Contenders for the Juddmonte International race, a season standout, are examined; additionally, horse tipster Harry Wilson reveals a potential long-shot bet at 10:1 odds.
Juddmonte International Stakes at York Shapes Up to Be an Exciting Contest
The 2024 Juddmonte International Stakes, a prestigious Group 1 race worth £1.25 million, is set to take place during York's Ebor festival. This year's edition promises to be an exciting contest among proven Group 1 stars and emerging talent.
The leading contenders for the race include Delacroix, Ombudsman, Danon Decile, Daryz, and See The Fire.
Delacroix and Ombudsman are notable for their rematch after finishing first and second in the Eclipse Stakes. Both horses are without York course experience but are highly rated from recent top-level performances. Delacroix, trained by Aidan O'Brien, heads the betting at 6-4 for the Juddmonte International. Ombudsman, trained by John and Thady Gosden, is the second favourite for the race despite finishing second to Delacroix in the Eclipse.
Danon Decile, a Japanese challenger, won the Sheema Classic at Meydan in April but has had some setbacks since Tokyo. He is a respected international runner despite some inconsistent form of late. Keita Tosaki, the rider of Danon Decile, will be having his first ride in Britain since competing at the Shergar Cup at Ascot in 2017. Danon Decile is now no bigger than 9-2 for the Juddmonte International.
Daryz remains unbeaten and is a standout dark horse, having won the Group 2 Prix Eugene Adam comfortably. However, this form is considered a step below the market favorites, so improvement is needed at this level. Daryz is trained by Francis Graffard and is owned by Aga Khan Studs.
See The Fire is a classy filly with excellent York form, boasting a perfect 2-2 record on this track, including a dominant 12-length victory in the Group 2 Middleton Fillies' Stakes. She is regarded as very consistent and expected to run well on fast ground, making her popular among backers (current odds around 8-1).
Other notable mentions include Birr Castle, who may act as a pacemaker, and Calandagan, a high-class runner-up recently disadvantaged by a slow pace in the Sheema Classic.
Ombudsman has finished in the first two on all of his seven starts and won the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot. Daryz travelled comfortably before showing an electric turn of foot to lead inside the final furlong from the smart Bay City Roller in the Prix Eugene Adam.
Jeff Smith's homebred horse, named "She", has a general odds of 8-1 for the Juddmonte International. "She" posted a career-best RPR in the Group 2 Middleton Fillies' Stakes in May. She finished third behind Ombudsman at Ascot and filled the same spot in a heavy-ground Nassau on her next two starts.
Delacroix has a higher Racing Post Rating in the Eclipse than City Of Troy, who won the Juddmonte International last year. Danon Decile won the Dubai Sheema Classic in April, and the form of that race has worked out well, with the runner-up and fourth both winning Group 1 races since.
In conclusion, Delacroix and Ombudsman form the race’s core rivalry based on top-level Group 1 performances; Danon Decile brings strong international credentials; See The Fire is the track specialist to watch; and Daryz is the promising unbeaten newcomer. The race is shaping up to be an exciting contest among proven Group 1 stars and emerging talent.
