York's Ebor Festival

International Stakes Day

21 Aug 2024

York Racecourse

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Key Contenders for International Stakes

CITY OF TROY (3YO, Colt)

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien

Sire: JUSTIFY
Dam: TOGETHER FOREVER
Dam’s Sire: GALILEO
No. of 1-2-3-Starts: 5-0-0-6

Last season’s leading European juvenile was expected to take all the beating on his seasonal reappearance in the 2000 Guineas but he failed to get competitive with his trainer blaming the poor run on himself and the colt getting worked up in the stalls. Put that run behind him with a brilliant display in the Derby Stakes at Epsom, showing a good mix of speed and stamina to power through the line, before landing the odds over 2000m in the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown despite the soft ground being deemed unsuitable. Sets the standard.

Most recent 3 races:

2024-07-06
Sandown
Eclipse Stakes (Group 1)
Placing:1

2024-06-01
Epsom
Derby Stakes (Group 1)
Placing:1

2024-05-04
Newmarket
2000 Guineas (Group 1)
Placing:9

AMBIENTE FRIENDLY (3YO, Colt)

Trainer: James Fanshawe

Sire: GLENEAGLES
Dam: ROXITY
Dam’s Sire: FASTNET ROCK
No. of 1-2-3-Starts: 2-1-2-6

Showed promise in two starts as a juvenile but has really come into his own this season, leaving the form of his reappearance behind to win a Derby trial over 2300m. Travelled supremely well in the Derby Stakes itself but didn’t get home quite as well as CITY OF TROY, finishing two and three quarter lengths second. It was a similar story when third in the Irish Derby at the Curragh where he went for home early before being outstayed and being caught for second close home. Promises to be suited by this first attempt over the shorter distance of 2000m.

Most recent 3 races:

2024-06-30
Curragh
Irish Derby (Group 1)
Placing:3

2024-06-01
Epsom
Derby Stakes (Group 1)
Placing:2

2024-05-11
Lingfield
Lingfield Derby Trial Stakes (Listed Race)
Placing:1

GHOSTWRITER (3YO, Colt)

Trainer: Clive Cox

Sire: INVINCIBLE SPIRIT
Dam: MOORSIDE
Dam’s Sire: CHAMPS ELYSEES
No. of 1-2-3-Starts: 3-0-1-6

Unbeaten first season culminated with victory in the G2 Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket. Returned to that venue for his first start at three, finishing a staying-on fourth in the 2000 Guineas despite stumbling at the start, and filled the same position on heavy ground in the French Derby at Chantilly a month later. Only two lengths behind CITY OF TROY in the Eclipse on soft ground and should be able to improve on the form he’s shown so far this season if granted his preferred faster underfoot conditions.

Most recent 3 races:

2024-07-06
Sandown
Eclipse Stakes (Group 1)
Placing:3

2024-06-02
Chantilly
Prix du Jockey Club (Group 1)
Placing:4

2024-05-04
Newmarket
2000 Guineas (Group 1)
Placing:4

CALANDAGAN (3YO, Gelding)

Trainer: Francis-Henri Graffard

Sire: GLENEAGLES
Dam: CALAYANA
Dam’s Sire: SINNDAR
No. of 1-2-3-Starts: 4-1-1-6

His two defeats came on debut – in a race won by this year’s French Guineas winner – and on his seasonal reappearance when going down narrowly to BRIGHT PICTURE who he comfortably beat when winning a G3 in April. Won another race at that level before stepping up to G2 company at Royal Ascot where he proved well suited by his first run on fast ground, running out a ready winner over 2400m. Stepping up to G1 company demands more but he’s done everything asked of him to date and looks exciting.

Most recent 3 races:

2024-06-21
Ascot
King Edward VII Stakes (Group 2)
Placing:1

2024-05-23
ParisLongchamp
Prix Hocquart (Group 3)
Placing:1

2024-04-14
ParisLongchamp
Prix Noailles (Group 3)
Placing:1

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