Ombudsman took care of business and now sets his sights on a showdown with Daryz at Royal Ascot
- Turf Diario
- 12 hours ago
- 3 min read
The Godolphin star had to work harder than expected to win the Brigadier Gerard Stakes (G3) at Sandown Park, though he was conceding a penalty to his rivals
ESHER, England (Special to Turf Diario).- With less than three weeks remaining before one of the most anticipated races of the European season, Ombudsman did exactly what he needed to do.
Without delivering a spectacular exhibition or needing to dazzle, the multiple Group 1 winner returned to action Thursday at Sandown Park and successfully passed his preliminary test, capturing the Brigadier Gerard Stakes (G3)and confirming that he will arrive at Royal Ascot in peak shape.
The son of Night of Thunder, trained by John and Thady Gosden, carried a demanding seven-pound penalty and was making his first start on turf since his victory in the Dubai Turf (G1) at Meydan.
Even so, those circumstances were not enough to prevent the favorite from showcasing his class.
In a far more hard-fought finish than expected, Ombudsman had to dig deep to repel the challenge of the progressive Gethin (Ghaiyyath), ultimately prevailing by a neck. Three lengths farther back, Almeric (Study Of Man) completed the trifecta.
The performance may not have possessed the brilliance of some of his more celebrated victories, but it strongly suggested that Sandown was never the primary objective.
“Giving away seven pounds is a lot of weight, so it was a very good performance,” said William Buick after dismounting. “He’ll improve from the run. He got a little tired late, but he’s a very professional horse now, with plenty of experience, and he never gave me any concern.”
Buick’s assessment was quickly echoed by John Gosden, who acknowledged that the horse was still well short of peak fitness.
“I’m very pleased,” the trainer explained. “He came here at about 85 percent of his best. He was carrying the penalty and it was also his first race on turf since Meydan.”
The image Ombudsman projects today is vastly different from that of the still-developing colt who was beaten in this very race a year ago by Almaqam (Lope de Vega), one of the hottest names in Europe after recently landing the Tattersalls Gold Cup (G1) in Ireland.
Now, as a much stronger and more mature performer, the Godolphin representative appears to have reached another level.
“He’s a bigger, stronger horse this year,” Gosden said. “I’m delighted with how he has matured. He’s much calmer now. He does exactly what he needs to do. He doesn’t have to be flashy anymore. Horses get older and wiser, just like boxers.”
But beyond the victory itself, the most significant part of the afternoon came afterward.
Because Gosden—and virtually everyone in European racing—already has their eyes fixed on the Prince of Wales’s Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot, where one of the season’s most compelling showdowns could take place.
Waiting on the other side is none other than Daryz (Sea the Stars), the French sensation who has dazzled in both the Prix Ganay (G1) and the newly renamed Prix Aga Khan IV (G1), displaying the kind of acceleration many believe belongs to an exceptional horse.
“Royal Ascot is shaping up to be very exciting with Daryz coming over from France,” Gosden admitted. “He looks like a phenomenal horse, and we’re looking forward to a real Prince of Wales’s Stakes. It could be the race of the meeting. That’s what this sport is all about.”
With Daryz arriving in sensational form, Ombudsman successfully returning to action, and other elite performers still considering the challenge, all signs point toward next month’s clash at Ascot becoming one of the defining races of the year.
For now, Ombudsman has done his part.
He won, gained valuable fitness, and made it clear that he is ready for the battle ahead.
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