Ghaiyyath shows true warrior spirit to win thrilling Juddmonte International at York’s Ebor Festival

The world’s highest-rated racehorse before this globally-renowned Group One race, the victor’s reputation was enhanced still further by his fighting qualities in the heat of battle and Buick patted the horse affectionately before wrapping himself around the neck of the equine warrior.

And while the front-running five-year-old set the pace, as expected, it was a sight to behold to watch Godolphin’s champion, trained to the minute by Charlie Appleby, ground his opponents into submission up the home straight.

They could not get near him, with multiple Group One-winning mare Magical the best of the rest and runaway Royal Ascot winner Lord North, third. Kameko, the 2000 Guineas winner, did not stay and was a weary fourth.

Ghaiyyath’s winning time of two minutes and 37.38 seconds on rain-softened ground was faster than the times posted by the previous three winners Ulysses, Roaring Lion and Japan – all worthy winners of the Juddmonte.

And this win continues a summer of domination following Group One wins over Stradivarius, the champion stayer, in the Coronation Cup and Enable, the dual Arc heroine, in the Coral-Eclipse.

The victory also mean Buick has all three of York’s group One races on his CV following past triumphs in the Nunthorpe Stakes on Ortensia (2012) and the Yorkshire Oaks aboard The Fugue (2013).

How fitting that this bull-like horse, and cherubic rider, returned to the York winner’s enclosure to the strains of Queen’s Simply The Best and the applause from those present on the Knavesmire. Empty stands, a legacy of Covid-19, will not diminish from a historic performance.

Though not as visibly sublime as Frankel’s Juddmonte win, or as exciting as the victory of Sea The Stars, the dominance of Ghaiyyath was worthy of the historic race’s roll of honour.

“This horse can do all the things most horses can’t,” enthused a beaming Buick, a one-time Northern Racing College graduate, as he explained the thoroughbred’s champion qualities.

“His high cruising speed, the way he keeps going and at the business end he has another gear just to finish the race off completely.

“I love him. He’s a high-class horse and he’s now got everything on his CV.

“He’s been beaten the best around at this trip.

“He’s obviously very good at a mile and a quarter. He stays a mile and a half. It’s going to be interesting to see if he’ll get an end-of-season target like the Arc. I don’t know.

“His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and Charlie (Appleby) will decide what’s best for the horse. As long as the ground isn’t bad, I’m sure the Arc would be an interesting target for him.”

Tellingly for a Derby-winning jockey with Group One wins around the world to his name, Buick then added: “He’s the best I’ve ridden without a doubt.”

Equally emphatic was Appleby’s praise for the ride of Buick. “Perfect,” he ventured. “I’m delighted with that.

“It was straightforward, a great performance and a great front-running ride by William.

“He’s not let us down this year and as I said right at the start of the year, he’s more the finished article now. We had our plan – the Coronation, miss Ascot and go for the Eclipse before coming here.

“As we all know plans don’t always work out, but he’s been 
exceptional every start this 
year.”

Ghaiyyath has now won nine of his 12 starts – with his level of consistency this year justifying the colt’s lofty reputation and growing maturity.

One of his three defeats came in last year’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe over a mile and a half and it remains to be seen whether he returns to ParisLongchamp to concede weight to the likes of dual champion Enable and Love.

More likely, connections will stick to 10 furlongs – possible the Champion Stakes at Ascot – for Ghaiyyath to deliver another knockout performance before, in all probability, being retired to stud.

Yet, while Ghaiyyath’s future value as a stallion is limitless, there was a complete contrast in the Great Voltigeur Stakes when Pyledriver backed up his Royal Ascot win for trainer William Muir and his son-in-law Martin Dwyer who was in the saddle in the colours of La Pyle Partnership.

A horse that his owners could not sell, he’s now a leading contender for next month’s St Leger to the delight of Muir who gets up at 5am and drives his own horse box to the races.

“He’s a dream horse,” added the trainer.

Just like Ghaiyyath after this heavyweight day of racing.