Juddmonte International Stakes: Race Report and Analysis Briefing

This briefing document summarises the key events, performances, and notable metrics from the Juddmonte International Stakes (Group 1) held on August 20, 2025, at York. The race, run on “Good To Firm (Good In Places)” turf over 1m 2f 56y, featured 6 runners and offered a winner’s prize of £748,218.

Main Themes & Key Takeaways:

1. Ombudsman’s Dominant Victory and Future Prospects: Ombudsman, ridden by William Buick, secured a “top-class performance” to win the Juddmonte International Stakes. This victory avenged his previous Eclipse defeat by Delacroix, showcasing a form more aligned with his Prince of Wales’s Stakes win at Royal Ascot. Ombudsman demonstrated exceptional closing speed, leading inside the final furlong and “storming clear.” His performance suggests a strong future, with the Irish Champion Stakes identified as the “obvious autumn target,” and he is expected to “do better again as a 5yo.”
2. The Impact of Birr Castle’s Pacemaking: The race was significantly shaped by the tactics of Birr Castle, who acted as a pacemaker and was allowed to build a “whopping great lead” early on. This led to a “dawdling” pace for the main chasing group for much of the race, before a “dashing for the last quarter mile.” While ultimately caught, Birr Castle’s performance as a 150/1 outsider was remarkable, holding the lead until the final furlong and only succumbing to a “top-notch performer with the headwind doing him no favours.” Robert Havlin, Birr Castle’s rider, noted, “There was silence behind me. I looked under my legs about a furlong before we turned in and saw how far back they were.”
3. Varying Race Strategies and Their Outcomes: The “mess” of the early pace, as described by trainer Aidan O’Brien, meant several horses “weren’t seen to best effect.”

• Ombudsman (1st): Raced in 3rd initially, strategically positioned to chase the clear leader. Showed superior finishing speed (109.56% FSP, 1st) and top speed (41.13MPH, 1st) to close the gap effectively in the final furlongs.
• Delacroix (2nd): Came from an “unlikely position” in the rear of the chasing group. While he “by no means ran badly,” he “proved unable to match the winner’s gears” in the sprint finish, running to a 7lb lower RPR than his Eclipse win. Trainer Aidan O’Brien commented, “It was just a sprint. It was a mess really. Obviously the pacemaker jumped out and everyone pulled back off him. Ryan had to sit and suffer then. Delacroix is a big horse and we’d have preferred a more even pace.”
• Birr Castle (3rd): Employed front-running tactics, establishing a massive lead. Despite fading late, he held on for a commendable third place at long odds, demonstrating his class as a pacemaker. His finishing speed percentage of 97.50% was significantly lower than the top finishers, indicating the toll of his early exertions.
• Other Runners: See The Fire, Danon Decile, and Daryz all struggled to adapt to the race’s uneven pace. See The Fire was “outpaced” and lost her unbeaten course record. Danon Decile, a “multiple winner at the top level,” “didn’t settle” and “went out with a whimper.” Daryz, making his debut outside France, “tired late having failed to settle.”

Key Facts and Metrics:

• Race: Juddmonte International Stakes (Group 1)
• Date: August 20, 2025
• Location: York (Ebor Festival)
• Distance: 1m 2f 56y (Turf)
• Going: Good To Firm (Good In Places)
• Winner’s Prize: £748,218
• Total Runners: 6

Winning Horse: Ombudsman

• Position: 1st (Trainer: Godolphin Owner)
• Winning Time: 2min, 7.9s
• Key Metrics:Top Speed: 41.13MPH (1st)
• Finishing Speed %: 109.56% (1st)
• Avg Stride Length: 6.95M (5th)
• Avg Stride Frequency: 2.28SPS (3rd)
• Race Description: “Raced in 3rd with leader clear from 9f out, went 2nd but still plenty to do over 2f out, closed over 1f out, led inside final furlong, soon clear.”

Second Place: Delacroix

• Position: 2nd, 3 1/2 lengths behind Ombudsman (Owner: Mr D Smith, Mrs J Magnier, Mr M Tab)
• Key Metrics:0-20MPH: 2.34S (1st) – fastest initial acceleration.
• Finishing Speed %: 109.00% (2nd)
• Avg Stride Length: 6.87M (6th)
• Avg Stride Frequency: 2.30SPS (2nd)
• Race Description: “Led early, chased leaders, steadied into rear of chasing group 9f out, headway but plenty do from 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 2nd towards finish, no impression on winner.”

Third Place: Birr Castle

• Position: 3rd, 1/2 length behind Delacroix (Owner: Godolphin S N C)
• Odds: 150/1
• Key Metrics:Finishing Speed %: 97.50% (6th) – significantly lower, indicative of fading.
• Avg Stride Length: 7.16M (2nd) – maintained a good length despite fatigue.
• Avg Stride Frequency: 2.31SPS (1st) – highest average frequency.
• Race Description: “Ridden away from stalls, soon led, clear 9f out, well clear 5f out, ridden over 2f out, reduced lead over 1f out, edged right and headed inside final furlong, lost 2nd towards finish.”

Overall Race Pace: The “Time Index” of 3.4/10 and “Vs.Par” of 1.75s indicate a “very slow” pace compared to average, reinforcing the comments about the early “dawdling” by the chasing pack.

This race highlighted the critical importance of both strategic positioning and exceptional finishing speed, especially in races where the pace is dictated by an aggressive pacemaker.