"Robert Havlin expresses surprise, noting that they appeared to secure victory a furlong before the finish line, during his outstanding front-running performance on Juddmonte's third-place finisher, Birr Castle"
In a thrilling turn of events at York Racecourse, Aidan O'Brien's Ombudsman claimed victory in the prestigious Juddmonte International Stakes. The race, marked by an unusual pace and some unexpected outcomes, saw Ombudsman emerge as the surprise winner, avenging his Coral-Eclipse defeat against Delacroix.
Ombudsman, owned by Godolphin, benefited from the masterplan involving Birr Castle as a pacemaker. Birr Castle, trained by Andre Fabre and supplemented for the race at a cost of £85,000, held a considerable lead over his rivals turning for home. However, it was not Birr Castle who stole the show, but Ombudsman who capitalised on the situation, thanks to the decision made by jockey William Buick not to follow the intended pace.
Shogo Yasuda, trainer of the Japanese horse Danon Decile, showed great dedication, describing his trip to the UK as a "dream come true." Despite Danon Decile finishing fifth in the race, Yasuda acknowledged the honor and support behind the horse, focusing on ensuring Danon Decile was in the best shape to perform well at York. The first two in the star-studded line-up, Danon Decile and See The Fire, are worth being positive about for future races.
Danon Decile's jockey, Ryan, had to sit and suffer in the Juddmonte International due to the unexpected pace. On the other hand, Delacroix, a big horse who likes an even pace, was at the mercy of the horses in front of him. Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Delacroix, rued the tactics of the race, stating that it was a sprint and a mess.
The glamorous names in the Juddmonte International, including Danon Decile, Daryz, and See The Fire, failed to catch Birr Castle. Robert Havlin, Birr Castle's rider, earned his employers additional funds by finishing third, reimbursing the £85,000 supplementary fee and making a profit of £56,000.
The race was run in a time 0.40 seconds faster than the Racing Post standard, with Ombudsman's victory coming as a revenge on his Coral-Eclipse conqueror Delacroix. Birr Castle's finishing speed percentage (FSP) was 97.5, while the other five horses exceeded a 105 FSP, indicating an unusually run race.
Shogo Yasuda expressed disappointment about not showcasing Danon Decile's true ability, but thanked his supporters, including James Horton and other individuals, for their help during their stay in Britain. Yasuda mentioned that they will have to go again after the Juddmonte International, suggesting that Danon Decile may return for another race in the coming months.
This may not be the last time Birr Castle is seen in a pace-making role for Godolphin's leading middle-distance horse in the coming months. O'Brien stated that everyone was watching William Buick, who was using the pacemaker, and they decided not to follow the intended pace, which worked for Ombudsman. The Juddmonte International ended in a surprising victory for Ombudsman, with O'Brien, Yasuda, and their respective teams looking forward to future races.
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