Juddmonte International Stakes
Group 1, York 15:40 £914,375 added, 3yo plus, 1m 2f 88y, Class 1
Wednesday 19th August 2015

1 Arabian Queen 50/1
2 Golden Horn 4/9F
3 The Grey Gatsby 5/1
NR: Gleneagles (IRE)
7 ran Distances: nk, 3¼l, 1¼l
TIME 2m 9.92s (slow by 2.72s)

Arabian Queen wins the Juddmonte International, getting the better of the unbeaten Golden Horn. What a turn up!

Arabian Queen
© Racehorse Photos

Arabian Queen, a daughter of Dubawi out of dual Lancashire Oaks heroine Barshiba, causes a 50-1 upset.

Silvestre de Sousa, rider of Arabian Queen: “She’s got a big heart. Golden Horn got a little bit ahead of me but she just battled back.”

John Gosden on Golden Horn: "It was the combination of him being too fresh and the ground."

Jeff Smith, winning owner and breeder: "Arabian Queen is all athlete, has a wonderful temperament and loves racing."

Connections of both The Grey Gatsby & Time Test also blamed rain-softened ground for slightly below par performances.

Showing a willing resolve, the 50-1 shot answered everything asked of her by Silvestre de Sousa to claim a shock victory in the Group One event and bring to an end the unbeaten run of John Gosden's Epsom hero.

In a slight change of tactics, the David Elsworth-trained three-year-old was anchored in behind Dick Doughtywylie, pacemaker for Golden Horn, instead of assuming her usual front-running role.

Having raced prominently throughout, Arabian Queen hit the front well over two furlongs out, just as Golden Horn, who was being closely tracked by The Grey Gatsby, began to make his move.

Although Frankie Dettori had to get serious aboard the 4-9 favourite, it looked like he was in line to pick up the Jeff Smith-owned filly.

But as Golden Horn ranged up to Arabian Queen, she was not to be denied, finding just enough to stick her head out in front where it mattered and score by a neck.

Both Dettori and Gosden felt Golden Horn had raced too keenly and found his turn of foot blunted by the ground, which had led to dual 2000 Guineas winner Gleneagles being a withdrawal.

Dettori said: "He was too fresh, having missed the King George. He pulled hard and wasted a lot of energy. He couldn't skip away on that ground like he usually does."

Gosden said: "The pacemaker missed the kick and then he ended up too far clear. Golden Horn was too fresh and keen and he did too much, too early. Frankie found it hard to settle him for the first six furlongs and he gassed himself out.

"He got in front, but I think we know now he's definitely better on faster ground and the filly just outstayed him. It was a real pity it rained and a real pity Gleneagles didn't run.

"You could see he was throwing his head about and he simply burnt too much petrol.

"The filly had run in the Nassau Stakes so take nothing away from her, she's very good.

"In hindsight we may have been better sitting just behind the pacemaker, but hindsight is wonderful. The fact Dick Doughtywylie was still six lengths clear three furlongs out tells you everything.

"We could go on to an Arc trial, but he might have to make his own running there so quicker ground will obviously help."

Juddmonte International Stakes
(Group 1) (British Champions Series)
£914,375 added, 3yo plus, 1m 2f 88y, Class 1
7 ran
Going: Good to Soft