Speed Map
S1-4 International Stakes
Japanese challenger DUREZZA made the running when winning the Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger) and was a bit free early as well. He also led on his penultimate start and was again near the front when disappointing last time. It is hard to see him not forcing the pace. The O'Brien team though will try to control things with HANS ANDERSEN, CITY OF TROY ideally slotting in behind him to guarantee a nice trip on the inner. GHOSTWRITER looks poorly drawn in 13. BLUESTOCKING came from the rear in the fast-run King George at Ascot. AMBIENTE FRIENDLY travels very well and should loom into contention in the straight. CALANDAGAN is another that will come from a long way back and don't be surprised to see MALJOOM closing late.
Information provided by overseas vendor (as of 20 Aug 2024, 12nn)
CITY OF TROY
Racing Statistics
3W2P for favourites in the last five International Stakes
The favourite has enjoyed a good record in the International Stakes of late and came within a head of winning three of the five renewals. PADDINGTON was a rare disappointment last season when only third of four but was still beaten little more than a length by the winner. The likely favourite CITY OF TROY is seeking a hat-trick in G1 level here.
Selections by Bill Esdaile
S1-4 International Stakes
SELECTIONS: 12. CITY OF TROY, 11. CALANDAGAN, 9. BLUESTOCKING, 5. ISRAR & 8. ZARAKEM
1ST DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (36 unit bets):
S1-4 International Stakes:
Banker – 12. CITY OF TROY
Selections – 11. CALANDAGAN, 9. BLUESTOCKING, 5. ISRAR & 8. ZARAKEM
S1-5 3yo+ Handicap:
Banker – 2. DIVINE COMEDY
Selections – 9. GREAT BEDWYN, 13. FORZA ORTA, 5. TRITONIC & 1. SAMUI
Past Winners
The International Stakes, on the opening day of York’s Ebor Festival, is a race with a relatively short but glorious history, and has instantly put itself right on the map since John W. Galbreath’s ROBERTO, with Braulio Baeza sporting the indelible Darby Dan colors at the Knavesmire course, beat the mighty BRIGADIER GERARD, Joe Mercer aboard, for the inaugural edition back in 1972 – then raced as the Benson and Hedges Gold Cup. Widely regarded as the richest race at York, the 2000m middle distance contest witnessed rising stars GIANT’S CAUSEWAY, SEA THE STARS and FRANKEL to etch their names in the annals of the turf, and has been one of the top rated races in the “World’s Top 100 G1 Races” ranking in recent years. No horse has scored back-to-back victories in this century, but legendary trainers Sir Michael Stoute and Aidan O’Brien shared a record of six International Stakes wins.
