American sprinter Bacio surged ahead of his rivals from the start, delivering trainer Wesley Ward his inaugural triumph in the Coolmore City of Troy Nunthorpe Stakes at York. Ward, a well‑known figure on the international circuit, has amassed 13 winners at Royal Ascot, yet a victory on the Knavesmire had long eluded him. His previous attempts included a close second with Acapulco in 2015 and a heartbreaking near‑miss in 2017 when Lady Aurelia, ridden by Frankie Dettori, was edged out by a nose by Marsha after a dramatic post‑race celebration.

Going into the race, Bacio was installed as the 3/1 favorite after a stunning win in the Palace of Holyroodhouse at the Royal meeting in June. Pre‑race chatter centred on the rain‑softened turf, but the three‑year‑old dismissed any concerns, breaking cleanly from the stalls and immediately establishing a commanding pace. By the halfway point most of the field was already struggling to keep up, and Bacio never looked vulnerable. He crossed the finish line a length and a quarter ahead of the runner‑up, Starlust, confirming his dominance.

The victory set off a flurry of logistical drama for jockey Juan Hernandez. After guiding Bacio to the win, he was required to make a swift exit for a 6:30 p.m. flight from Heathrow to Los Angeles, where he was scheduled to ride in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar. To meet the tight timetable, Hernandez boarded a helicopter from the centre of the Knavesmire straight to the airport, then transferred to his flight without a moment to spare.

During a brief trophy presentation in front of the Queen, he reflected on the performance: "The horse gave everything; he’d trained really well. He shipped beautifully – many were worried about the ground, but he didn’t feel it. He broke out of the gate sharp and was full of fire. I had to pull him back a little early, but that saved him for the finish.

He won from the gate, and everyone here did a fantastic job with him. This win is for America and my family.

Thank you!" The race card also featured Arapaho Gold, who extended his unbeaten streak to four with a win in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes. Trained by Michael Dods, the gelding had previously contested modest races at Thirsk and a Listed event at Newbury before stepping up to Group Two company at York.

Under jockey Connor Beasley, Arapaho Gold faced a brief challenge from Final Objective but rallied strongly, pulling away to win by three‑quarters of a length at 2/1 odds. Dods, a Darlington‑based trainer, has a rich history at York. He guided Mecca's Angel to a second Nunthorpe victory on this very day a decade ago and has also campaigned the popular sprinter Dakota Gold to six wins on the Knavesmire. Speaking after Arapaho Gold's triumph, Dods said, "Once he was out and running I was happy.

At halfway he was looking for a bit of room, and when it opened he really 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 want him to step up he does, and then steps up again.

He's just a wonderful horse, isn’t he?" Looking ahead, Dods outlined the colt's future campaign: "He’ll head to the Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury later this season, and that will probably be it for now. We'll reassess next year.

He has the speed for six furlongs, as you saw, and I don’t think seven will be a problem. He quickens and gallops beautifully.

Planning is a puzzle, but we’ll manage. Having him in the yard is brilliant.

We've had a lot of luck at York, but this win sits alongside the two Mecca's Angel victories and is unbelievable." Richard Brown, racing advisor to Wathnan Racing, whose horse Final Objective finished second, praised the effort: "It was a massive run, a race that makes you delighted because the horse gave everything. A furlong out I thought he was going to win; he’s not been straightforward, and Hamad (Al Jehani) has done a great job training him – this is a career best. We'll keep him busy." Brown added that the colt had shown a quirky temperament, noting, "He wandered about when he won at Thirsk last week and again here, so we might add 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, commenting on third‑placed Hell Of A Spin, said, "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 of these days. The trip or ground weren’t concerns; the winner simply quickened away. He’s been placed in a Molecomb and Gimcrack now.

There could be a race in France later in the season – we’ll keep trying." Overall, the Nunthorpe meeting highlighted the international flavour of British sprinting, with an American‑bred colt delivering a decisive win for an American trainer, a Dubai‑based gelding confirming his class, and several seasoned UK connections adding to their York pedigrees. The race also underscored the logistical challenges of modern racing, where jockeys and trainers must juggle trans‑Atlantic travel, tight flight schedules, and the ever‑present need to keep horses in peak condition across continents. Fans can stay updated on the latest racing news, interviews, and features through Sky Sports Racing and other dedicated platforms, ensuring that the excitement of events like the Nunthorse Stakes continues to resonate long after the finish line.