British summertime could mean just that for once this week as York stages the four-day Ebor festival in generally warm, sunny climate on its famous “Knavesmire” expanse. Day one's keenly-anticipated action looks set to be played out against the backdrop of all-too familiar rainclouds, but no wetness is due until after racing has ended on the card that features the G1 Juddmonte International. After that, the weather is set fair for the remaining trio of fixtures bearing witness to the reigning monarchy of Gosden's blessed Clarehaven Stables. Unsurprisingly, the head of state Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) faces just three rivals in Thursday's G1 Darley Yorkshire Oaks which represents her final victory parade in front of her adoring subjects before setting sail to France. A day later, her prince consort Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) arrives in this hallowed and historied place to collect his second dowry of a million English pounds from a beleagured Weatherbys Hamilton insurance brokerage in their sponsored G2 Lonsdale Cup.
Freak acts permitting, these two occurrences are almost preordained and there is almost that same feel about Wednesday's feature race which was first instituted in an attempt to draw the great Brigadier Gerard (GB) and Mill Reef into a match race in 1972 and which culminated in the shock sole defeat of the former's incredible career. Khalid Abdullah has faithfully sponsored the prize since 1989 and in that time all efforts have been made to augment its status alongside the older British monuments of the Eclipse and King George. In drawing 'TDN Rising Star' Crystal Ocean (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}), officially the world's greatest racehorse on the rankings, the York executive can rest assured that they have accomplished their task in 2019 at least. Added to the melange is a dash of overseas interest to help justify the race title in the 2017 G1 Japan Cup hero Cheval Grand (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) and, closer to home, the chief Irish hope ironically named Japan (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).
Inevitably, there is the almost-essential modern-day ingredient of Frankie in there too as his irresistible spell rolls on through the beautiful season. In the Gosden-trained 'TDN Rising Star' King of Comedy (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), there is the potential for an upset while the county-based Scottish-born King of the North who so epitomises the Yorkshire spirit and mentality also looks to deny the Rothschild homebred with the illustriously-bred Elarqam (GB) (Frankel {GB}). Mark Johnston created history when saddling his 4,194th winner at this meeting last year–ridden by Frankie Dettori, who else?–and he would dearly love to end a period of “seconditis” in Group 1 races in 2019 with this son of his wonky-legged but brilliant Attraction (GB) (Efisio {GB}).
Luckily for Sir Evelyn de Rothschild, Crystal Ocean's career is conducted by racing's principal in the art, Sir Michael Stoute and he has won this a record six times with lesser lights than his current stable star. Of his sextet, only the 1997 hero Singspiel (Ire) stands meaningful comparison to the gallant battle-scarred survivor of great battles, the latest of which saw him beaten but unbowed by Enable at Ascot. James Doyle was on board as they went down still throwing the punches in the King George and he is relishing the renewal of his association.
“I was really proud of my horse at Ascot–we put Enable under pressure–and he has no quirks,” he said. “He is plain-sailing to ride and is just a solid Group 1 horse. Crystal Ocean does everything you ask of a horse. He can put himself into a spot and relax and you can ride him more patiently if you require as he has that good turn of foot. It is the race of the meeting for me. All eyes will be on Enable on Thursday, but of all the races during the week the Juddmonte is the one you want to win.”
In contrast to his two-years-older rival, King of Comedy has just one piece of experience at this level when a strong-finishing second to the re-opposing Circus Maximus (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in Royal Ascot's G1 St James's Palace S. June 18. Untried against his elders and over the trip, he nevertheless comes from arguably European racing's pre-eminent stable outside of Co. Tipperary and has that Frankie factor which has seemingly immeasurable currency at present. “It is a very big ask and we're under no illusions about the task that is about to be undertaken,” commented Hugo Lascelles, racing manager to owner-breeder Lady Bamford. “He was unlucky not to win at Royal Ascot, but that's the way the cookie crumbles. John Gosden has been very happy with him since and always felt he'd appreciate a step up to a mile and a quarter.”
Aidan O'Brien also pitches in members of the Classic generation in Circus Maximus, who has been second in the July 31 G1 Sussex S. at Goodwood, and the tantalisingly-unexposed Japan. While he has to improve markedly on his workmanlike success in the 12-furlong G1 Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp, the latter has long engendered excitement from connections and they know all the indicators of a top-class Thoroughbred. “We're bringing Japan back to a mile and a quarter and we think the experience will do him good back at this trip,” the master of Ballydoyle explained. “We always felt a mile and a quarter would suit Circus Maximus well.”
Elarqam has come into contention from a less-trodden path, but his emphatic course-and-distance win in the July 27 G2 York S. cast the once-troubled Shadwell protagonist in a different light. Mark's son Charlie Johnston is well aware of the import of his presence as a genuine contender in this strong renewal. “It's obviously a very tough race and you've got the best horse in the world in there, but it's time for our horse to step back up to the highest level now,” he said. “We'll have no excuses with conditions. He's won three of his last four races and he's coming into it off the back of what was probably a career-best performance. I'm sure he won't disgrace himself and if he can finish in the first three we'll be delighted.”
The Johnstons are also represented in the G2 Great Voltigeur S., a warm-up for the Doncaster Classic that Mark so keenly covets so deep into his training career. Nayef Road (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) beat Constantinople (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G3 Gordon S. at Goodwood Aug. 1 and has to do it all again. With a just a neck to spare over Ballydoyle's steadily-progressing peer who is without the three-pound penalty he was burdened with on that occasion, Mohamed Obaida's relatively-cheap purchase by one by his sire has to up his game again. “I'm sure he won't be favourite–I'd imagine he'll be third in the betting behind a horse he beat last time and a horse who is unbeaten and obviously progressive, but still has a bit to find on ratings,” Charlie Johnston said. “I know we were getting a penalty from Constantinople at Goodwood, but I don't see any reason why he won't confirm the form.”
The horse Johnston referred to as “unbeaten and obviously progressive” is Juddmonte's unknown quantity Logician (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who has had the Newmarket early birds in excited mood of late. While the form of comparatively-minor wins at Newmarket June 21 and Newbury July 4 leave him some way short of the standard required despite there being only four opponents, the positive vibes surrounding the latest Gosden-Dettori collaboration simply cannot be ignored. “We know we are taking a leap forward with him, but we want to see if we can make him a Leger horse,” Frankie explained. Teddy Grimthorpe was keeping a lid on expectations when adding, “He's been very straightforward and everyone's been happy with him.”
More far-off Classic pointers are available via the medium of the G3 Tattersalls Acomb S., where Susan Roy's impressive Aug. 3 Goodwood debut winner Persuasion (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) bids to emulate the same connections' 2014 winner Dutch Connection (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}). Trainer Charlie Hills also took this 12 months ago with Phoenix of Spain (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) and is hoping he is cut from the same cloth. “He's a lovely horse and an exciting prospect,” he told the Racing Post, but he faces seven other colts coming in off maiden or novice wins with their depths entirely unplumbed at present.
Two of the mystery plays are the locally-trained Valdermoro (Declaration of War) and Yorkshire Gold (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}), with the aptly-named latter leaving a lasting impression with his debut success for the Kevin Ryan stable over six furlongs on testing ground at Leicester July 31. Richard Fahey, whose love for the racing here is always keenly-expressed, is expectant of a bold showing from the authoritative July 25 Doncaster scorer Valdermoro. “He's a horse we've always thought a lot of,” he said. “His form looks very strong, but he's got to step up again now. He's in great order, so we'll just have to see if he's up to this.”
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