Underdog Item Triumphs in International Stakes, Favorite Ombudsman Falters
In a remarkable turn of events at the prestigious Group 1 International Stakes in York, England, the relatively unheralded three-year-old colt, Item, delivered a stunning upset victory. Despite finishing a distant ninth in his prior top-tier race, Item showcased an incredible late surge to snatch the win by a mere head. This triumph came at the expense of the heavily favored and former world number one, Ombudsman, who, to widespread surprise, could only manage a fourth-place finish, marking the sole time in his thirteen-race career he has been outside the top three.
The International Stakes, with a purse of US$2.04 million, served as a direct qualifier for the Breeders' Cup Classic, scheduled for October 31 at Keeneland. However, discussions among Item's connections suggest a potential preference for the Champion Stakes on turf at Ascot on October 17. Trainer Andrew Balding, while elated with the victory, remained non-committal regarding future plans, stating, "I just do not know at this moment in time. I think we've got to sit down and let the dust settle. We've just won a Juddmonte International. That was the plan."
Item, a Frankel colt bred by Juddmonte and trained by Andrew Balding, raced at odds of 12-1 on the World Pool and 10-1 at York. Jockey Colin Keane skillfully navigated the horse from a tightly packed position at the rear of the eight-horse field. Early in the race, Hawk Mountain, with Wayne Lordan aboard, established a brisk pace, setting up its stablemate Constitution River, ridden by Ryan Moore for trainer Aidan O'Brien, to stalk the leaders. As the race entered the half-mile homestretch of the approximately 1 1/4-mile turf course, Hawk Mountain's lead began to diminish. Almaqam, a five-year-old with Kieran Shoemark, threaded through the field to challenge for third. Meanwhile, Ombudsman, a five-year-old ridden by William Buick for co-trainers John and Thady Gosden, found an opening on the inside, positioning himself in a threatening fourth place after an initial seventh.
Approaching the quarter pole, Constitution River surged to the front, with Ombudsman closely tracking on the inside and Almaqam battling on the outside. However, in the final furlong, both Ombudsman and Constitution River began to fade. Almaqam briefly held a clear advantage before Item unleashed a powerful late run down the center of the track, ultimately seizing the lead in the last few strides to secure a memorable victory. Item's consistent performance at York was evident, marking his third win from three starts at the venue. He returned $27.20 for a win and $4.00 for a show on the World Pool mutuels. Almaqam, trained by Ed Walker, took second, paying $4.90, with Constitution River finishing third and paying $2.20. The remaining horses, Ombudsman, Zaydann, Hawk Mountain, Devil's Advocate, and Action, completed the field in order from fourth to eighth. Pride Of Arras was scratched after an incident at the starting gate. The winning time for the 2,063 meters, equivalent to 56 yards longer than 1 1/4 miles, was 2:08.44 on a good-rated, sweeping left-turn course. Item, sired by Frankel out of Lope De Vega mare Capla Temptress, now boasts a career record of 5 starts, 4 wins, and no placings, with his only prior defeat being a ninth-place finish in the 1 1/2-mile Epsom Derby (G1) on soft ground. His impressive trajectory includes two wins as a two-year-old and subsequent victories in the Dante (G2) at York and the York Stakes (G2) before this career-defining triumph.