would’ve taken a little bit of impact from our performance, so I hope that we can look forward to coming up to York on some nice ground.

“He’s a horse that we’ve been pleased with his progress. Unbeaten at two and so far this year he has run with huge credit.

“Stepping up to a mile and a quarter, he ran very well in the Eclipse against City Of Troy and also Al Riffa, who franked the form yesterday with his Group One success in Germany.

“We bring a good level of form and we’re very much hoping the ground remains drier rather than wetter from his point of view. I’m happy he’s had a good timeframe from his last run to here and he continues to please me with his development, progress and work at home.

“He’s in really good order – I’m very happy. We know him really well now and he’s the sort of horse that we have a great routine at home with. Hopefully, that will see him come up to York in good form.”

Betfred Temple Stakes Day – Haydock Park Racecourse – Saturday 25th May
Kerdos after winning the Temple Stakes (Nigel French/PA)

Cox may also be represented in the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes on the Friday of the meeting, as Kerdos could line up in the five-furlong Group One.

The horse was fifth behind Big Evs in the King George Qatar Stakes, beaten two lengths, when last seen but will conversely need cut in the ground if he is to take his chance in the Nunthorpe.

Cox said: “He’s a sprinter that’s building in strength and confidence as we go forward. After winning the Temple earlier in the year, I’m absolutely certain he’s going to continue that winning trail before too long.

“He ran really well at Goodwood, especially as he shouldered a Group Two penalty. We were very pleased with that performance. He’s come out of the race in very good order.

“The ground was quick enough for him at Goodwood and we are not a definite runner yet (at York). We will be watching the forecast. Hopefully we’re getting drier ground for Ghostwriter – we would appreciate any rain for Kerdos.”



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Zarakem has sights set on York before Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe bid

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Jerome Reynier has described Zarakem as “better than ever” ahead of a pre-Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe trip to York next month.

The four-year-old was last seen chasing home Auguste Rodin in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot, going down by just three-quarters of a length with a quality field behind him.

Prior to that he had shown plenty of ability in his native France, winning the Group Two Prix d’Harcourt at ParisLongchamp before a rare blip in the Prix Ganay at the same track.

That run was put well behind him at the Royal meeting and now he has another British Group One in his sights in the shape of the Juddmonte International at York’s Ebor meeting.

The race is an intended stepping-stone en route to arguably the most coveted middle-distance prize on the calendar.

Zarakem has taken his travels well and has pleased his trainer ahead of another journey across the Channel, after which he will focus on Paris in the autumn.

“I’m very happy with him, he came back in very good shape after Royal Ascot,” the trainer said.

“He is getting more mature and stronger and he seems to be better than ever.

“For the Arc we think this race is a good race in between with the timing, it’s going to be a pretty hard race with City Of Troy and Calandagan.

“There are a few very good horses in there but he’s done it so well at Royal Ascot, we just have to forget about the Prix Ganay where he was ridden too offensively.

“I’m very happy and we are really looking forward to seeing him again at the highest level.”



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Gredleys determined to enjoy Ambiente Friendly, with Juddmonte next stop

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The Gredley Family are determined to continue “enjoying the ride” with Ambiente Friendly, as their star colt prepares for a possible rematch with City Of Troy in the Juddmonte International at York.

Little under three lengths separated the pair when Aidan O’Brien’s son of Justify claimed Classic spoils over a mile and a half in the Derby at Epsom, but it will be back at 10 furlongs they will lock horns on the Knavesmire next month.

Ambiente Friendly’s team decided against a clash with City Of Troy in the Coral-Eclipse, with the James Fanshawe-trained colt instead heading to the Curragh for the Irish Derby – where he again placed in a Classic, finishing third to Los Angeles.

With the son of Gleneagles recovering well from his exertions in Ireland and having studied how the action unfolded at Sandown, Tim Gredley is keen to see how the two crack three-year-olds shape up when squaring off on the opening day of the Ebor meeting.

Ambiente Friendly (centre) in action at the Curragh
Ambiente Friendly (centre) in action at the Curragh (Damien Eagers/PA)

He said: “Ambiente Friendly is in good order and the plan is to go for the Juddmonte. He came out of the Irish Derby really well, but he had two hard races in the space of a month and Mr Fanshawe was keen to try a mile and a quarter around a left-handed bend, so the Juddmonte was the obvious race.

“It’s probably more exciting for others than us, because we would probably rather he (City Of Troy) wasn’t there.

“We can’t control who is in the race, but I suppose the one thing we do have in our favour is we are not really ground dependent, unless it came up soft. We wouldn’t be too worried either way.

“We don’t know who is going to turn up on the day, but watching Sandown was interesting and it will be interesting to see them have a match over a mile and a quarter.”

The yellow and black silks of the Gredley family have been carried to big-race success in both codes down the years, and appreciative of just how difficult it can be to acquire high-class talent, the Ambiente Friendly team are keen to enjoy the exciting journey their latest star is taking them on.

That journey could include both a four-year-old campaign and a possible return to 12 furlongs, as connections plot a course to maximise the Lingfield Derby Trial winner’s undoubted ability in the white-hot arena of top-level racing.

“Sometimes you just have to remember how hard it is to get a horse like this and enjoy it,” continued Gredley.

“Everybody has an opinion and that is why we love racing, but at the end of the day we just have to make sure we look after him.

Ambiente Friendly and Robert Havlin finished second in the Derby
Ambiente Friendly and Robert Havlin finished second in the Derby (PA)

“We are trying to campaign him as sparingly as possible because ultimately we want to keep him in training next year. James has always maintained this horse is not yet fully developed, so as long as he stays fit and healthy we can have another campaign with him next year, which is even more exciting.

“It’s been really exciting so far and like any horse they only have a certain amount of racing in them. We want to make sure he has a lengthy career and we’re just really enjoying the ride.”

He went on: “I honestly think he is still a mile-and-a-half horse when he settles, but maybe at the Curragh he just got a bit ‘revvy’ and that paid at the end of the race. Maybe as he gets older and the more racing he has, he will learn to do that on a more regular basis.

“We are where we are and he races as he does at the moment, so going a mile and a quarter around a left-handed bend at York, we’re looking forward to it.”



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York thrilled at prospect of City Of Troy clash with Japanese ace

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York’s chief executive William Derby is fascinated to see how last year’s Japanese St Leger winner Durezza fares against City Of Troy in what promises to be a mouthwatering renewal of the Juddmonte International.

With Aidan O’Brien leaning towards keeping the Derby and Eclipse winner at 10 furlongs, the richest race on the Knavesmire is City Of Troy’s likely port of call on August 21.

But a fascinating new opponent has emerged in the shape of Durezza, who will be ridden by Christophe Lemaire.

“We’re obviously delighted to hear the news from Ballydoyle that City Of Troy is likely to run in the Juddmonte International – obviously there’s a long way to go with horses, but to have Europe’s highest-rated three-year-old being aimed at our flagship race is great,” said Derby.

“We have a record prize fund this year of £1.2million and it’s hugely exciting, it’s looking like an absolute cracker.

“City Of Troy has that mercurial potential to join the likes of Sea The Stars and Frankel, two of the great winners of the race. We all saw what he did in the Betfred Derby, he obviously wasn’t on a going day in the Guineas, but he won the Eclipse like Sea The Stars did ahead of coming to the Knavesmire and it will be fascinating to see how he performs if he comes.

“It has also been confirmed this morning that Durezza, who won the Japanese St Leger last year, is heading our way with Christophe Lemaire due to ride him, so to have the best two jockeys in the world in Christophe and Ryan Moore taking each other on is something very exciting for us and all race fans.”

Derby has been at the helm at York for over 20 years now, and has seen some great renewals of the race.

“My first Juddmonte was 2003, Falbrav won it and then in 2005 Electrocutionist just touched of Zenno Rob Roy, he was the last Grade One winner from Japan we had and Electrocutionist went on to win the Dubai World Cup the following March,” he said.

Electrocutionist (left) just been Japan's Zenno Rob Roy (green hat) in 2005
Electrocutionist (left) just been Japan’s Zenno Rob Roy (green hat) in 2005 (John Giles/PA)

“It was the world’s highest-rated race with Frankel in 2012 and again with Ghaiyyath in 2020 and a top 10 race last year. It’s our flagship race, the best we stage and the richest so we’re delighted City Of Troy and Durezza have it on their radar.

He added: “Ticket sales are good for the Sky Bet Ebor Festival, we’re really looking forward to it. We’re putting finishing touches to our southern end development which was soft launched at the John Smith’s Cup meeting and the feedback was positive.”



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