Item's Sensational Juddmonte Victory

Item, trained by Andrew Balding and ridden by Colin Keane, delivered a 10-1 surprise in the Juddmonte International at York, beating Almaqam by a head. The race, described by Racing Post as potentially "the greatest race of the year," saw Constitution River and Ombudsman, the race's "big two," finish third and fourth respectively.

Item's participation was in doubt until the last minute. A blood blister was found on his foot on Monday, and a decision to run was only made at 5am on race day after the blister had popped, leaving the horse pain-free. Balding praised his staff: "Luckily nature – and the staff at Kingsclere – intervened. As soon as it popped he was pain-free and it wasn't a problem but the boys have worked super-hard on him." The trainer added, "It was a five o'clock decision to get on the box and come up here. He got everyone out of bed to see him jog up to be sure we were happy with him."

During the race, Item had to be switched right when blocked over two furlongs out, and he finished strongly to edge out Almaqam, who had traded at 1.01 on Betfair during the contest. Almaqam's trainer, Ed Walker, called the defeat "a hard one to take."

Balding's First Juddmonte Win

This was Balding's first Juddmonte International victory, a feat his father, Ian, never managed. Balding, who also credited Item's improvement since his Dante Stakes win, said: "I think anything is possible, he certainly has no problem staying a mile and a half if he wanted to." He added, "I just want to say a big thank you to the team at home because it wasn't straightforward getting him here."

Item, who had previously won the Dante Stakes and York Stakes over this course, earned a Racing Post Rating of 128, 1lb above the ten-year median for the race. Almaqam was awarded an RPR of 127, the joint-best runner-up since 2016. Ombudsman, officially rated the joint-best horse in the world, was blamed by his trainer John Gosden on rain and watered ground for his tame effort.

Voltigeur and Acomb Victories

The York card also featured two other notable winners. In the Great Voltigeur Stakes, Maltese Cross, ridden by Tom Marquand and trained by William Haggas, won by two lengths from Christmas Day and Pierre Bonnard. Maltese Cross carried a 5lb penalty for winning the Grand Prix de Paris. Haggas said he didn't know whether the colt would go for the St Leger or Arc.

In the Acomb Stakes, Haffner, trained by Aidan O'Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore, won by two lengths at 11-8, beating Gentle Hurricane. O'Brien said Haffner could go to the Futurity Trophy, Breeders' Cup, or National Stakes.

Perspectives

Andrew Balding (trainer of Item): Celebrated the win as a team effort, highlighting the horse's improvement and the late decision to run despite the foot blister.

Ed Walker (trainer of Almaqam): Expressed disappointment at Almaqam's narrow defeat, calling it "a hard one to take."

John Gosden (trainer of Ombudsman): Attributed his horse's tame performance to rain and watered ground.