The Juddmonte International is one of the key races at York’s flagship Ebor Festival in mid-August, and it is the last middle-distance British Champions Series race before the Champion Stakes at Ascot. It was first run in 1972, when the American-bred Roberto, a Derby winner named after baseball star Roberto Clemente, became the first and only horse to beat the famous Brigadier Gerard. Here’s our look at five famous winners of York’s Juddmonte International.
Juddmonte International Winners: Royal Anthem (1999)
The second of Sir Henry Cecil’s four winners in this race, Royal Anthem had been runner-up in the Coronation Cup and Hardwicke Stakes in his previous two starts. He was electrifying under Gary Stevens, sauntering through the race and cruising away to win by eight lengths. It was a performance of utter dominance and afterwards the handicapper elevated his rating from 125 to 134.
Juddmonte International Winners: Sakhee (2001)
Winner of the Dante at York and runner-up in the Epsom Derby the previous year, Sakhee missed the second half of 2000 and moved to Saeed bin Suroor in the off-season, leaving him with something to prove. A Listed winner at Newbury just ten days before York, many were concerned he might bounce, but the Bahri colt powered to a seven-length success over Grandera in the hands of Frankie Dettori. He backed it up by winning the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on his next start in wide-margin fashion.
Juddmonte International Winners: Sea The Stars (2009)
Sea The Stars was the dominant force in 2009. John Oxx’s magnificent performer saw off Aidan O’Brien-trained rivals in second, third, fourth and fifth when landing the Epsom Derby, and a four-runner field composed of Sea The Stars and three Ballydoyle inmates went to post at York.
Many considered Set Sail and Georgebernardshaw to be there for tactical purposes, but in the end, Sea The Stars put away main rival Mastercraftsman under Mick Kinane. After briefly looking in trouble, they clicked into top gear to go ahead inside the final furlong and win by a length in a record time.
Juddmonte International Winners: Frankel (2012)
The greatest horse of his generation, Frankel, of course, carried the Juddmonte silks for Sir Henry Cecil and regular rider Tom Queally. The International was his first venture beyond a mile, but he was long-odds on and the extra distance proved no barrier, cruising up to lead and then sauntering clear of his rivals.
He had a class field behind him, for good measure. The brilliant Farhh was a seven-length runner-up, with four-time Coronation Cup winner St Nicholas Abbey in third and dual Champion Stakes winner Twice Over, who had won the York feature in 2011, another six lengths back in fourth. It was a quite stunning performance that lit up the Knavesmire on what was to be the penultimate start of his career.
Juddmonte International Winners: Baaeed (2022)
Like Frankel a decade before him, Baaeed turned up at York unbeaten in his career and ready to go beyond a mile for the first time. William Haggas’s runner delivered in fine style in one of the world’s great contests for owners Shadwell.
He travelled strongly under Jim Crowley and then powered away by six and a half lengths from runner-up Mishriff. It was a classy effort and left Baaeed ten from ten in his career. Unlike Frankel, his final start in the Champion Stakes at Ascot two months later ended in defeat, as he failed to pick up on rain-softened ground and finished a close fourth.
By Harry Wilson
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