From Frankel’s unforgettable demolition to Sea The Stars, Baaeed and City Of Troy, in the new 1xBet.ie review, Emmet Kennedy ranks his ten greatest winners of York’s Juddmonte International this century.
Few races bring together generations quite like the Juddmonte International Stakes.
York’s showpiece has become one of the defining middle-distance races of the Flat season, twice officially crowned the Longines World’s Best Horse Race, in 2020 and 2024, having also been ranked the world’s highest-rated race in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Its roll of honour reflects that quality.
As Ombudsman prepares to defend his crown against Classic winner Constitution River, I’ve ranked my ten greatest Juddmonte International winners since 2000. There is plenty of room for debate further down the list. At number one, there really isn't.
1. FRANKEL – 2012
Trainer: Sir Henry Cecil
Jockey: Tom Queally
Adjusted Timeform Rating: 143+
Quite simply, the greatest. Frankel arrived at York unbeaten and already established as an extraordinary miler, but the International asked a new question as he stepped beyond a mile for the first time. His answer was emphatic.
Held up by Tom Queally, Frankel cruised into contention before taking over around two furlongs out and exploding clear. Farhh, rated 131 by Timeform, and four-time Group 1 winner St Nicholas Abbey were reduced to supporting roles as Frankel powered seven lengths clear, barely extended.
It was his fourth performance above 140 on Timeform's scale and arguably the afternoon that removed the final lingering doubt about his greatness. He wasn't simply the world's best miler. He was a phenomenon. Rewatch it now and the ease of victory still gives you goosebumps.
Frankel was equine perfection.
2. SEA THE STARS – 2009
Trainer: John Oxx
Jockey: Mick Kinane
Adjusted Timeform Rating: 131+
One of the greatest campaigns in racing history rolled into York with another Ballydoyle obstacle standing in the way.
Sea The Stars had already completed the 2,000 Guineas-Derby-Eclipse treble, the first horse since Nashwan in 1989 to achieve it. At York, dual Classic winner Mastercraftsman attempted to expose him. For a few strides, he threatened to.
Mick Kinane appeared motionless approaching the business end before Mastercraftsman kicked. Sea The Stars initially took time to respond, but once switched into the clear he hit top gear and swept past, the pair smashing York's previous track record.
It wasn't his most visually spectacular victory. In some ways, that made it even more impressive. Great horses find a way to win. Sea The Stars always did.
3. SAKHEE – 2001
Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor
Jockey: Frankie Dettori
Adjusted Timeform Rating: 136
The field may not have promised a vintage International beforehand. Sakhee turned it into one.
Frankie Dettori sent him for home more than three furlongs out and the race was effectively over within seconds. Sakhee simply galloped his rivals into submission, storming clear of Grandera and Medicean before being eased close home.
This wasn't an inflated wide-margin victory against inferior opposition either. Four of his rivals were rated at least 119 and arrived with solid recent form. Sakhee made them look ordinary.
He would subsequently prove the performance was no fluke by destroying the field in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
4. CITY OF TROY – 2024
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Jockey: Ryan Moore
Adjusted Timeform Rating: 130+
A Derby winner taking on a deep international field of 12 rivals, with questions still lingering after his Eclipse victory. City Of Troy answered them.
When the expected pacemaker failed to take up his role, Ryan Moore allowed City Of Troy to dictate. He travelled beautifully, increased the tempo entering the straight and simply kept pouring it on, breaking the course record set by Sea The Stars in 2009 by almost a second. The form became exceptional.
Runner-up Calandagan went on to become a five-time Group 1 winner and world champion, while future Arc winner Bluestocking and subsequent Queen Anne winner Docklands were among those behind.
Whatever questions existed beforehand, this was City Of Troy looking every inch the outstanding colt Aidan O'Brien had always believed him to be.
5. BAAEED – 2022
Trainer: William Haggas
Jockey: Jim Crowley
Adjusted Timeform Rating: 137+
Baaeed had already conquered the mile division. York was where we discovered there was another dimension to him.
Stepping up to a mile and a quarter for the first time, the unbeaten colt travelled ominously well behind defending champion Mishriff before Jim Crowley asked him to go and win his race. The response was devastating.
Baaeed accelerated clear to record his sixth consecutive Group 1 victory, producing what Timeform described as one of Europe's outstanding performances of the century. Only Frankel has achieved a higher Timeform figure in the International this century.
The winning margin was the biggest in the race since Frankel's seven-length demolition ten years earlier. For one glorious afternoon at York, comparisons with Frankel didn't seem quite so outrageous.
6. GIANT'S CAUSEWAY – 2000
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Jockey: Mick Kinane
Adjusted Timeform Rating: 131+
They didn't call him The Iron Horse for nothing.
Giant's Causeway arrived seeking a fourth consecutive Group 1 victory and once again found Kalanisi waiting for him, having already beaten him in a memorable Eclipse. The rematch produced another thriller.
Giant's Causeway struck first, was headed inside the final furlong and looked vulnerable. Instead of accepting defeat, he fought back. Kalanisi drifting towards him may have given him another rival to eyeball, which was exactly what this extraordinary colt wanted.
Giant's Causeway battled back to win in the final strides, confirming the Eclipse form almost to the inch. Ability made him elite. His refusal to surrender made him unforgettable.
7. GHAIYYATH – 2020
Trainer: Charlie Appleby
Jockey: William Buick
Adjusted Timeform Rating: 133+
Some horses possess a devastating turn of foot. Ghaiyyath's great weapon was different. He could gallop world-class horses into the ground.
Against Magical, Lord North and Kameko, William Buick allowed him to do exactly that. Ghaiyyath relentlessly churned out strong furlongs from the front until his pursuers simply couldn't maintain the pressure.
Kameko briefly threatened before emptying. Lord North couldn't produce his customary finishing kick. Even the remarkably tough Magical was forced outside her comfort zone.
Ghaiyyath never stopped. It was his fourth Group 1 victory and another demonstration of what made him such a formidable middle-distance horse at his peak.
8. DUKE OF MARMALADE – 2008
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Jockey: Johnny Murtagh
Adjusted Timeform Rating: 127+
The eagerly anticipated showdown with Derby winner New Approach never really materialised, but that shouldn't obscure another outstanding performance in an extraordinary season for Duke Of Marmalade.
Johnny Murtagh had him perfectly positioned behind the pacemaker before taking control three furlongs from home. From there, Phoenix Tower tried everything, but Duke Of Marmalade simply wouldn't let him past.
It was his fifth consecutive Group 1 victory of 2008. Prince of Wales's Stakes, King George and now the International. Speed, stamina, toughness and consistency made him one of the defining horses of that Flat season.
9. ULYSSES – 2017
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute
Jockey: Jim Crowley
Adjusted Timeform Rating: 130+
Only seven ran, but this was serious company. Five were previous Group 1 winners, headed by Ulysses, Barney Roy and dual Guineas winner Churchill, and all three delivered.
The difference was Ulysses. Returning to his optimum mile and a quarter after finishing second in the King George, he travelled powerfully under Jim Crowley, cruised into contention and could be called the winner more than two furlongs from home.
Once Crowley pressed the button, Ulysses put the race away decisively, beating Churchill by two lengths with Barney Roy third and recording a career-best performance. A proper Group 1 horse finally producing a performance worthy of a 130 Timeform rating.
10. AUTHORIZED – 2007
Trainer: Peter Chapple-Hyam
Jockey: Frankie Dettori
Adjusted Timeform Rating: 133
A Derby winner against a King George winner and an Eclipse winner. This was exactly what the International was designed for.
After Authorized's controversial Eclipse defeat, York offered him the opportunity to restore his reputation against older horses Dylan Thomas and Notnowcato.
Frankie Dettori rode the tactical race superbly. Authorized travelled strongly, kept Dylan Thomas boxed against the stands' rail at a crucial stage and then accelerated for home.
Dylan Thomas eventually escaped and closed, but Authorized had enough in reserve to hold him, reversing his Eclipse form with Notnowcato by five and a half lengths.
Tactics undoubtedly played their part, but Authorized had beaten two outstanding older horses and reaffirmed himself as one of the best Derby winners of his generation.
The Final Verdict
There have been brilliant performances at York this century, from the relentless galloping of Ghaiyyath and courage of Giant's Causeway to the brilliance of Baaeed, Sakhee and Sea The Stars.
But Frankel remains in a category of his own. He arrived at York with one final question to answer and produced arguably the defining performance of an unbeaten 14-race career.
Use insights from Emmet Kennedy and get even more excitement from watching the most thrilling 1xBet.ie horse racing.
The analytical piece was prepared by Emmet Kennedy — Presenter, Producer, and Owner of The Final Furlong Podcast, Broadcaster with TalkSPORT, and Broadcast Consultant — with the support of 1xBet.ie.
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