"The horse has taken his race very well" - Ombudsman set for Breeders' Cup swansong
Ombudsman, recognized as Europe's highest-rated thoroughbred, is set for his final career race in the Breeders' Cup Turf at Keeneland. After rebounding from a rare defeat with a commanding win in the Champion Stakes, Ombudsman earned a career-high rating of 134—unseen since Frankel. Trainer John Gosden confirmed the horse’s strong form and intent to run against rivals such as Diamond Necklace and Bay City Roller. Ombudsman now enters the Breeders' Cup Turf as the 5/4 favourite before heading to stud.
- Ombudsman will have his final race in the Breeders' Cup Turf at Keeneland
- He achieved a career-best performance and rating of 134 with his Champion Stakes win
- Ombudsman will enter the Breeders' Cup Turf as the 5/4 favourite before retiring to stud
Europe's highest-rated thoroughbred, Ombudsman, will have his final career outing in the Breeders' Cup Turf at Keeneland.
Ombudsman bounced back from a disappointing defeat in the Juddmonte International by winning the Champion Stakes on Saturday. Back on good ground at his beloved Ascot, William Buick's mount produced another sensational performance, reversing last year's form with Calandagan in emphatic fashion.
On Racing Post Ratings, Ombudsman recorded a career-best performance in the Champion Stakes and rose to a new peak official rating of 134. Not since the legendary Frankel has a turf horse reached such dazzling heights, and Gosden's five-year-old is sure to command a huge stallion fee when he heads off to stud.
Before that farewell, however, Ombudsman has one final race on his horizon. Victories at Royal Ascot and on Champions Day have guaranteed him an entry in the Breeders' Cup Turf at Keeneland, and Gosden is keen to make the most of this opportunity.
"He’s been entered for the Breeders’ Cup this morning," Gosden told the press on Monday. "It’s a nice invitation and we’re right to take a good look at it."
"He’s in good order from Ascot and we’re taking a look at the Breeders’ Cup Turf with him. We’ll see, but the horse has taken his race very well."
Following those comments, Ombudsman was cut to 5/4 favouritism for the 2026 Breeders' Cup Turf. Aidan O'Brien's Arc runner-up Diamond Necklace leads the charge against the hot favourite, with Arc and Champion Stakes third Bay City Roller in line for another crack at the market leader.
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