American sprinter Bacio surged ahead of his rivals from the start, delivering trainer Wesley Ward his inaugural victory in the Coolmore City of Troy Nunthorpe Stakes at York. Ward, a well‑known figure on the Keeneland circuit, has amassed 13 winners at Royal Ascot, yet the Knavesmire had remained a missing piece in his résumé.
He previously placed Acapulco second in 2015 and came agonisingly close two years later with Lady Aurelia, when Frankie Dettori celebrated only to discover he had been beaten a nose by Marsha. Entering the race as the 3/1 favourite, Bacio was backed to improve on his brilliant win in the Palace of Holyroodhouse at the Royal meeting in June.
Pre‑race chatter centred on the rain‑softened ground, but the three‑year‑old ignored any concerns, exploding out of the stalls with purpose. By the halfway point most of the field was already struggling to keep pace, and Bacio never looked vulnerable. He crossed the finish line a length and a quarter clear of Starlust, confirming his dominance. Jockey Juan Hernandez, who piloted the horse up the long York straight, was forced to make a rapid exit after the race.
He needed to catch a 6:30 p.m. flight from Heathrow to Los Angeles in time for the Pacific Classic at Del Mar. To meet the tight schedule he boarded a helicopter from the centre of the Knavesmire straight to the airport, leaving no time for a leisurely departure. During a brief trophy presentation, Hernandez praised the colt, saying, "The horse gave everything and had trained superbly.
He shipped well – many were worried about the ground, but he didn’t feel it. He broke out of the gate sharply, full of fire. I had to pull him back a little early, saving his energy for the finish. He won from the gate and everyone here has done a great job with him.
This win is for America and my family. Thank you!" Bacio's performance was part of a broader night of notable achievements.
Arapaho Gold extended his unbeaten streak to four by winning the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes. Trained by Michael Dods, the gelding had previously collected modest victories at Thirsk before stepping up to Listed class in the Rose Bowl at Newbury. In the Group Two contest he faced a higher calibre of opposition but handled it admirably under Connor Beasley, only briefly feeling pressure before rallying to beat Final Objective by three‑quarters of a length at 2/1. Dods, based in Darlington, has a rich history at York.
He guided Mecca's Angel to a second Nunthorpe win on this very day a decade earlier, and he also sent the popular sprinter Dakota Gold to six victories on the Knavesmire. Reflecting on Arapaho Gold's win, Dods said, "Once he was out and running I was happy. At halfway he was looking for room, and when it opened he quickened.
Connor said the last 100 yards he gave him some feel and he surged away. He's a good horse, this was a big step up and he took it in stride. When we wanted him to step up, he did, and he’ll step up again.
He's just a special horse, isn’t he?" Looking ahead, Dods outlined the colt's future campaign: "He’ll head to the Mill Reef at Newbury now, which will likely be his last run of the season, and we’ll decide next year’s targets. He’s got the speed for six furlongs, as you saw, and I think seven furlongs will suit him too. He quickens and gallops well. Planning is an interesting puzzle, but we’ll manage.
Having a horse like him in the yard is brilliant. Our luck at York has been great, but this win sits alongside the two Mecca's Angel victories and is unbelievable." Richard Brown, racing advisor to Wathnan Racing, whose runner‑up Final Objective finished second, praised the performance: "It was a massive run, a race that makes you delighted because the horse has delivered a huge effort. A furlong out I thought he’d win, he’s not always straightforward, and Hamad (Al Jehani) has done a great job training him – this is a career best, so we’ll keep him busy." Brown added, "He wandered a bit when he won at Thirsk last week and again here, so we’ll probably add a pair of cheekpieces. There’s a race in France, the Prix Eclipse, we could target, but we’ll sit down and decide what’s best for him." Adrian Keatley commented on the third‑placed Hell Of A Spin: "He’s a hardy little horse who gives his heart out and runs consistently well in these good races.
You’d like to think there’s a nice one in him one day; the trip or ground weren’t concerns, it was simply the winner who quickened away. He’s already placed in a Molecomb and Gimcrack. There could be a race in France later in the season – we’ll keep trying." The evening underscored the global nature of modern flat racing, with American‑trained horses making a decisive impact on British soil and the logistics of trans‑Atlantic travel adding a layer of drama.
Bacio’s victory not only secured Wesley Ward’s first York triumph but also highlighted the meticulous planning required to shuttle horses and jockeys across continents while maintaining peak performance. As the season progresses, fans can expect more cross‑border storylines, with trainers balancing domestic campaigns against lucrative opportunities abroad, such as the Pacific Classic at Del Mar, where Bacio’s connections will aim to replicate his York success on American turf. For those who want to stay updated on the latest racing news, interviews, and features, the Sky Sports Racing app offers real‑time alerts and in‑depth coverage, ensuring you never miss a moment of the sport’s ever‑evolving narrative.