Juddmonte International Runners 2026: 15 remain ahead of Kanvesmire showdown

15 horses remain in contention for the 2026 Juddmonte International Stakes at York. The race has proven a guide towards Europe’s best racehorse in recent years and this season’s renewal looks set to be no different.

A clash between Constitution River and Ombudsman remains on. Such a battle would almost certainly make headlines, especially as it would mean another head-to-head contest between Aidan O’Brien and Ballydoyle, and the Gosdens and Godolphin.

Constitution River has gone unbeaten so far in 2026. The O’Brien three-year-old has swept all before him, winning the French Derby and the Eclipse to begin the summer. Off since then, he will look to stretch his winning run to six in this race.

However, Ombudsman would be a fearsome opponent for any horse in the world. For the second year in succession, he was a brilliant winner of the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot. Rated 132, he boasts one of the highest ratings in Britain in recent years and is also the defending champion here too.

This will be far from a two-horse race given some of the other potential contenders. Calandagan has been taken out of the race, but Francis-Henri Graffard has left Zaydann as a possible runner. The four-year-old has now won his last five starts on home territory and remains relatively unexposed. He would be the only runner from outsider Britain and Ireland.

O’Brien has tremendous strength in depth even below Constitution River. Irish Derby winner Benvenuto Cellini could step back in trip while Diamond Necklace, the unbeaten recent Nassau Stakes heroine, also remains for now, although is an unlikely runner. Causeway, Hawk Mountain, Minnie Hauk and Action also still hold entries.

Both Devil’s Advocate and Morris Dancer could play the hare for Ombdusman, but the British challenge has strength in depth. Dante and York Stakes winner Item clearly loves the Knavesmire and was impressive last time out. Almaqam is a top level scorer for Ed Walker, while Pride Of Arras and Royal Champion, other course and distance scorers in exalted company, complete a stellar line-up.

2026 Juddmonte International Stakes Runners