Nine declared for coveted Juddmonte International Stakes

The Juddmonte International Stakes headlines day one of the eagerly anticipated Ebor meeting at York this week and nine take to post for the valuable ten furlong prize.

Ombudsman bids to become the first since Hailing to land back-to-back Internationals, who also sported the Godolphin blue. The son of Night Of Thunder was electric in the race last season, beating familiar rival Delacroix. Unbeaten in his last three starts, it could take something special to beat him.

Constitution River has adopted superlatives of the highest ilk by connections, and rates the chief threat. The Wootton Bassett colt is unbeaten in his last five starts, with his sole defeat coming on debut. He overcame a wide stall in the French Derby, before a comfortable success in the Eclipse. Should he beat Ombudsman, we could be looking at one of the best to graduate from the Coolmore camp.

Item is unbeaten at York, and will certainly ensure this isn’t the two horse race it’s billed to be. The Frankel colt was two from two last season, looking a serious one to follow. He confirmed that promise when landing the Dante over course and distance on three year old debut. Item failed to handle the tribulations of Epsom, but bounced back in the York Stakes.

Another former Dante winner in Pride Of Arras was also declared, who bounced back to form when second to Item here last time out. He landed the Great Voltigeur here last season, and cannot be underestimated.

The recent rain will play into the strengths of Almaqam, who landed the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup in May. The son of Lope De Vega has always threatened to make his mark at this level. He failed to fire on quick ground last time out, but he cannot be discounted on his earlier form with Ombudsman.

Connections had the subsequent Arc winner Daryz well beaten in this last season, but they bid again with Zaydann. The Dubawi colt has improved with every run, and this grandson of the great Zarkava is highly interesting.

Aidan O’Brien declared Hawk Mountain and Action alongside Constitution River, with the pair likely playing the hare for the latter. Hawk Mountain only narrowly lost out to him in the French Derby, but was convincingly beaten in the Eclipse. Action was second to Hawk Mountain in the Futurity, but only has a Galway maiden to his name.

As they did last year, Godolphin employ their own pacemaker in Devil’s Advocate. He successfully played the part for Ombudsman last time out, though they mightn’t give him as much rope as they did with Birr Castle last season.

2026 Juddmonte International Stakes Runners