Ombudsman produced 'one of the great performances' to lower the colours of the first and second from last year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on Wednesday at Royal Ascot.
Dominant Victory
The five-year-old, trained by father and son John and Thady Gosden, announced himself on the big stage with victory in the £1 million race 12 months ago. This time he faced a stellar list of opponents including French colt Daryz and the Aidan O'Brien-trained triple Classic-winning Minnie Hauk.
Daryz and Minnie Hauk had finished first and second at Paris-Longchamp last October, crossing the line just a head apart. Their clash with Godolphin-owned Ombudsman was over 1m2f, two furlongs shorter than the Arc distance.
Race Dynamics
A strong pace was required to expose any chinks in the armour of 11-10 favourite Ombudsman as O'Brien's Mississippi River and Devil's Advocate, the Gosdens' representative, turned into the straight, having gapped the rest of the field.
Ombudsman was held up in last place, but as Minnie Hauk and Daryz launched their challenges, William Buick launched the favourite to their outside and swept on by to score by four lengths.
Trainer's Reaction
John Gosden said: 'Aidan (O'Brien) had a pacemaker and we thought we would have ours doing what we wanted to do as well so they wound up meeting as they came off the bend so they obviously agreed on the pace.
'A furlong and a half to go I thought 'they are going to have to get to them' but this horse has got a turn of foot, great acceleration for a mile and a quarter horse and he just showed that class.
'It was quite something to come away from the field like that. The filly (Minnie Hauk) ran great, the Arc winner Daryz ran great. I thought it was one of the great performances of his career.
'The Juddmonte International would be the major target. He likes York.'
Jockey's Perspective
Buick, riding his 40th winner at the meeting, now rates Ombudsman among the best horses he has ridden.
'What he did there was mind blowing,' he said. 'His turn of foot is that of a miler but he stays 10 furlongs, it was an amazing performance.
'I was comfortable the whole way, it was very smooth and all credit to the horse. I've ridden some amazing horses but this horse has an electric turn of foot and he must be right up there.'
