Arabian Queen holds off Golden Horn in shock 50-1 Juddmonte win

Arabian Queen caused arguably the biggest upset of the season in flooring Derby and Eclipse winner Golden Horn with a battling success in the Juddmonte International at York.

Showing a willing resolve, the 50-1 shot answered everything asked of her by title-chasing jockey Silvestre de Sousa to claim a shock victory in the Group One event and bring to an end the unbeaten run of John Gosden’s Epsom hero.

In a slight change of tactics, the David Elsworth-trained three-year-old was anchored in behind Dick Doughtywylie, pacemaker for Golden Horn, instead of assuming her usual front-running role.

Having raced prominently throughout, Arabian Queen hit the front well over two furlongs out, just as Golden Horn, who was being closely tracked by The Grey Gatsby, began to make his move.

Although Frankie Dettori had to get serious aboard the 4-9 favourite it looked like he was in line to pick up the Jeff Smith-owned filly.

But as Golden Horn ranged up to Arabian Queen, she was not to be denied, finding just enough to stick her head out in front where it mattered and score by a neck.

Both Dettori and Gosden felt Golden Horn had raced too keenly and found his turn of foot blunted by the ground, which had led to Aidan O’Brien’s dual 2000 Guineas winner Gleneagles being a withdrawal.

Dettori said: “He was too fresh, having missed the King George. He pulled hard and wasted a lot of energy. He couldn’t skip away on that ground like he usually does.”

Gosden said: “The pacemaker missed the kick and then he ended up too far clear.

“Golden Horn was too fresh and keen and he did too much, too early. Frankie found it hard to settle him for the first six furlongs and he gassed himself out.

“He got in front, but I think we know now he’s definitely better on faster ground and the filly just outstayed him.

“It was a real pity it rained and a real pity Gleneagles didn’t run.

“You could see he was throwing his head about and he simply burnt too much petrol.

“The filly had run in the Nassau so take nothing away from her, she’s very good.

“In hindsight we may have been better sitting just behind the pacemaker, but hindsight is wonderful. The fact Dick Doughtywylie was still six lengths clear three furlongs out tells you everything.

“We could go on to an Arc trial, but he might have to make his own running there so quicker ground will obviously help.”

De Sousa was full of praise for the winner, who finished third in the Nassau at Goodwood last time out.

He said: “She’s not an easy filly to deal with, she can be a bit of a madam at home. She has her own ideas about the game, but is obviously very talented.

“I had a clear run, picked the pacemaker up two furlongs out and I always felt I had a bit left.

“I couldn’t say I was confident coming here – she was 50-1 – but she had been third in a Group One on her last run, she’s bred to get further and ran right to the line.”

Storm The Stars gave his St Leger hopes a major boost after grinding out a slender victory in a dramatic Great Voltigeur Stakes at York.

The ante-post favourite for the final Classic of the season at Doncaster next month repelled the late thrust of Bondi Beach to get the better of a rousing finish to the mile-and-a-half Group Two prize.

Racing just in behind the early pace set by Medrano, the Investec Derby third moved into the lead on the run down to the final two furlongs.

Although in control, it looked as though the William Haggas-trained colt was to be a sitting duck for the strong-travelling pair of Tashaar and Bondi Beach.

As the former saw his run come to an end when asked the question, it was left to the 3-1 winner and Aidan O’Brien’s 11-4 favourite to battle it out.

Despite drifting across the track, Storm The Stars showed just what a tough character he is by digging deep to pull out victory by half a length, and while a stewards’ inquiry was immediately called the placings ultimately remained unaltered.

Winning rider Pat Cosgrave said: “I popped out to make the running, then the other horse (Medrano) took me on so I let him get on with it. I just did my own thing. To be fair, he’s tough and has battled for it, but he wanted it more than the second horse.

“He’s very excitable, that’s why he’s run so many times. You can’t keep on top of him at home. He just wants to race. I think there will be improvement from today.”

Haggas said: “He’s tough. I’m delighted with my horse. He’s a very tough, hardy resilient horse and they often lug to the left on this track as the bend turns into the left, it’s like Windsor in that respect.

“He’s tough and hardy, has done extremely well and bounced back very well so that should put him spot on (for the St Leger), not so much physically as mentally.

“He got a bit sweaty today, he’s been off for a bit, but he’s just hard horse.”

In the live televised inquiry on Channel 4, Cosgrave admitted his horse had given Bondi Beach “a bump” but was adamant he was “going away at the end and the best horse won”.

Joseph O’Brien in contrast, felt the bump “had cost him the race” on Bondi Beach.

RaceBets cut Storm The Stars to 7-2 favourite from 5-1 for Doncaster on September 12th, with Bondi Beach an 11-2 chance (from 12-1).

Assessing his Doncaster chance, Haggas said: “It’s three and a half weeks to the Leger now and whether he will stay the extra two furlongs, I don’t know. He won’t have to attack so early, though, which is one thing. It will be a different type of race, run at a different pace.

“I knew beforehand that Aidan liked his a lot, so we will probably see a lot of him again.

“Whatever happens in the Leger, he’s had a fantastic year. He’s done us proud and I think there’s every chance he will stay in training next season. Put it this way, I’ll be putting a padlock on the door!”

Michael Tabor said of the Coolmore-owned runner-up: “He’s run a good race. The Derby form is there for all to see.

“You would have to say he would be our number one Leger horse now.”