Ghaiyyath Bids to Run Rivals Ragged in International

Ghaiyyath has grown up this year. Capable of flashes of brilliance in 2019, mixed with the occasional disappointment, he now appears the finished article and is producing those moments of magic more regularly.

Winner of both his group 1 starts in Britain this year—the Hurworth Bloodstock Coronation Cup and Coral-Eclipse—his catch-me-if-you-can tactics are fast making him a favorite with the public.

Certain to head the market for York's £275,000 Juddmonte International (G1), Ghaiyyath will endeavor to recruit more members to his fan club by once again setting out to make all under William Buick.

York lends itself particularly well to front-running, and it will take a performance of extraordinary class to reel him in based on what he has shown at Newmarket and Sandown this summer, where, among others, he lowered the colors of Enable, Anthony Van Dyck, and Stradivarius.

"This could be one of the best races of the season and it's exciting to be part of it," trainer Charlie Appleby said.

"It is the first time the top 3-year-olds will be taking on the older horses at this trip this season.

"The Juddmonte was always the plan for Ghaiyyath. He has proven himself at the highest level, most recently in the Eclipse, where he was coming back in distance.

"I've been asked whether I was surprised at the way he won the Coronation Cup, and the honest answer is 'no.' You don't win a group 1 by 14 lengths like he did in Germany by being just an OK horse. You've got to be pretty special—and he is special."

Ghaiyyath simply pulverized his rivals at Baden-Baden, but weakened tamely after setting the pace in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) at Longchamp subsequently, finishing 10th of 12 behind Waldgeist.

The million-dollar question those waiting for the Knavesmire action to unfold are asking themselves is 'will any horse be capable of passing him?'

And even if the answer is yes, there is a tantalizing possibility that the far more mature Ghaiyyath will be able to battle back and regain the lead.

The 5-year-old certainly showed powers of resilience when challenged by super-mare Enable in the Eclipse, and stayed on strongly to beat her by 2 1/4 lengths.

The ground won't bother Ghaiyyath.

"That day at Baden-Baden the ground rode on the fast side of good. Before that we thought he was more comfortable on a slower surface, but what he has shown us since on quicker ground knocks that theory out of the park," Appleby said.

"He was digging deep over the final furlong in the Eclipse, yet he came back fine. It was no harder race for him than the Coronation Cup, which he won going an end-to-end gallop over a mile and a half in record time.

"He showed maturity at Sandown. He showed he was manageable in a race, which is the result of growing up."

In what is rightly being billed as the race of the season so far, Ghaiyyath's growing maturity could be the key to the outcome of this eagerly anticipated group 1.

As part of the international Breeders' Cup Challenge series, the International awards the winner an automatic berth in the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) Nov. 7 at Keeneland.

Magical to Try for Seventh Group 1

If you're looking at raw statistics, then it's hard not to be drawn to the chance of the admirable and richly talented 5-year-old mare Magical.

The daughter of Galileo is the winner of six group 1s during an illustrious career, double what hot favorite Ghaiyyath has achieved.

Admittedly, she has competed 12 times more than Godolphin's contender, but that record is undoubtedly testament to both her class and fortitude.

Runner-up to Enable in the Darley Yorkshire Oaks (G1) last year, Magical bids to go one better on the Knavesmire following two group 1 wins at the Curragh this summer where she has looked as good as ever.

She didn't have to use up too much energy to defeat Sir Dragonet by 2 1/4 lengths in the Tattersalls Gold Cup (G1) last month, and it's not difficult to envisage Ryan Moore stalking Ghaiyyath before piling on the pressure early in the straight. After all, there are few tougher group 1 performers than Magical, and the rider will surely be keen to expose any weaknesses in the favorite's make-up some way from home.

Magical has pleased Aidan O'Brien since the Curragh, and goes into battle with a ringing endorsement from the Ballydoyle maestro who bids to land the International for a record seventh time.

"She's in good form and we're very happy with how everything has gone for her on her first two starts of the season at the Curragh," he said.

"She's a great mare and her record speaks for itself. We're looking forward to running her."

Lord North exploded onto the big-race scene at Royal Ascot with a commanding victory in the Prince of Wales's Stakes (G1).

The manner in which he destroyed Addeybb, who was fresh from two group 1 wins in Australia, suggested he could prove a match for any at this level.

Lord North has come a long way in a short time since winning the Cambridgeshire off a mark of 98 last season, and now boasts an official rating of 124.

Trainer John Gosden believes the 4-year-old, who will be ridden by James Doyle, is capable of producing a "great performance."

"It's a very good race and he deserves to be there," Gosden said. "I've got plenty of respect for the favorite and for the second favorite Magical, they set a very high standard.

"They're both magnificent and their form this year has been nearly better than ever. For a purist it's a wonderful race and we're pleased to be part of it.

"Lord North has been in great form since Ascot. He was in the Eclipse, but we've just come here so he's a fresh horse. He's well and is ready to put in a great performance."

Rose of Kildare has an enormous amount to find on ratings, being ranked 24 pounds below Ghaiyyath on 103.

She won the Tattersalls Musidora (G3) over course and distance last time in fine style, though, and shocks have been known to occur in this race.

No Sleep for Kameko Team

Those closest to Kameko were anticipating a sleepless night on Tuesday ahead of his thrilling clash with older rivals Ghaiyyath, Magical, and Lord North in the International.

It wasn't a reaction to the fact that recent winners of the QIPCO Two Thousand Guineas (G1) have failed to cover themselves in glory after landing the Newmarket classic, but rather the sheer excitement felt at the prospect of what promises to be a thrilling race.

David Redvers, racing manager to Kameko's owners, Qatar Racing, said: "This race has got everything.

"The (Qatar) Sussex Stakes (G1) was a strongly exciting race, although things didn't fall for us, but this takes it to a different level.

"It's one of the best horse races we've ever been involved with, and we're going there full of hope rather than in expectation. Everybody will be having a sleepless night tonight."

Kameko has been beaten in both his starts since storming up the Rowley Mile to beat Wichita by a neck in the Guineas in June.

The dual group 1 scorer comprehensively failed to stay 1 1/2 miles in the Investec Derby (G1) when finishing fourth behind Serpentine as 5-2 favorite, and suffered a nightmare passage when occupying the same position behind Mohaather in the Sussex Stakes.

Trapped on the inside from over two furlongs out, Kameko was locked up with nowhere to go at Goodwood, and there was never any point when Oisin Murphy could escape from the pocket. He finished hard on the bridle.

The three winners of the Two Thousand Guineas immediately before Kameko—Churchill (2017), Saxon Warrior (2018), and Magna Grecia (2019)—managed to land only one subsequent race between them, but that information is unlikely to bother Redvers.

"Andrew (Balding) and Oisin have been delighted with Kameko since Goodwood," he said.

"They feel that he has sharpened up. We don't know if he'll stay an extended mile and a quarter in such company, but after Kameko won the Guineas we were all saying that we couldn't wait to step him up to this sort of trip.

"It may turn out that a mile is his optimum, but we genuinely don't know yet. Maybe our judgement has been clouded by Roaring Lion, who was a similar type of horse.

"Kameko has a similar constitution to Roaring Lion and a similar mind. We've always felt this could be his trip; we'll find out on Wednesday."

Roaring Lion improved with almost every run during his 3-year-old campaign after finishing fifth to Saxon Warrior in the Guineas, and ended 2018 with group 1 victories in the Eclipse, International, QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes (G1), and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (G1).

He was effective at a mile or a mile and a quarter, and there is a strong possibility Kameko will follow in his hoofprints.

If he manages to emulate Roaring Lion by landing this great race connections are unlikely to get too much sleep on Wednesday night either.