Juddmonte International Stakes |
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| Group 1, York 15:35 £1,250,000 guaranteed, 3yo plus, 1m 2f 56y, Class 1  |
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The Juddmonte International – already billed as the world’s top-rated race – may have just gained a fresh layer of international intrigue, as Danon Decile, Japan’s Dubai Sheema Classic winner, emerged as a surprise name among 28 entries for York’s flagship contest
A year ago, Danon Decile was flying slightly under the radar. He’d bagged the Japanese Derby, then lost some shine after a subdued sixth in the Japanese St Leger. But his winter campaign hinted at a resurgence – a strong third in the Arima Kinen followed by a Group 2 win set the tone. Then came Dubai, and a breakout moment. Dismissed by many in the market, he swept to glory at Meydan, fending off Calandagan by a length and a quarter, with Rebel’s Romance back in fourth adding even more weight to the form.
If connections do make the trip to the Knavesmire, he may not travel alone – Redentor, winner of the Tenno Sho, could yet join the mission, as the Japanese challenge looks to scale new ground in one of Europe’s premier ten-furlong tests.
York’s chief executive William Derby is already feeling the buzz.
“It’s hugely exciting to have not just one, but potentially two Japanese stars entered,” he said. “I saw Danon Decile in Dubai – he was absolutely devastating that night. He’s now one of the top-rated turf horses in the world.”
The race more than lives up to its lofty billing once again. Last year it was City Of Troy who conquered Calandagan in an edition officially ranked the best on the planet. The winner is now at stud, but the runner-up could be back for Francis-Henri Graffard, who’s also unleashed the talented Daryz – a name already causing ripples among French observers.
John and Thady Gosden hold a typically powerful hand, with the sponsors’ Field Of Gold leading a team that includes Ombudsman, Lead Artist, Detain and the promising Nahraan.
Aidan O’Brien, no stranger to reshaping the narrative on this stage, is armed to the teeth once more. Among his entries: Camille Pissarro, Henri Matisse, Los Angeles, Lambourn, and dual Oaks protagonists Minnie Hauk and Whirl.
Add to that the likes of Ruling Court, the 2000 Guineas hero, alongside Almaqam and Anmaat, and you have the makings of a Juddmonte field bursting at the seams with top-tier middle-distance talent.
“This is our flagship,” Derby added. “It was the Longines best race in the world last year and we want to build on that. With a £1.25 million pot and a potential global cast, this could be a vintage edition.”
Juddmonte International Stakes
(Group 1) (British Champions Series)
£1,250,000 guaranteed, 3yo plus, 1m 2f 56y, Class 1
28 entries
Going:
NO. FORM HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY
1 632-31 Almaqam 4 9-8 Ed Walker
2 151-22 Anmaat 6 7 9-8 Owen Burrows
3 22-221 Calandagan 4 9-8 F-H Graffard
4 395948 Continuous 5 9-8 A P O'Brien
5 163-11 Danon Decile 4 9-8 Shogo Yasuda
6 12-817 Lead Artist 4 9-8 John & Thady Gosden
7 39-115 Los Angeles 4 9-8 A P O'Brien
8 111-21 Ombudsman 6 4 9-8 John & Thady Gosden
9 /82-11 Redentor 4 9-8 Tetsuya Kimura
10 111-24 White Birch 5 9-8 John Joseph Murphy
11 35-513 See The Fire 4 9-5 Andrew Balding
12 21-231 Camille Pissarro 3 9-1 A P O'Brien
13 1111 Daryz 3 9-1 F-H Graffard
14 12-119 Delacroix 3 9-1 A P O'Brien
15 6-1630 Detain 3 9-1 John & Thady Gosden
16 12-99 Expanded 3 9-1 A P O'Brien
17 4-1211 Field Of Gold 3 9-1 John & Thady Gosden
18 51-112 Henri Matisse 3 9-1 A P O'Brien
19 1211-3 Hotazhell 3 9-1 Mrs John Harrington
20 5-2111 Lambourn 3 9-1 A P O'Brien
21 11 Nahraan 3 9-1 John & Thady Gosden
22 13-113 Ruling Court 3 9-1 Charlie Appleby
23 312-15 Stanhope Gardens 3 9-1 Ralph Beckett
24 31-462 Tornado Alert 3 9-1 Saeed bin Suroor
25 2-1241 Trinity College 3 9-1 A P O'Brien
26 155-62 Bedtime Story 3 8-12 A P O'Brien
27 21-11 Minnie Hauk 3 8-12 A P O'Brien
28 1-6121 Whirl 3 8-12 A P O'Brien
