Constitution River on course for huge Ombudsman clash

Aidan O’Brien has confirmed star three-year-old Constitution River is firmly on course for the Juddmonte International Stakes, as Ballydoyle take aim once again at Ombudsman in the York showpiece.

O’Brien’s Delacroix got the better of John and Thady Gosden’s star in the Coral-Eclipse last season, but had to settle for second in the rematch on the Knavesmire, a race the Irishman has won a record seven times and most recently with City Of Troy in 2024.

With Ombudsman proving at least as good as ever when defending his Prince of Wales’s Stakes title at Royal Ascot, O’Brien is now preparing to unleash his French Derby and Eclipse hero in what is sure to be a mouthwatering clash on day one of York’s Ebor Festival.

O’Brien said: “York is the plan, absolutely. Hopefully they all run there, Constitution River has been very good since Sandown and we’re looking forward to it.”

Constitution River’s stablemate Minnie Hauk was the latest to challenge Ombudsman, finishing second at the Royal meeting.

The dual Oaks heroine is another to hold an entry for York’s 10-furlong Group One and O’Brien mused over the best way to utilise the filly’s strengths after she faded into eighth when returned to her Classic-winning distance in Saturday’s King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.

“Maybe we should have taken our time a little bit more on Minnie going a mile and a half against older horses,” continued O’Brien.

“She ran well against Ombudsman last time and is pacey and has mile-and-a-quarter pace. She was up with the pace all the way so looking back maybe we should have ridden her a bit more patiently.”