Godolphin's Ombudsman Wins Juddmonte International Stakes at York

Ombudsman, trained by John and Thady Gosden and ridden by William Buick, won the 2025 Juddmonte International Stakes (G1) at York Racecourse, securing an automatic berth into the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic through the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series. The race was notable for the French-trained Birr Castle, who set an extraordinary early pace, opening up a lead of around 20 lengths before tiring, allowing Ombudsman to unleash a powerful finishing burst and win by 3 1/2 lengths. Ombudsman’s victory marked his second Group 1 win of the year, following his triumph in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot, and solidified his status as a leading middle-distance contender. The race sparked debate about race tactics, particularly regarding whether the rival jockeys erred by allowing Birr Castle such a large lead or if Ombudsman’s patient approach was decisive. The win also marked John Gosden’s record-extending fourth success in the Juddmonte International with different horses. Looking ahead, Ombudsman’s connections are considering races like the Irish Champion Stakes, the Champion Stakes at Ascot, and potentially the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.