A select field of six lined up for the 2025 edition of the Group 1 highlight on the opening day of the York Ebor Festival. Befitting a race consistently ranked among the highest-class contests in the world, the lineup included star performers from Britain, Ireland, France, and Japan. The head of the market suggested a classic Godolphin vs Ballydoyle clash could be in store.
The John & Thady Gosden runner Ombudsman led the way for the boys in blue of Godolphin, with owner-mate Birr Castle the rank outsider and seemingly set for pacemaking duties. Ombudsman produced a stunning display to claim the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot but found Delacroix a neck too good in the Coral-Eclipse in July. Despite that defeat, the betting suggested the mount of William Buick was fancied to turn the tables with his Sandown conqueror.
Initially pencilled in as the yard’s leading Derby hope, a flop at Epsom resulted in a change in strategy for Delacroix. Dropped to 1m2f for the Coral-Eclipse, he responded with a sizzling late burst to grab Ombudsman in the shadow of the post. With Ryan Moore in the saddle, he seemed sure to go well for seven-time Juddmonte International winner, Aidan O’Brien.
As the only filly in the line-up, Andrew Balding’s See The Fire received weight from three of her rivals and arrived with a perfect two from two record at York. International flavour arrived in the shape of the unbeaten Daryz from the Francis-Henri Graffard operation, and Shogo Yasuda’s Japanese star Danon Decile.
Result
- 1st – Ombudsman 7/4F, Jockey: William Buick, Trainer: John & Thady Gosden
- 2nd – Delacroix 9/4, Jockey: Ryan Moore, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
- 3rd – Birr Castle 150/1, Jockey: Robert Havlin, Trainer: André Fabre
Prize Money Breakdown
- 1st – £748,217.56
- 2nd – £283,665.63
- 3rd – £141,964.75
- 4th – £70,718.50
- 5th – £35,491.19
- 6th – £17,811.56
Tote and Forecast Payouts
- Tote Win – £2.75
- Tote Places – 1st – £1.35, 2nd – £1.70
- Exacta – £7.00
- Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) – £5.58
- Trifecta – £133.30
Recap
As expected, Birr Castle wasted no time setting out to ensure this was a true test at the distance. Bustled into the lead by Robert Havlin, the French raider was soon clear at the head of affairs. Danon Decile was restrained in second, followed by market leaders Ombudsman and Delacroix, with Daryz and See The Fire bringing up the rear.
Moving inside the final mile, Birr Castle had forged a massive 10 lengths clear of his rivals. However, there was little change in the main group, with all five jockeys content to ignore the trailblazing Godolphin runner.
Turning into the straight, 150/1 chance Birr Castle had moved fully 25 lengths ahead of the field. In a year in which Qirat followed similar tactics to cause a 150/1 shock in the Sussex Stakes, many punters were no doubt feeling a little apprehensive as the race began in earnest.
Still 25 lengths clear with half a mile to run, a second 150/1 winner in the space of a couple of months was on the cards. Looking back to the chasing pack, the riders finally sensed the danger and began to ask for more. Danon Decile and Daryz were offering little, but Ombudsman began to find his stride to good effect. See The Fire and Delacroix also picked up the pace from further back.
Two furlongs from home, the lead had diminished to around 10 lengths as Birr Castle began to reach the end of his tether. Ombudsman started to surge at this point, with the Godolphin number one only five lengths down with a furlong to go. Quickening past the leader inside the final 100 yards, the shock was averted as Ombudsman powered home for an ultimately impressive 3½ length success. Delacroix fared best of the rest to grab second, with Birr Castle clinging on for third.
A fourth Juddmonte International win for John Gosden and a third in partnership with his son Thady. It was a second success for William Buick and a sixth for owners Godolphin.
Runners
- 1. Birr Castle – SP: 150/1, Trainer: André Fabre, Jockey: Robert Havlin
- 2. Danon Decile – SP: 7/2, Trainer: Shogo Yasuda, Jockey: Keita Tosaki
- 3. Ombudsman – SP: 7/4F, Trainer: John & Thady Gosden, Jockey: William Buick
- 4. See The Fire – SP: 7/1, Trainer: Andrew Balding, Jockey: Oisin Murphy
- 5. Daryz – SP: 14/1, Trainer: Francis-Henri Graffard, Jockey: Mickael Barzalona
- 6. Delacroix – SP: 9/4, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien, Jockey: Ryan Moore
Non-Runners
All Ran