Sir Michael Stoute’s Ulysses a class above in Wednesday’s Juddmonte International Stakes at York racecourse
Stoute's Knavesmire hero always looked the winner as they turned into the straight and readily handed out defeat to the likes of Barney Roy and Churchill
ULYSSES, a staple read of English literature students, wrote his name into the record books with a stunning Juddmonte International victory.
Sir Michael Stoute’s ace took apart a tip-top field in the £1million York thriller with a performance of rare quality.
This great Group 1 prize has been the stage for some special horses down the years.
Dhalia, Giant’s Causeway and, the best of them all, Frankel all won this ten-furlong spectacular.
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Ulysses’ two-length defeat of 2,000 Guineas hero Churchill and St James’s Palace winner Barney Roy deserves to be mentioned in the same breath.
Few horses move through a top-class race with such style as Ulysses – owned by the Niarchos shipping family - did yesterday.
And once Jim Crowley, who was sublime in delaying his challenge until the final furlong, asked the 4-1 shot to quicken the race was over.
The champion jockey beamed: “He was always going to win - I always had plenty of horse.
"He relaxed so nicely and he just lobbed round. My only worry was to get there too soon.
“The more I’ve ridden him the more I know what he’s capable of. He seems to be improving as well – that’s far-and-away his best performance.
“To sit on a horse of this calibre is a real pleasure. There’s no better feeling, that’s what it’s all about.”
It was a record sixth Juddmonte International success for Stoute. And this Ulysses story, like the James Joyce book, is expected to run and run.
He said: “He’s a quality, beautifully balanced horse, with a hell of a pedigree. One always thought he could be a top-class horse – he is now.
“It all just went so smoothly and there was never a blip. I think it was his best performance to date. I particularly enjoyed this. I’m very fond of this horse.
“I think it's time to give him a break and work backwards from the Breeders' Cup Turf. The owners are keen to go for that. We'll go home and work it out.”
It was also a decent day for Stoute’s neighbour John Gosden. His ace filly Enable beat Ulysses in the King George at Ascot last month and another of his top three-year-olds came of age yesterday.
Cracksman, third in the Derby, blew his rivals away with a superb performance in the Betway Great Voltigeur Stakes.
Frankie Dettori, wearing the famous black, white and red colours of Anthony Oppenheimer, didn’t have a moment of worry on the 4-6 favourite.
He cruised through to the lead three furlongs from home and stormed clear to win by six lengths.
Cracksman could now join Enable in the Arc de Triomphe but Gosden is already dreaming of next season.
He said: “He was only a shell of a horse when he ran in the Derby. He’s getting better all the time.”
It was Dettori’s sixth Great Voligeur success – 25 years after the first.
He said: “He’s a four-year-old, we’ve got a lot to look forward to.”
Wells Farhh Go also looks to have a bright future after making sure the Acomb Stakes stayed in Yorkshire.
His trainer Tim Easterby is now eyeing a tilt at the Royal Lodge Stakes.