Ten horses were confirmed for the 2026 Juddmonte International Stakes. The feature race on day one of York‘s Ebor meeting is set to include a head-to-head clash between Ombudsman and Constitution River. Meanwhile, Group 1 winning sprinter Art Power has been retired by Tim Easterby.
Here is today’s racing news round-up heading into the weekend.
Ten left in Juddmonte International Stakes as tactical affair looms
Ombudsman and Constitution River were among ten horses left in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York. The Group 1 contest has hosted some brilliant performances in recent years courtesy of Ombudsman himself, as well as Baaeed and City Of Troy. John & Thady Gosden’s charge lit up Royal Ascot in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes, but three-year-old Constitution River has taken everything before him this term. The French Derby and Eclipse winner will be the biggest danger, with Item and Almaqam also in the line-up. (RTE)
As with last year’s renewal, the race could become a tactical affair. Rab Havlin was aboard pacemaker Birr Castle in the 2025 edition of the Juddmonte International, which he nearly stole from the front. Havlin is back again, this time likely to partner Devil’s Advocate. A two-time winner who has placed at Listed level, Havlin said of his mount that “He can sustain a strong gallop on any ground.” (Racing Post)
Group 1 winner Art Power retired
Dashing grey Art Power has been retired after racing across eight seasons. The King Power-owned nine-year-old won ten of his 46 races, regularly turning out in top company. His finest hour came when winning the 2023 Group 1 British Champions Sprint Stakes, battling back to beat favourite Kinross. Tim Easterby’s fan favourite won just short of £900,000 in career prize money and retires to Owenstown Stud in Ireland. (Thoroughbred Daily News)
Aidan O’Brien aims for new prize with Diamond Necklace
Diamond Necklace will be one horse absent from York’s Ebor meeting this week. Aidan O’Brien’s unbeaten filly will not contest the Yorkshire Oaks, with the plan now being a run in the Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville. That race takes place on Sunday 23 August and is also run over 1m4f. A recognised Arc trial, O’Brien has never won the race, established in 2004. (Racing Post)
Maltese Cross in line for York
Conversely, Epsom Derby second Maltese Cross will head to the Knavesmire next week. The Sea The Stars colt has won every other race this season, including when claiming the Group 1 Grand Prix De Paris on his first start post-Epsom. That took Maltese Cross’s career record to four wins from six starts. William Haggas is eyeing the Great Voltigeur Stakes as his next stop, though it is undecided whether that will prove a springboard to the St Leger or the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. (Sporting Life)