The richest race of the York season will be run on the August 23, 2017, on the first day of the 4 day long Ebor Festival. The Gr.1 Juddmonte International Stakes is a Group 1 race. This is a 1 mile 2 furlongs race with a purse of £1million. In 2016, Postponed out of Dubawi and Ever Rigg, won by beating Highland Reel. We will see a family fighting for the title with Galileo's 4 prodigal sons and powerful grandson running to the wire.
Barney Roy was nose second to Ulysses in Eclipse last time. Being lightly race could easily claim the title. Ulysses on the other hand is shaping up well, winning Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown in April and Coral-Eclipse at Sandown in July, and third to Highland Reel in Prince of Wales's in between. He was also four and a half lengths second to Enable in King George. With a high cruising speed, he’s definitely one to watch for in the top three. Dual Guineas winner Churchill can't have been himself when comfortably held by the selection in the St James's Palace and is also respected over a trip he shapes as if he'll stay. Decorated Knight, the wild card in this race has won several listed races earlier this year and has run well in the Group races as well. He’s one to watch.
The complete contenders list for The Juddmonte International Stakes 2017:
Age: 5; Sex: Chestnut Horse; Breeding: Galileo (IRE) - Pearling (USA) (Storm Cat (USA)); Trainer: R Charlton; Owner: Saleh Al Homaizi & Imad Al Sagar
Decorated Knight comes in this race with sixth, second & first positions in the last three outings respectively.
Age: 5; Sex: Bay Horse; Breeding: Lord Shanakill (USA) - Betty Burke (Choisir (AUS)); Trainer: C G Cox; Owner: Paul & Clare Rooney
My Dream Boat comes in this race with seventh, fourth & second positions in the last three outings respectively.
Age: 4; Sex: Chestnut Colt; Breeding: Galileo (IRE) - Light Shift (USA) (Kingmambo (USA)); Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute; Owner: Flaxman Stables Ireland Ltd
Ulysses comes in this race with second, first & third positions in the last three outings respectively.
Age: 3; Sex: Bay Colt; Breeding: Excelebration (IRE) - Alina (IRE) (Galileo (IRE)); Trainer: R Hannon; Owner: Godolphin
Barney Roy comes in this race with second, first & second positions in the last three outings respectively.
Age: 3; Sex: Bay Colt; Breeding: Galileo (IRE) - Meow (IRE) (Storm Cat (USA)); Trainer: A P O'Brien; Owner: Mr M Tabor, D Smith & Mrs John Magni
Churchill comes in this race with fourth, first & first positions in the last three outings respectively.
Age: 3; Sex: Bay Colt; Breeding: Galileo (IRE) - Wave (IRE) (Dansili); Trainer: A P O'Brien; Owner: Mrs Magnier/m Tabor/d Smith/m Jooste
Cliffs of Moher comes in this race with fourth, second & first positions in the last three outings respectively.
Age: 3; Sex: Brown Filly; Breeding: Dansili - Photographic (Oasis Dream); Trainer: J H M Gosden; Owner: Mr K Abdullah
Shutter Speed comes in this race with fourth, first & first positions in the last three outings respectively.
1) Churchill 2) Ulysses and 3) Barney Roy or Decorated Knight