Ombudsman Cuts Through the Chaos to Triumph in the Juddmonte International

His stablemate and pacemaker, Birr Castle, opened a 100-meter lead, and for a moment, it seemed he would be unbeatable…

Ombudsman, a horse with a remarkable turn of foot / BREEDERS' CUP

YORKSHIRE, Inglaterra (Special for Turf Diario).- Wednesday’s Juddmonte International Stakes (G1) at York promised another chapter in the duel between Ombudsman (Night of Thunder) and Delacroix (Dubawi)—but it delivered far more. It was one of those rare, perplexing races that leaves even seasoned observers scratching their heads, and it will be discussed for a long time to come.

As the gates opened, the French-trained Birr Castle (Cloth of Stars), sent by André Fabre to set the pace, bolted forward as if aiming to win the race alone. The catch: Godolphin had spent £85,000 to supplement him, intending to shape the race perfectly for Ombudsman…

For much of the journey, it looked like it might work. Unchallenged, Birr Castle opened more than 20 lengths on the field, creating a growing murmur in the stands and evoking memories of the 150-1 outsider Qirat (Showcasing) who stunned the world at Goodwood weeks earlier by winning the Sussex Stakes (G1).

“For a moment, I thought Fabre was taking all the glory,” admitted John Gosden, half in jest. In reality, the plan worked even better than expected.

Meanwhile, Ombudsman, Delacroix, and the Japanese runner Danon Decile (Epiphaneia) remained in a compact group, none willing to expend energy early. It wasn’t until midway down the stretch that William Buick, calm but aware of the risk, decided it was time to go after the leader.

At the 400-meter mark, Ombudsman “clicked.” Buick gave him rein, and in a matter of seconds, the dark bay shifted from energy-saving mode to full throttle. The acceleration was devastating: he caught Birr Castle at the 150-meter pole and left him behind, as if they were running in separate divisions.

Delacroix came with his customary late surge, but there was no catching Ombudsman, who won by 3 1/2 lengths in 2:07.90 over good-to-firm ground. The victory marked his second G1 triumph following the Prince of Wales’s Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot in June.

Birr Castle, who had thrown the race into chaos, held on for third, just a neck behind Delacroix, earning an unexpected result and well-deserved recognition.

York’s crowds and social media erupted with debate. Had the rival jockeys erred by letting Birr Castle get away, or was patience the key that allowed Ombudsman to finish fresh? Opinions were split.

Some praised Godolphin and Fabre’s tactics as brilliant—breaking the race early and trusting Ombudsman to have the reserves to capitalize. Others called it a risky strategy that could have backfired had the pacemaker found a second wind.

Even Buick admitted he feared the lead might prove decisive: “It was dangerous, I won’t lie. But I trusted Ombudsman’s engine. When you let him go, he shifts gears like very few horses I’ve ridden in my life.”

Gosden emphasized that Ombudsman is still improving. Unbeaten in 2024, he has only one defeat this year, at Sandown to Delacroix. This win reinforces his status as Europe’s premier 10-furlong miler.

Looking ahead, Ombudsman targets the Irish Champion Stakes (G1) on September 13 at Leopardstown, followed potentially by the Champion Stakes (G1) at Ascot on October 18. The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) looms in the distance, though Gosden noted it will depend on the ground, with the colt lethal on fast tracks.

The 2025 Juddmonte International will be remembered not just for Ombudsman’s class, but for its unusual unfolding—pacemaker in the spotlight, strategy, composure, and raw power blending perfectly.

Amid the chaos, Ombudsman imposed order. In York, alongside the legacy of giants like Frankel (Galileo), Sea The Stars (Cape Cross), and Roaring Lion (Kitten’s Joy), the Godolphin star left his mark with a performance that defines a campaign.

As a bonus, the win provides a direct ticket to the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on November 1 at Del Mar, California, as part of the Win and You’re In program. However, judging by comments from Gosden and the Godolphin team, they are likely to pass on that opportunity.