Ombudsman (5-4) delivered a dominant display to headline a 206-1 British Champions Day treble at Ascot for jockey William Buick. The Godolphin number one also captured the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Talk Of New York (3-1) and the Balmoral Handicap riding Fifth Column (22-1), either side of the Qatar Racing Champion Stakes.
Ombudsman Powers Clear in Champion Stakes
Much of the pre-race money was for Ombudsman, who faced Calandagan, the horse that had beaten him a year earlier. However, the anticipated showdown never materialised as the John and Thady Gosden trainee surged clear to win by almost four lengths in the closing stages of the ten-furlong contest.
“They are two great racehorses, him and Calandagan, they produced a great race last year and it was our turn today,” Buick said. “I knew I came here today with good rides. Ombudsman is a horse who gets your heart rate up.
“He's a joy to ride every time. He showed his versatility today, has a great racing brain and goes down as one of the best.”
Breeders' Cup Turf Under Consideration
Gosden senior is considering one more run in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, subject to approval from the owners. “The ground today is on the slow side of good, he can handle that, at York he just spun his wheels, but today it was back to seeing what he is,” he said.
“Golden Horn didn't enjoy it at Keeneland because it was like a sandpit when he ran and it rained three inches, but this horse, he’d handle it well, he’s quick, he’s agile, he could have sat on the lead if he'd wanted to today.
“He's the right type of horse and I think the track would suit him so it's a possibility; we don't have to make a rapid decision.”
Third Ascot Win for Ombudsman
Ombudsman, who was bouncing back from a fourth in the Group One Juddmonte International, now has three Ascot wins to his name, having become the first horse in 31 years to win back-to-back Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot in the summer.
