Ombudsman and Daryz set for Prince of Wales Stakes showdown
Ombudsman and Daryz – two of the highest-rated horses in the world – are set for a mouthwatering encounter in the Group 1 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes (2005m), the highlight of Wednesday’s second day of Royal Ascot.
If there had been any doubt before, Ombudsman announced his elite middle-distance status last year with victory in this race – a victory that appeared remote as William Buick searched for space to challenge up the Ascot straight but, once the gaps came, Ombudsman’s response was electric.
His trademark acceleration and determination have resulted in two more Group 1 triumphs – in York’s Group 1 International Stakes (2051m) and Meydan’s Group 1 Dubai Turf (1800m) in the United Arab Emirates.
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There followed a two-month break before preparing for this race with a narrow victory in the Group 3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes (1990m) at Sandown last month. With only a neck to spare over the progressive Gethin on that occasion, Buick said he never panicked.
Ombudsman (2.30) is the favourite with international betting sites to win the Prince of Wales Stakes, but there is also plenty of money about for Daryz (2.90), Minnie Mauk (7.00) and Almaqam (8.00).
“There was never a moment’s worry. He had to give weight to some genuine Stakes performers, but John and Thady (Gosden) had him spot on for what he needed to do there and he is a horse who will always do what is needed,” he said.
A fast pace along with anticipated quick ground will be important factors in Ombudsman’s favour.
Daryz won last year’s Group 1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2400m) with a thrilling head victory over his main rival in Wednesday’s feature, Minnie Hauk. He has since done something rarely achieved by an Arc winner by successfully dropping back in trip.
Those two Group 1 ParisLongchamp victories this year – April’s Prix Ganay World Pool by PMU (2100m) and the Prix Aga Khan IV (Prix d’Ispahan, 1850m) – were both won in devastating style, catching even trainer Francis-Henri Graffard by surprise.
“He amazed me with his powerful turn of foot in those two races this spring. We need to look after him carefully as he is a strong and powerful horse who likes to dictate what he wants to do, but I think I have him where I want him physically and mentally in preparation for this great race at Ascot,” said the Chantilly trainer about the muscular son of Sea The Stars who will be partnered as usual by Mickael Barzalona.
So much of the discussion has centred on the confrontation between Ombudsman and Daryz that it is easy to overlook some other serious middle-distance performers will line up in the feature.
Before her 2025 Arc second, Minnie Hauk had landed a Group 1 trio of the English Oaks (2405m), Irish Oaks (2400m) and Yorkshire Oaks (2371m). She was well below her brilliant best in the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup (2100m) at the Curragh last month, but Aidan O’Brien said they were willing to forgive this effort.
“We’ve just put a line through her run there,” he said.
“What happened was that the pace went out of the race and she had no chance from where she was. Ryan (Moore) looked after her once her chance had gone.”
The impressive winner that day was Ed Walker-trained Almaqam, ridden by Kieran Shoemark, who romped to a decisive two-length victory over Bay City Roller. The colt could hardly have done more to reinforce the credibility of that performance when winning the Group 1 Coronation Cup (2405m) at Epsom this month. Good ground or slower would play best into Almaqam’s hands.
