"Whatever John thinks is best" - Godolphin put their faith in Gosden as Ombudsman skips Leopardstown
Godolphin has confirmed that Ombudsman, currently the joint-highest rated flat racer in the world, will not compete in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown. Instead, the four-year-old—already triumphant in the Juddmonte International—will be aimed at the Champion Stakes at Ascot this autumn, followed by the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar. The Gosden team, lauded for their patient and strategic approach, decided this route would best suit the horse. Godolphin is celebrating a stellar season, also owning the top-rated US horse Sovereignty.
- Ombudsman will not run in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown
- Focus shifts to the Champion Stakes at Ascot and Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar
- Trainer John Gosden’s patience credited for Ombudsman’s top performance this year
Ombudsman will not travel to Leopardstown for the Irish Champion Stakes, according to Godolphin director, Hugh Anderson.
Flat racing fans were eagerly anticipating a third showdown between Ombudsman and Delacroix in the Irish Champion Stakes. Aidan O'Brien's star had beaten Ombudsman in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown, but it was John and Thady Gosden's four-year-old who triumphed in the Juddmonte International Stakes.
Ombudsman was the clear favourite to beat Delacroix again in the early betting for the Irish Champion Stakes - which takes place at Leopardstown next Saturday. However, Godolphin’s managing director, Hugh Anderson spoke to the press this week and confirmed that a trip to Leopardstown was not on Ombudsman's agenda.
"I spoke to John this morning and he’s a master trainer." said Anderson. "I think the plan he has set out is very much similar to what he had in mind after the win in the Juddmonte International."
"There is no man better able at setting out a challenging campaign for a fabulous racehorse than John and we look forward to hopefully some good results in the autumn."
After that triumph at York, the Gosden's ruled out a tilt at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. The Champion Stakes at Ascot has been identified as the autumn goal for Ombudsman, before a trip to Del Mar for the Breeders' Cup Turf.
An official rating of 127 makes Ombudsman the joint-highest flat racer in the world at the moment. Godolphin also own the highest-rated horse in the USA at the moment in Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty, and Anderson was keen to sing the praises of both horses in his recent interview.
"He’s been a star this year. Ombudsman and Sovereignty are out of the real top drawer. Godolphin have had some good horses down the years but to have these two in the same year is really excellent."
"What I will say about Ombudsman is the way he has been trained over his career is very much to John and Thady’s credit, with the watchword being patience and that has delivered fantastic results.
"He didn’t race at two and then was very lightly raced at three and he’s hit these huge highs at four. So whatever John thinks is best for him is going to prove to be good for Godolphin."
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