Tag Archive for: York

Rosallion ticking all the boxes ahead of City of York challenge

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Richard Hannon is unconcerned about running Rosallion over seven furlongs for the first time in almost two years in Saturday’s Sky Bet City of York Stakes.

The four-year-old has had to make do with minor honours in each of his three starts this season, with a comeback third in the Lockinge at Newbury followed by narrow defeats in the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot and the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood.

Having missed a planned trip to France for last weekend’s Prix Jacques le Marois due to a bruised foot, Rosallion has been rerouted to the Knavesmire for what will be his first start over seven furlongs since rounding off his juvenile campaign with victory in the 2023 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere.

Hannon said: “I’m very happy with him, it’s a shame he couldn’t go to France, but he was sound as a bell Sunday morning and conveniently this race comes along at the right time.

“It’s back to seven furlongs, but two of his best performances have been at this distance, in the Pat Eddery Stakes at Ascot and Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere.

“He’s drawn out wide, but he’ll be clear of trouble there, hopefully, and he will have a great chance. On ratings he’s the best horse in the race and hopefully he will win.”

A Classic and Royal Ascot winner at three to accompany the top honours achieved in France as a juvenile, the timely upgrading of the City of York to Group One status gives Rosallion the chance to become a winner at the highest level aged two, three and four.

Hannon added: “I don’t think there is anybody who I’ve seen while racing who doesn’t think he deserves another Group One win and he’s been a model of consistency all year. Hopefully he gets his reward for it.

“He’s going to be a stallion and it will make a big difference if he can win a Group One at four. He’s already won three Group Ones and is a gentleman of a horse and fingers crossed he can win on Saturday.”

The Ralph Beckett-trained Qirat only ran in the Sussex Stakes as a pacemaker for red-hot favourite Field Of Gold, but clung on by a neck from Rosallion to cause a 150-1 upset.

He gets the chance to prove that success was no fluke, having been supplemented earlier this week.

Barry Mahon, racing manager for owner-breeders Juddmonte, said: “Seven furlongs, a mile, it all comes alike to him and this race looks a good fit, so we’re looking forward to seeing him run.

“It’s going to be good, fast summer ground which he handles well.

“Obviously the Clipper Handicap was out after Goodwood and with this being the first year of it being a Group One, it’s nice to be able to compete in it.”

Never So Brave has has won two of his three starts since joining Andrew Balding from the retiring Sir Michael Stoute, following up an emphatic Royal Ascot success in the Buckingham Palace Stakes with a Group Two win at the Berkshire track in last month’s Summer Mile.

On dropping back in trip, Balding said: “He looked very good at Ascot over seven furlongs in the Buckingham Palace – he was carrying top-weight and put in a really good performance there.

“I think it comes alike to him. Winning a Group Two at a mile suggests he does stay that as well. As long as we’re in the same form as we were for the last two starts he deserves a crack at this race.”

Maranoa Charlie may be trained in France by Christopher Head but he carries the colours of locally-based owners the Bond family, who snapped him up prior to his close-up second to Woodshauna in the Prix Jean Prat at Deauville.

The Bond Thoroughbred team is led by Charlie Bond, who said: “It’s fantastic to be running in a Group One at York, it’s obviously our local track. It looks like we’ve got a decent draw (stall four) and Christopher is very happy with him, which is the main thing.

“He had good form in France before we bought him, winning three Group Threes, and he ran a fantastic race for us last time.

“We’ll take them all on over this trip, we’re not concerned about the ground and neither is Christopher.”

Other contenders include the William Haggas-trained Lake Forest and Hugo Palmer’s Seagulls Eleven, who gave his owners – which include several Brighton & Hove Albion footballers – a huge thrill when landing the Group Three Thoroughbred Stakes at Goodwood three weeks ago.

Palmer said: “He’s got some very enthusiastic owners and they’re playing with house money – he won more than the supplementary fee at Goodwood. We’re not protecting a stallion career with him so we thought why not have a go.

“When we decided to do it we probably weren’t banking on Rosallion being there, but even still, take him out and I think we’re right there with them in the run.”

Hipop De Loire one of three Ebor chances for Willie Mullins

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Hipop De Loire, Ethical Diamond and Charlus give the all-conquering Willie Mullins a formidable hand in his bid for a third victory in the Sky Bet Ebor at York on Saturday.

The Closutton maestro saddled the mare Sesenta to score in 2009, while high-class dual-purpose performer Absurde also landed Britain’s richest handicap two years ago.

Hipop De Loire (Colin Keane) heads the market, having suffered trouble in running on his way to finishing fifth 12 months ago. He warmed up for his second attempt with a dominant victory over hurdles at Galway.

Patrick Mullins, assistant to his father, said: “Hipop looked very unlucky last year and we’ve planned to get him back here in one piece and in good form.

“He had a good confidence booster in Galway, obviously he’s got plenty of weight (9st 10lb), but it looks like he has everything – he just needs to get the rub of the green he didn’t get last year.”

Ethical Diamond (William Buick) won the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, but does have to contend with an 8lb rise for that emphatic victory, while Charlus (Jamie Spencer) disappointed as a leading fancy for the Copper Horse Stakes at the Royal meeting and was well-held in third in a Galway conditions event.

Ethical Diamond winning the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot
Ethical Diamond winning the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot (David Davies/PA)

Mullins added: “Ethical Diamond is stepping up a little bit in trip, but the whole thing with him is just getting him to settle.

“He’s drawn wide (stall 21) and William will probably have to get him settled and ride a race after that, I’d imagine.

“Charlus had a bad draw in Ascot and ran too keen. We might change tactics with him and we definitely haven’t seen the best of him, but it is going to be a big ask.”

There are plenty of other major contenders from Ireland including Aidan O’Brien’s pair of London City and Queenstown, Joseph O’Brien’s Mr Percy and the Henry de Bromhead-trained Ascending, who has won his last three Flat starts including the Ascot Stakes on his most recent appearance.

French Master after winning the Copper Horse Stakes
French Master after winning the Copper Horse Stakes (John Walton/PA)

The home team is headed by John and Thady Gosden’s French Master, winner of the Copper Horse for the Wathnan Racing team before coming up short in the Goodwood Cup.

Connections are hoping the application of a visor might help raise his game on his return to handicap company, with Wathnan’s racing manager Richard Brown saying: “He’s got a wide draw (stall 22), which I think in a funny way might actually suit him.

“James (Doyle) is unfortunately off, but Rab (Robert Havlin) knows him well and I’m sure he will be able to take his time from that draw back down into a handicap after running in the Group One at Goodwood.

“It was a very big performance when he won at Royal Ascot and big enough that John and Thady were happy to jump him straight up to Group One company. It’s slightly calmer waters, but it’s obviously a hugely competitive race and we’ll need a lot of luck.

“He’s a classy horse though, and we’re still hoping at some stage he will turn into a stakes performer.”

At bigger odds Brian Ellison is hoping for a positive showing from his stable star Onesmoothoperator, who was fourth behind Al Qareem in the Silver Cup at York last month.

Ellison said: “He worked on Tuesday and it was probably as good a piece of work he has done in a while, so hopefully he is peaking just right.

“This has always been the plan after going to Dubai, to give him a couple of runs and come here and he seems to be in great fettle.

“It’s always a hard race, but we’re hopeful.”

James Doyle misses York mounts due to illness

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James Doyle is facing a short spell on the sidelines after being diagnosed with a viral infection.

Wathnan Racing’s retained jockey did not ride at York on Thursday after feeling unwell and will now miss the final two days of the Ebor Festival, with his return to action expected next week.

Doyle said: “I felt unwell during racing on Wednesday, underwent tests on Thursday and have been diagnosed with a viral infection. I have been prescribed antibiotics and have been advised to rest for a few days.

“It’s hugely disappointing to be missing important rides, but I wish the team well and look forward to being back in action shortly.”

Doyle’s rides over the next two days included Night Raider in the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes, with Danny Tudhope now taking the reins, while Robert Havlin will step in to partner French Master in the Sky Bet Ebor on Saturday.

York Eyecatcher America Queen can reign eventually

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America Queen can strike Group-race gold before the season is out judged on a fine effort in the Sky Bet Lowther Stakes at York.

Richard Hughes’ filly made a huge impression when bolting up by 12 lengths on her Haydock debut in early July and with Ryan Moore aboard, she was well fancied as a 5-2 joint-favourite for the Group Two opener on the second day of the Ebor Festival.

After travelling powerfully, the daughter of Havana Grey hit the front heading inside the final furlong before being run down late by her more experienced market rival Royal Fixation. It is surely only a matter of time before America Queen goes one better at this level.

Al Qareem out for another York raid in the Lonsdale Cup

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York regular Al Qareem is ready to go “toe-to-toe” with Gold Cup hero Trawlerman in the Weatherbys Lonsdale Cup as he seeks his third Knavesmire success of the summer.

Only Aidan O’Brien’s Gold Cup runner-up Illinois has been able to stop Karl Burke’s six-year-old in his last four starts and connections are raring to have a crack at John and Thady Gosden’s staying star, who will be out to replicate his Royal Ascot heroics and remain unbeaten on home soil in 2025.

“I did think the race would turn out stronger than it is so I’m pleased to see only six in the field,” said Nick Bradley, managing director of owners Nick Bradley Racing.

Al Qareem in action at York
Al Qareem in action at York (Martin Rickett/PA)

“Trawlerman of course will be hard to beat, he’s drawn four and we’re drawn five. I’m looking forward to seeing who leads and I’m looking forward to hopefully seeing those two go toe-to-toe at the two-furlong pole and may the best horse win.

“He’s got a good course record but I think that’s more because we’ve handpicked those races and he’s run well at places like Ascot and Chester as well, so I don’t think it’s because of the track necessarily.”

A winner of 11 of his 31 career starts, Al Qareem has long been a reliable source of success for his connections and his performance on the Knavesmire could prove key in Bradley hitting some ambitious targets for the current campaign.

He added: “My target for this year is £1.4million in prize-money and 60 winners and I’m thinking if I can be at £1.1million by the end of this month, I will be in good shape.

“If Al Qareem finishes second I think I’ll get there, so I will be relying on him quite a lot and it’s a credit to Karl and his team and the horse himself as we have a standard-bearer who tries so hard every time he lines up.”

Trawlerman is joined in the line-up by Clarehaven stablemate and stalwart of the division Sweet William, with Shackleton the chosen representative of Ballydoyle and Saeed bin Suroor’s Gold Cup third Dubai Future also engaged.

The field is completed by Tom Clover’s Al Nayyir, who was agonisingly denied by Vauban in this 12 months ago and suffered a similar fate at Sandown when last seen in the Esher Stakes.

“We’re really happy with the horse and he looks to have trained nicely since his run at Sandown,” said Clover.

Al Nayyir was second in this race last year (
Al Nayyir was second in this race last year (Mike Egerton/PA)

“I always wonder if this is the time of year he is at his best as he does come to hand a bit, which is encouraging. He looks super in himself and we will keep everything crossed for a big run.

“The only slight niggle for us is the ground and being that little bit older he might not want it this tight, but he has gone very well on it previously and has been working very well.

“It’s obviously going to be a very tall ask and although there are only six runners, it looks deep. But I do think he warrants his place in this field and if the others go really hard, it might set up well for him.”

There is also Group Two action in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes, where Ed Walker’s Do Or Do Not looks to turn some consistent form into a deserved success.

Do Or Do Not (left) has been a model of consistency
Do Or Do Not (left) has been a model of consistency (Joe Giddens/PA)

Second in both the Coventry Stakes and July Stakes before also finishing third in a strong renewal of the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood, he now reverts to six furlongs with first-time cheekpieces in place.

“He’s been a very fun two-year-old and unlucky not to win one, but he’s been aimed high and we’re doing so once again,” said Walker.

“He’s in good form and I don’t see any problem with the drop back to six furlongs. They went very very fast when he couldn’t go with them down the hill in the July Stakes at Newmarket and I think he will be all right and we’re going to run him in cheekpieces.

“He ran really well at Goodwood as well and his form is really rock solid.”

Burke’s dual winner Reciprocated and Declan Carroll’s Thirsk novice scorer Lifeplan are other interesting names among a field of eight.

Minnie Hauk hits another winning note in Yorkshire Oaks

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Minnie Hauk completed an Oaks four-timer with a neat victory in the Pertemps Network Yorkshire Oaks.

One of two runners for Aidan O’Brien in the Group One feature, the daughter of Frankel came into the York Group One with Cheshire, English and Irish renewals on her CV this term and was ridden by Ryan Moore as the 8-15 favourite.

Her stablemate Garden Of Eden set the pace and David O’Meara’s Estrange did ensure the winner had a race, but the triumph was ultimately light work by three and a half lengths on the line.

O’Brien said: “She’s beautiful, she does everything right, she cruises, she’s a lovely mover and obviously the Arc and the Breeders’ Cup Turf, all those races are there for her.

Minnie Hauk adds the Yorkshire Oaks to her haul
Minnie Hauk adds the Yorkshire Oaks to her haul (PA)

“Ryan said the (Breeders’ Cup) Turf, so she’s obviously given him an unbelievable feel. Ryan gave her a class ride, he was very cool on her. She is classy and he gave her a very confident ride.

“It wasn’t going to be a Mickey Mouse race today, they were going to go an even gallop without going crazy. Ryan has always said the stronger the tempo, the better we’re going to see.

“She’s very exciting.”

O’Brien – who saw Delacroix and dual Derby winner Lambourn suffer defeat on Wednesday – went on: “We’ve always felt the better the race the better she’ll be.

“It was good for Ryan, he had a tough day yesterday and things didn’t work out but the professional that he is he didn’t flinch.

“It was a nicely-run race, even though there were only four in it, I think the second is a nice filly, isn’t she.

“She’s won well in the end our filly, she obviously stays very well and always finishes her race off well. She doesn’t kill herself getting there but she’s always finishing.

“She has to be close to the top of our pecking order for the Arc, she’s an improving filly at this time of year.

“She could go to the Breeders’ Cup Turf but also the Arc. Whirl could go with her.

“Whirl could go to the Vermeille or Irish Champion, but there’s a good chance Delacroix goes back to the Irish Champion and if John (Gosden) brings his horse (Ombudsman) it will be great.”

Queen Camilla with the connections of Minnie Hauk
Queen Camilla with the connections of Minnie Hauk (Richard Hauk/PA)

Co-owner Michael Tabor said: “I think she won very comfortably, she’s obviously very good and looking forward maybe she will run in the Arc or the Breeders’ Cup. Hopefully we can keep her in training as a four-year-old and enjoy her.

“There’s no secret to the success. First of all we have a very good trainer but we try to breed the best to the best as we all do, like Godolphin and Juddmonte. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.

“Yesterday was not a disaster, but it was tough. It’s tough when you lose which is why you have to appreciate when you win because it is not easy.

“Minnie Hauk beat Whirl at Epsom and dare I say their next races will be the Arc and the Breeders’ Cup for one or the other and hopefully they’ll have good chances in those races.”

Lady Iman primed for Nunthorpe challenge

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Ger Lyons may have taken some persuading to mount a Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes challenge with Lady Iman, but owner Roger O’Callaghan has always had York’s showpiece sprint circled on his calendar.

It was after the talented daughter of Starman had impressed in her first three outings that O’Callaghan first suggested taking on her elders on the Knavesmire and now with the Group One assignment coming into view, connections are determined to keep their feet firmly on the ground.

O’Callaghan said: “I said to Ger Lyons on June 28 in the parade ring before the race she got beat in that the race for Lady Iman is the Nunthorpe.

“I kind of had it in my head that five furlongs was her bag and then when she went to Goodwood, she proved she’s good at it (in winning the Molecomb Stakes).

“We’re looking forward to it, but we’ve enough going on to keep us busy and most of the time you would think you’ll get beat, don’t you?

“Prepare yourself for the worst and hope for the best is what they say. It’s just nice to be good enough to compete in the race, even if the trainer didn’t really want to and as we’ve said before, we’ll have a go.”

Kingsgate Native was the last two-year-old Nunthorpe winner in 2007 while The Platinum Queen was runner up in 2022, with both horses having been sold by the O’Callaghan family’s Tally-Ho Stud.

O’Callaghan added: “It’s kind of cool to be having a go at the Nunthorpe with Lady Iman and we actually sold Kingsgate Native to Anthony Bromley and John Best at Doncaster, while the last two-year-old to run well in the race was The Platinum Queen and we sold her too, it’s a race we like.”

Asfoora is a seasoned campaigner in Britain now
Asfoora is a seasoned campaigner in Britain now (David Davies/PA)

Australian ace Asfoora finished fourth in the race 12 months ago and is back for another crack after unplaced runs at Royal Ascot and Goodwood so far this summer.

“I think we’re in good shape heading into York and we’ve been happy with her the last few weeks after Goodwood,” said trainer Henry Dwyer.

“I know she didn’t run as well as we had hoped at Goodwood and I think that was more based on the track conditions. We were thinking about scratching there but we knew we needed to run to get her ready for York and she came through it well.

“We thought she was a bit flat after Ascot so had to back off her a little bit heading into Goodwood and then the rain came. She ran and only got beat two and a quarter lengths with things against her but with things in her favour on Friday, I think she will go really well.”

The winner of Asfoora’s last outing in the King George Stakes was John and Sean Quinn’s reopposing Jm Jungle, while second at Goodwood was Jack Davison’s She’s Quality, who has been knocking on the door with regularity this term.

Jm Jungle (centre, green silks) edged out She's Quality at Goodwood
Jm Jungle (centre, green silks) edged out She’s Quality at Goodwood (Andrew Matthews/PA).

“I keep telling myself her turn will come soon and we’ve been working towards this big one and let’s just hope it goes to plan on Friday,” said Davison.

“She’s got tremendous raw speed and it’s going to be fast and furious up the Knavesmire, but we’re really looking forward to it.”

Arizona Blaze, the Commonwealth Cup second who impressed at the Curragh last time, is a third Irish-trained contender for in-form trainer Adrian Murray.

“We couldn’t be happier with the horse he’s in great order and he’s drawn in mid-division so he’ll have options in the race,” he said.

Juddmonte Irish Oaks Weekend – Day One – The Curragh Racecourse
Arizona Blaze (right) scorching to victory at the Curragh (Niall Carson/PA)

“Without doubt he’s ready and he’s done everything well for us up to now. He will have to step up again you would think, but there’s no time like the present. He’s been a star for us and has won well on quick ground in places like the Breeders’ Cup so it’s all systems go.”

Second to Arizona Blaze in the Sapphire Stakes was Mgheera, who excelled earlier in the season and is one of two in the mix for Ed Walker alongside last year’s Lowther Stakes scorer Celandine.

“It looks the perfect set-up for Mgheera and I think she has slightly gone under the radar having only run the once at the Curragh since winning the Temple Stakes,” said Walker. “She will love the fast ground and has been training very well.

“It will be very interesting coming back to five furlongs with Celandine, but I’m looking forward to trying it and I think she will cope with it.”

Course winner Sayidah Dariyan represents Richard Hughes in a race he famously claimed with Oasis Dream and Sole Power as a jockey.

Philip Robinson, racing manager to owner Jaber Abdullah, said: “I’m very keen on her and I love this filly. For me, I think she could end up the best sprinting filly in the country.

“She got the track experience at York last time and we know that will suit and Ryan Moore is on board so she ticks a good few boxes.”

Bullet Point well made in York handicap

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Bullet Point could make a swift return to York on Saturday after stamping his class on Thursday’s £150,000 Clipper Handicap.

A winner at Newcastle and Newmarket in the autumn, the William Haggas-trained four-year-old picked up where he left off when completing his hat-trick at the Craven meeting in April and emerged with plenty of credit when second in the Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot next time.

Having again filled the runner-up spot at the Berkshire track last month, Tom Marquand’s mount was the 15-8 favourite to regain winning ways on the Knavesmire and while he was briefly caught in a pocket, he quickened up smartly once the gap came to win by a length from Cerulean Bay.

Haggas said: “He’s lovely, going round a bend probably helped him and he did that well today.”

Bullet Point has been declared for the Group Three Sky Bet Strensall Stakes this weekend and could well bid for a second win on the Knavesmire before a planned trip across the globe next month.

“He’s declared for the Strensall and we always looked at doing both so we’ll see now. We’ll have a look at him on Saturday morning,” Haggas added.

“He’s going to go into quarantine to go to Australia on September 28 to run in a race called the Five Diamonds (Rosehill, November 8) which is a nine-furlong five-year-old (southern hemisphere) only race.”

Charlotte’s Web (11-4 joint-favourite) shone for Simon and Ed Crisford when taking the British EBF & Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes.

Stepping to a mile and half under Danny Tudhope, the four-year-old travelled patiently before making headway int he final furlongs to score by a head from Crepe Suzette.

Ed Crisford said: “We’re really pleased, she’s taken another step forward.

“We were slightly concerned about the trip because we were stepping up to the mile and a half for the first time, but she travelled super well and came into the race nicely.

“We wanted to take our time today and that’s what Danny did. That last half-furlong you could see her tying up a bit, bit she got away with it.

“There’s no immediate plans, but there should be plenty for her. I think she’d probably like a bit softer ground.”

Andrew Balding’s Stellar Sunrise justified 100-30 favouritism in straightforward fashion in the Mews Hotel Ossett EBF Stallions Nursery Handicap.

The Space Blues colt had beaten the highly regarded Naval Light on his previous outing and thrived for the step up to seven furlongs.

“Andrew has always loved this colt and he won really well at Goodwood. This was always the plan,” said Harry Herbert, representing owners Royal Ascot Racing Club.

“Oisin (Murphy) was so confident this week and said he was probably his best ride of the week so it’s lovely to see him do it.

“I’d imagine we’re looking at black-type races.”

The British EBF Fillies’ Handicap was then claimed by William Knight’s Royal Velvet, who bounced back from a blip last time out with a one-length victory under William Buick at 12-1.

“I don’t know what was up with her at Newmarket the last day,” said the trainer.

“We were scratching our heads, but that was an impressive performance today.

“We’ll probably start looking for some black type, I just don’t want the ground to go for her.”

Song Of The Clyde in tune for another big sales race win for Clive Cox

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Clive Cox ruled the Harry’s Half Million By Goffs at York once again as Song Of The Clyde came out on top.

The Middleham Park Racing-owned colt was ridden by Rossa Ryan and settled into a position at the fore of the 21-strong field in the early stages as a 15-2 shot.

As the race progressed he did not falter, putting his head down to lengthen towards the line and give his stable a third successive win in the richly-endowed sales race.

Cox said: “That was wonderful, what are the odds of winning it three times in a row with 400 horses in the sale each time?

“It’s such a good incentive this race and Harry Beeby was a good friend of mine, but the whole concept of such good prize-money is what is energising it and it’s amazing to get it right with this fella.

“We liked him, he grew an awful lot and had a bit of size and scope as a yearling, but he’s got such a wonderful mind as well and when he won at Chester I was really pleased as he jumped up two gears.

“He ran really well with a penalty at Newbury, the drier ground helped him here and he’s really going forwards in the right direction.”

The trainer’s 2023 winner, Dragon Leader, went on to finish second in the similarly valuable Weatherbys Scientific £300,000 2-Y-O Stakes at Doncaster the following month.

When asked if Song Of The Clyde could follow the same path, Cox added: “He could well do. We’ll see how he comes back, but those sort of prizes are available and he’s well qualified, so I would say that would be a possible target.

“I think he could be a horse that can look forward to a bright future from here – he’s not just about the sales races. We’ve been able to get him here good and sharp and ready to go, but I undoubtedly see him going on as a three-year-old. He’s got size and scope and a wonderful mind.”

Boston Dan filled the runner-up spot, beaten three-quarters of a length, and his trainer Richard Fahey said: “He ran a blinder, we were delighted with him.

“I thought two down we were going to win but obviously the winner just picked up and kept going.

“It was a good result, a great result for the owners. He’s in the sales race at Doncaster and all the others so we’ll see where he ends up.”

Royal Fixation is Lowther queen for Ed Walker

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Royal Fixation sprinted away from the field to land Group Two honours in the Sky Bet Lowther Stakes at York.

Trained by Ed Walker and ridden by William Buick, the 5-2 joint-favourite was settled well off the pace in the six-furlong contest and had plenty of ground to make up as the race began in earnest.

But once Buick got lower in the saddle, Royal Fixation picked up in style to beat market rival America Queen by a length. Staya also made late gains to be beaten a further two lengths in third.

Royal Fixation was going one place than at Newmarket, where she had finished runner-up in the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes on what was just her second career outing.

Walker said: “We’ve always thought a lot of her and she ran a huge race at Newmarket. It’s been a really long six weeks since then, we’ve let her down and had to build her back up and then you start wondering if you’ve got it right or is she too fresh.

“She’s so good, what is exciting is that she still looked a bit green off the bridle, when he first asked her she just wandered around a bit.

“She’ll get further, for sure, but she won’t go to the Fillies’ Mile, I think we’ll go to the Cheveley Park. She’s quick, she’s got loads of speed, she’s got a very fast female line and I think she’d be too keen over a mile at the moment.”

Richard Hughes said of runner-up America Queen: “She can only improve. Ryan (Moore) just had to commit probably 50 yards earlier than he would have liked and you’re there to be shot at on an inexperienced horse, but she’s run a blinder and we can’t ask for more.

“The winner is a good filly and they opened up on the field, which is good. I’m gutted, but pleased.”

He added: “The Cheveley Park has always been in my mind, so we’ll have a little think about it. She’ll definitely be running again before that, but where we’re not sure yet. It was all about today first.”

George Scott was also pleased with the effort of third home Staya, saying: “She ran a really nice race. They raced on the far side and it got very tight and didn’t go to plan at all, but she’s run with great credit again and she’s probably well capable of going one or two better in this grade in the future.

“It just didn’t happen or pan out for us today. She picked up well, but it was too late – it was just the way the race worked out. It was a bit of an unsatisfactory race for us and it’s a little bit frustrating, but the winner has won well and well done to them.

“You’d love to have another run before the Cheveley Park, but we’ll see how she is.”

Andre Fabre delighted by Birr Castle’s pacemaking turn

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Andre Fabre felt the front-running performance of Birr Castle “added some spice” to proceedings in the Juddmonte International at York on Wednesday.

The master French trainer provided the five-year-old as a pacemaker for favourite and eventual winner Ombudsman, trained by John and Thady Gosden but in the same Godolphin ownership.

Ridden by Robert Havlin, Birr Castle had them all on the stretch and at one stage held a huge advantage.

Hot on the heels of 150-1 chance Qirat winning the Sussex Stakes, another huge shock briefly looked on the cards before he began to tire but to his credit he held on for third place, only beaten by the front two in the betting.

“He certainly added a bit of spice to the race! Nobody was expecting such a scenario,” said Fabre.

“He’s not a bad horse. He had a quiet season last year, but he was affected by a virus. He has a good rating, he’s Group-placed.

“It looked like he was 20 lengths clear and he was still a long way in front with two furlongs to run when Robert Havlin went into the middle of the track to let the others through, but they weren’t there.

“If he hadn’t done that he may have been second, but the winner was very impressive. He looks a very nice horse, he quickened so well from what was a slow pace for the rest.”

He went on: “It was just like what happened at Goodwood really, when the pacemaker won the Sussex Stakes. I was talking to John before the race and I said I wouldn’t mind the same result and we nearly got it.

“Everybody was happy in the end – John, myself and Godolphin. It’s just a shame for such a big race it did not attract more runners, that leads to pacemakers. With more runners you wouldn’t need them.

“A good pacemaker is one who if you let him go he is good enough to win it, it happened at Goodwood and nearly happened at York.”

Rosallion heads 11 contenders for City of York title

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Rosallion is set to face 10 rivals in the first renewal of the Sky Bet City of York Stakes since it achieved Group One status.

Richard Hannon’s star miler was bound for the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville last weekend but a bruised foot scuppered that plan and he was redirected to York.

He faces Ralph Beckett’s Qirat, who defeated him by a neck in a surprising renewal of the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood, with Audience entered for John and Thady Gosden after finishing fourth in the race last year.

Never So Brave, winner of the Buckingham Palace Stakes and the Summer Mile at Ascot, is due to run for Andrew Balding, with Christopher Head’s Maranoa Charlie the sole French runner.

William Haggas’ Lake Forest, Stuart Williams’ Quinault, Hugo Palmer’s Seagulls Eleven, Ed Walker’s Ten Bob Tony and Mick Appleby’s Annaf are all in the mix, as is Aidan O’Brien’s Exactly.

The Sky Bet Ebor has attracted two runners from Willie Mullins’ stable in Hipop De Loire and Ethical Diamond, with last year’s winning trainer Henry de Bromhead represented by Ascending as he looks to retain the trophy.

The Gosdens’ French Master, O’Brien’s London City and Roger Varian’s Shadow Dance are among the leading hopes from Flat stables.

In the Group Three Sky Bet Strensall Stakes, it is Harry Charlton’s King’s Gambit who heads the market at present, with the Gosden-trained Bowmark and Ed Dunlop’s Skukuza also popular.

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.”