Archivist hammers Strensall field in York opener
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Sat 22 Aug 2026
Archivist turned what looked a competitive renewal of the Sky Bet Strensall Stakes at York into a procession under Callum Rodriguez.
A winner at the Knavesmire last summer, Hamad Al Jehani’s charge was last seen springing a minor surprise in the Golden Mile at Goodwood three weeks ago.
The four-year-old faced a step up in class for the Group Three opener on Ebor day and was priced up accordingly at 9-1, but the further he went the better he looked, with seven and a half lengths the winning margin.
Saber Strike kept responding to pressure to fill the runner-up spot, with Persica third and 11-4 favourite Damysus – like the winner owned by Wathnan Racing – back in fourth.
Al Jehani said: “He’s improving quickly. After the Golden Mile at Goodwood we knew he was improving and he’d been training nicely.
“We were waiting for this race and he’s won in a very good way again, I’m very happy for the team. I hope he’s a Group One horse. We’ll enjoy this, my first winner at York, so we’ll make a plan tomorrow.”
Wathnan’s racing adviser, Richard Brown, added: “That has slightly taken us all by surprise. We thought he had a big chance and James (Doyle, riding Damysus) had a difficult choice – we thought he was still progressing.
“We can probably be quite brave now. Hamed did ask ‘what next?’, but I just said next go and get the trophy! We’ll think about it later.
“I think a bend is important to him. I know there’s a long straight here, but the bend helps him settle.. Callum said he went way too soon but he was going so well he had no option.”
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