The 2026 edition of the Juddmonte International was billed as a head-to-head clash between Godolphin and Coolmore, as leading lights from the yards of John & Thady Gosden and Aidan O’Brien locked horns.
Representing the boys in blue, the John & Thady Gosden-trained Ombudsman arrived as the defending champion and the joint-highest-rated horse in the world. He 3½ lengths too good for the field in 2025 and arriving on the back of a dazzling display in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes, he started as the odds-on favourite. Stablemate Devil’s Advocate joined Ombudsman in the lineup but looked booked for pacemaking duties.
The three-year-old Constitution River was the big hope for Aidan O’Brien and the Coolmore team. Hinting at superstar potential with a 7-length romp in the Dee Stakes, he was more workmanlike when winning the Prix du Jockey Club, but oozed class when strolling to a 3-length win in the Coral-Eclipse. In receipt of 7lb from Ombudsman, the market suggested he was the biggest threat to the favourite. Having finished second in the Prix du Jockey Club and third in the Coral-Eclipse, Hawk Mountain also made the trip from County Tipperary, alongside presumed pacemaker Action.
The most interesting of those available at double-figure prices was the Andrew Balding-trained three-year-old Item, who carried the colours of race sponsors Juddmonte. Four from five in his career to date, the only blip came when he failed to handle the soft ground in the Epsom Derby. Two from two at York, following wins in the Dante Stakes and York Stakes, he looked the one most likely to cause an upset.
Ed Walker’s Almaqam broke his Group 1 duck in the Tattersalls Gold Cup earlier in the season but had since finished over seven lengths behind Ombudsman in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes.
With 2025 Dante Stakes winner Pride Of Arras withdrawn at the start, French raider Zaydann completed the line-up.
Result
- 1st – Item 10/1, Jockey: Colin Keane, Trainer: Andrew Balding
- 2nd – Almaqam 14/1, Jockey: Kieran Shoemark, Trainer: Ed Walker
- 3rd – Constitution River 7/4, Jockey: Ryan Moore, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
Prize Money Breakdown
- 1st – £850,650
- 2nd – £322,500
- 3rd – £161,400
- 4th – £80,400
- 5th – £40,350
- 6th – £20,250
Tote and Forecast Payouts
- Tote Win – £13.60
- Tote Places – 1st – £2, 2nd – £2.45, 3rd – £1.10
- Exacta – £129.60
- Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) – £121.82
- Trifecta – £351.30
- Tricast – £360.50
Recap
Action missed the break when the stalls opened, leaving stablemate Hawk Mountain to grab the early lead against the inside rail. Godolphin pacemaker Devil’s Advocate came next, followed by Constitution River on his outside. Almaqam sat a couple of lengths off the pace in fourth, with Item and Ombudsman held up out the back in the early stages.
Assuming the role of pacemaker, Hawk Mountain began to pour on the pace down the far side, with Constitution River moving into a clear second ahead of Devil’s Advocate and Almaqam. A couple of lengths back to the French star Zaydann, with Item and Ombudsman racing together in sixth and seventh. Action continued to bring up the rear following his slow start.
Little change in the order as the field rounded the home turn. Hawk Mountain sat two lengths clear of Constitution River, who moved well at this stage. Almaqam moved forward to challenge Devil’s Advocate for third. No move yet from Ombudsman or Item.
Hawk Mountain had moved around three lengths clear as the runners straightened up for home. Constitution River continued to catch the eye in second, while Almaqam sat poised in fourth. Further back, Item was yet to be asked for his effort, while Buick switched Ombudsman to the inside rail in order to obtain a clear run.
Three furlongs from home, Hawk Mountain reached the end of his tether as Constitution River eased into the lead. Almaqam was right there with him to the outside, with Item and Ombudsman starting to make headway towards the inside. Zaydann moved well but failed to pick up when asked by Mickael Barzalona.
Constitution River led at the two-furlong pole but was struggling to shake off his rivals. A gap opened up for Ombudsman towards the inside, while a dogged Almaqam would not go away on his outer. Item sat on the heels of the leaders and would need to switch to the outside to get a run.
Inside the final furlong, Ombudsman couldn’t quicken through the gap while Constitution River began to wilt. It was Almaqam who kicked on, moving clear of Constitution River and looking the likely winner with 100 yards to go. However, Item had now hit top gear. Slowly but surely erasing the deficit, the mount of Colin Keane got up close home to score by a head. A brave effort from Almaqam in second, with Constitution River plugging on for third.
A first win in the race for Andrew Balding and Colin Keane, and a third for sponsors Juddmonte. Item followed in the hoofprints of his sire Frankel, who claimed the 2012 edition of the race.
Runners
- 1. Almaqam – SP: 14/1, Trainer: Ed Walker, Jockey: Kieran Shoemark
- 2. Devil’s Advocate – SP: 200/1, Trainer: John & Thady Gosden, Jockey: Robert Havlin
- 3. Ombudsman – SP: 5/6f, Trainer: John & Thady Gosden, Jockey: William Buick
- 4. Pride Of Arras – Non-runner
- 5. Zaydann – SP: 28/1, Trainer: Francis-Henri Graffard, Jockey: Mickael Barzalona
- 6. Action – SP: 200/1, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien, Jockey: Ronan Whelan
- 7. Constitution River – SP: 7/4, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien, Jockey: Ryan Moore
- 8. Hawk Mountain – SP: 20/1, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien, Jockey: Wayne Lordan
- 9. Item – SP: 10/1, Trainer: Andrew Balding, Jockey: Colin Keane
Non-Runners
Pride Of Arras (upset in stalls, withdrawn).