3 minute read
Paddington’s Group 1-winning run came to an end courtesy of a fine front-running Frankie Dettori ride as Mostahdaf claimed Juddmonte International glory.
A race billed as a tactical battle between four top jockeys, it certainly didn't disappoint as the quartet set out in single file.
Stepping in for the suspended Jim Crowley, Frankie Dettori wasted no time in sending Mostahdaf straight into an early advantage. The John and Thady Gosden-trained runner had been given a nice break since powering to a breathtaking success in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot and the early signs were positive for the 3/1 second favourite, who travelled powerfully in the hands of Frankie.
The tempo was solid throughout with Dettori allowed to dictate his own fractions out in front and the Italian-born maestro seemingly had his rivals in a spot of trouble as the quartet approached the three-marker. A quick peak around from Dettori would have filled the confidence of Mostahdaf's backers, whilst the same couldn't be said for those who took the 4/6 about Paddington to record an eighth-straight success, as Ryan Moore asked the star three-year-old to close.
Paddington began to bridge the gap, but Moore was soon asking for maximum effort on this season's four-time Group 1-winner. Aidan O'Brien's Siyouni colt hung in behind Mostahdaf as the race really developed deep inside the final two furlongs and the Shadwell-owned five-year-old continued to gallop on strongly.
Mostahdaf kept on finding for Frankie Dettori and the pair ultimately found themselves a length clear at the line.
Stablemate Nashwa (13/2) stayed on strongly to snatch the second spot away from Paddington, making it a remarkable one-two in the Juddmonte International for Clarehaven Stables. Paddington finished a neck behind back in third with the only other runner in the contest, The Foxes, trailing in last of the four having looked beaten a long way out.
Paddy Power quickly cut the winner from 10/1 to 6/1 for the Champion Stakes at Ascot in October, while the same firm go 4/1 about the Irish Champion Stakes at the Curragh on the 9th of September.
Dettori, who was winning the Juddmonte International for a record-breaking sixth time, was quick to acknowledge fellow rider Jim Crowley.
"It was a team effort, I'm very sorry for Jim that he was suspended. This is your horse, buddy!"
"He helped me out a lot about the characteristics of the horse. I spoke to John at length, and I studied all his videos, I thought there was only one way to beat Paddington and that was to make it a proper gallop – so I did.
"Full credit to the horse, he was superb today. When you're giving a champion three-year-old 7lbs, you want to be in front of him and not behind him! They're going to sprint and carrying 7lbs more it's more difficult to pass him.
"He jumped great, I was able to go my own fractions. I just waited until the two (furlong pole) and asked him to quicken, Hollie [Doyle, Nashwa] was coming on the inside, he was tremendous.
"It was a lucky ride as this is Jim's horse, I know he was in my stable.
"To be the first man to win six Internationals I am very proud, beating the great Lester Piggott. This is my last year and to finish on a high like this is amazing."
John Gosden added: "I think Frankie is like many of us, he's getting better with age!
"At Ascot people questioned whether Mostahdaf was as good as he looked, but he's probably stopped the clock in impressive fashion again.
"The filly (Nashwa) showed her class today as well having got stuck in the mud in the Nassau – it was brave to run her from the owner, he wanted to support British racing.
"The winner can handle good to soft, he just hated the bottomless ground in the Arc [when last in 2022]. He just wants summer racing ground.
"It was the plan to make it a real test today. There was no point in letting Ryan do his own thing. It was like Roberto and Brigadier Gerard all over again, but the filly finished second, the other boy [Paddington] has been very busy."
On future plans, the Clarehaven-based handler went on to add: "You could probably get away with a mile and a half at the Breeders' Cup round a few bends and down a hill, but I don't think we'll see that. I'll see what the owner wants to do, she's done wonderfully well, her father would be so proud of her, and she follows them passionately.
"The Irish Champion has to be a possibility, but I always like to get home and make a decision after 10 days. Some are trying to persuade me to run him in the Breeders' Cup Classic on the dirt, but I don't know about that.
"I don't think he has to have a big gap between his races it was just that he'd raced in the winter, then took on the great Japanese horse Equinox over a mile and a half, you then need a holiday. He did well for it, so I thought I'd give him another."
