The Group 1 Juddmonte International Stakes, over a mile and a half, is the highlight and feature race of the York Ebor festival and will take place on the Wednesday.
Poets Word will attempt to repel the best of this years three-year-olds for last years winning trainer Sir Michael Stoute. The race has been dominated the past two years by the older horses, but three and four-year-olds hold excellent records in the race.
It is a race which has religiously thrown up excellent winners, including the likes of Frankel, Australia, Sea the Stars and Postponed we look set for another vintage renewal.
Poets Word will attempt to join that roll call of winners and heads the market at around 13/8 at the time of writing. He is having a fine season and according to official ratings has improved to the tune of 11lbs. The lightly-campaigned five-year-old comes into the race looking for a four-timer, including a Royal Ascot victory over stalemate Crystal Ocean who is also entered. Already seeing off last years standout performer Cracksman he is firmly on course for success. He is yet to set a hoof on the Knavesmire but neither were seven of the last ten winners of this contest and past stats read very well for favourites.
The three-year-old Coral-Eclipse winner Roaring Lion will attempt to enhance the claims of the younger horses when lining up for trainer John Gosden. He will have the advantage of course form over Poets Word and the handy weight-for-age allowance is likely to bridge the gap between the two on ratings. The son of Kittens Joy has had a fantastic season including when winning the Dante over course and distance in impressive fashion back in May and is a live contender to the favourite. John Gosden reported after that race saying:
“I’ve always said this was his trip, and he has proved it over the middle distances, I liked the way he hit the line strong and galloped out.”
Gosden continued:
“I think it only pays an enormous compliment to Saxon Warrior who beat us by a neck in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster.”
Saxon Warrior who also has this engagement on the agenda and the two have met on four occasions, both coming away with their reputations intact and hard to split. Aidan O’Brien’s charge will ultimately be looking to avenge defeat in the Coral-Eclipse. Question marks have been hovering over the Ballydoyle mount in regards to his optimum trip having seemingly failed to stay the distance when stepped up from the 1m. He is clearly talented however and should not be written off just yet.
Godolphin has two representatives entered in the form of Benbatl and Thunder Snow. The first mentioned has put his disappointing Group 1 Queen Anne Performance well behind him when running out a comfortable winner in Germany to land a Group 1 prize over this distance. He may not have been suited to a straight mile there and is widely available at around 10/1. Rated 123 on official ratings 1lb superior to Roaring Lion with strong previous form at the course he could go well at a larger price.
You would have to go back to 2016 to find Thunder Snow’s last victory in England. Trainer Saeed bin Suroor has sent his stable star for a campaign on the dirt in Meydan this year and it has proved to be effective. Recording a Group 1 and a Group 2 victory, finishing second on his two other starts. An interesting contender if connections take up the option.
Plenty of race trends fall in favour of Poets Word, Benbatl and Roaring Lion.
Some Juddmonte International Trends
Age – Ten of the last 12 winners were aged 3 or 4
Price – 7 of the last 12 were favourites
Rating – 10 of the last 12 were rated 120+
Group Form – 10 of the last 12 winners had previously won a Group 1
Last Run – 6 of the last 12 had won their last run
