Ombudsman and Calandagan headline star-studded Juddmonte International entries

William Dobbie Published: 8 hours ago

The Juddmonte International has attracted a stunning entry list that includes both Ombudsman and Calandagan.

The 10-furlong Group 1 that takes place on the opening day of York's Ebor Festival regularly involves an extremely high-class field but, on the face of the initial entries, this year's renewal has the potential to be exceptional.

Its roll of honour is among the most prestigious of any race in the UK & Ireland with Sea The Stars, Frankel and Baaeed all victorious this century.

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Heading the entry list is Ombudsman, who is bidding to become the first back-to-back winner of the race since Halling recorded a brace of successes in the mid 1990s.

Trained by John & Thady Gosden, the Godolphin-owned five-year-old is being aimed here as oppose to a tilt at the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown.

A return to the Knavesmire could set up a potential meeting with his old sparring partner Calandagan. The reigning European Horse of the Year got the better of his rival when they met in the Champion Stakes at Ascot last November and his quintet of Group 1 wins tells you all you need to know about the quality he possesses.

Although the older horses do bring a level of proven quality to the table, they will have the complication of having to give weight to some of their three-year-old counterparts.

Of the potential Classic season contenders, Constitution River and Benvenuto Cellini would look to have leading credentials.

It is unlikely that both will run in the York showpiece given they are both handled by Aidan O'Brien, but the prospect of either turning up would be a worry for connections of any other horse.

Constitution River was a brilliant winner of the French Derby back in May whilst Benvenuto Cellini made his top-level breakthrough when winning the Irish equivalent at the back end of June.