Gleneagles, Golden Horn Showdown Looms

Coolmore and partners' dual Guineas winner Gleneagles looks likely to bypass a planned start in France and take on unbeaten Epsom Derby (Eng-I) victor Golden Horn in the Juddmonte International (Eng-I) Aug. 19 at York.

 

Gleneagles, a son of Galileo who took the group I English and Irish Guineas and the June 16 St. James's Palace Stakes (Eng-I) at Royal Ascot for three wins in as many starts this year, all at a mile, had been pointed to the Prix Jacques Le Marois (Fr-I) at the same distance Sunday, Aug. 16 at Deauville. But the likelihood of soggy ground at the French racecourse led his connections to look to the Juddmonte International Stakes (Eng-I) three days later on expected faster ground at York, although the colt would have to stretch out to 1 1/4 miles, further than he has ever raced.

 

"The chances of him running in the Prix Jacques Le Marois on Sunday are unfortunately fading with the forecast," trainer Aidan O'Brien said in a statement. "I've always considered Gleneagles a true miler but he needs good fast ground to be seen at his best, therefore York will probably be his next race as we are running out of options with him. It's a very sporting gesture by his owners."

 

Course conditions at York were "rated good to firm" on Aug. 11.

 

Anthony Oppenheimer's Golden Horn, a son of Cape Cross, has thus far been perfect. His five wins from as many career starts include the June 6 Epsom Derby, at 1 1/2 miles, bookended by victories in the Dante (Eng-II) May 4 at York and Coral Eclipse (Eng-I) July 4 at Sandown, both at about 1 1/4 miles for trainer John Gosden.

 

As a Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" race, the winner of the Juddmonte International will earn an automatic berth in the $3 million Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT) Oct. 31 at Keeneland.