Ombudsman Chases Rare Juddmonte International Repeat
Juddmonte International Set For York
Ombudsman is bidding to become the first horse in 30 years to win back-to-back renewals of the Gr.1 Juddmonte International Stakes when he lines up at York on Wednesday 19 August 2026, the opening day of the Ebor Festival, in what has become the most valuable race ever staged at the course.
The Gr.1 Juddmonte International Stakes is run over 2,062 metres at York under weight-for-age conditions for three-year-olds and up, worth £1.5 million (US$2.0 million) to connections following a 20 percent increase in prize money for 2026. Godolphin's Ombudsman, trained by John and Thady Gosden and partnered again by William Buick, returns as defending champion off the back of three wins from three starts this year.
Only three horses have successfully defended the crown since the race's introduction in 1972, with Godolphin's own Halling the most recent to do so, under Saeed bin Suroor in 1995 and 1996. Ombudsman ran out a convincing winner in August 2025, crossing the line three and a half lengths clear of Eclipse Stakes conqueror Delacroix after pacemaker Birr Castle threatened an upset with a huge early lead.
The five-year-old ended last season with a second to Calandagan in the Gr.1 Champion Stakes at Ascot in October 2025 before returning unbeaten this year for the Clarehaven pair. He opened his 2026 campaign with a decisive victory in the Gr.1 Dubai Turf at Meydan in March, then defied a 7lb penalty to gamely deny Gethin in the Gr.3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown Park in May. Ombudsman then returned to Royal Ascot for the Gr.1 Prince of Wales's Stakes, a race he had won with authority in 2025, and produced a career-best effort to storm to a four-length success over Minnie Hauk on in June.
Devil's Advocate, who performed pacemaking duties for Ombudsman in last year's Champion Stakes and this year's Prince of Wales's Stakes, is set to fill the same role again at York. Buick, who has partnered Ombudsman on his last seven starts, said the horse feels in good order heading into the defence.
“I sat on Ombudsman the other morning and he felt his usual self. It is a competitive race, it always is, and one of the great races. You go into it with plenty of respect, but we have all seen what Ombudsman can do.”
Constitution River Poses Unbeaten Test
Ombudsman heads nine declared runners for York's showpiece, with an eagerly awaited clash against Constitution River confirmed for the opening day of the festival. Aidan O'Brien's colt is also unbeaten this season, with victories in the Gr.1 Prix du Jockey Club and the Gr.1 Coral-Eclipse among his highlights. Stablemate Hawk Mountain, who finished behind Constitution River in both of those Group One contests, lines up alongside fellow Ballydoyle runner Action, a likely pacemaker.
Juddmonte itself could hold an ace in Item, winner of the Gr.2 Dante Stakes for Andrew Balding, with the only blemish on his record coming in a Derby run over a longer trip in tough conditions.
Almaqam Heads Strong Chasing Group
Ed Walker's Almaqam, winner of the Gr.1 Tattersalls Gold Cup, meets Ombudsman again having finished fourth behind him at Royal Ascot. Jockey Kieran Shoemark believes the five-year-old has yet to reach his ceiling.
“I think Almaqam will go for the International. He ran at Ascot in the Prince of Wales's and ran a creditable race despite the ground possibly being on the quick side. He's only had two runs this season and I always thought he was going to improve for his Tattersalls Gold Cup win. It is obviously a very competitive race, but I'm looking forward to getting on him.”
Almaqam has seven and a half lengths to make up on Ombudsman from that Royal Ascot form, though the gap between the pair was under two lengths when they met on easier ground in last October's Champion Stakes.
The sole international challenger comes from Aga Khan Studs-owned Zaydann for trainer Francis Graffard. The Dubawi colt arrives on a five-race winning streak, his latest success coming in the Gr.3 Prix de Vichy. Ralph Beckett saddles Pride of Arras, who showed marked improvement from his seasonal debut when finishing second behind Item in the Gr.2 York Stakes.
Juddmonte International: 18:35 GST (15:35 BST) | Group One, Class 1 | 3yo+ | Thoroughbred | Turf | 1m2f56y | £1,500,000 (US$1,995,000) | Rail Position: NA | Track Condition: Good To Firm | Safety Limit: 22 | Track Record: NA | Prize Breakdown: 1st £850,650.00 (US$1,131,365) | 2nd £322,500.00 (US$428,925) | 3rd £161,400.00 (US$214,662) | 4th £80,400.00 (US$106,932) | 5th £40,350.00 (US$53,666) | 6th £20,250.00 (US$26,933)
Juddmonte International: Almaqam (T: Ed Walker / J: Kieran Shoemark) | Devil's Advocate (T: John & Thady Gosden / J: Robert Havlin) | Ombudsman (T: John & Thady Gosden / J: William Buick) | Pride Of Arras (T: Ralph Beckett / J: Rossa Ryan) | Zaydann (T: Francis Graffard / J: Mickael Barzalona) | Action (T: Aidan O'Brien / J: NA) | Causeway (T: Aidan O'Brien / J: NA) | Constitution River (T: Aidan O'Brien / J: NA) | Hawk Mountain (T: Aidan O'Brien / J: NA) | Item (T: Andrew Balding / J: Colin Keane)