Item, trained by Andrew Balding and backed by his owners, produced a stunning 10‑to‑1 upset in the Judg‑Monte International at York, leaving the pre‑race favourites Constitution River and Ombudsman to finish only third and fourth respectively. The race began with Hawk Mountain taking the lead earlier than expected, while his stablemate Constitution River settled just behind him, eager and alert.
The odds‑on favourite Ombudsman, ridden by William Buick, was tucked away at the rear of the field, accompanied by another Aidan O'Brien entry, Action, which also stayed in the back group. As the field entered the long straight of the Knavesmire, Hawk Mountain still commanded the pace. At this point Buick began to make his move on the inside rail, while Ryan Moore, aboard Constitution River, started to accelerate, looking to make a late run with about two furlongs to go. Ombudsman continued to gain ground on the inside, but the decisive action came from the outside.
Ed Walker’s Almaqam surged ahead with just half a furlong left, only to be challenged by Item, who launched into full flight. In the final strides, Colin Keane guided Item to a hard‑won win, his head just crossing the line ahead of Almaqam. Balding’s triumph marked a personal milestone that his late father, Ian Balding – the legendary trainer of Mill Reef – never achieved. Reflecting on the victory, Andrew Balding said, “My dad didn’t have many opportunities to target this race, so it feels special to win it with a horse like Item.
It’s always one of the key fixtures of the season, and to claim it with a relatively unheralded runner is wonderful.” He continued, “We’ve entered him in a handful of good races because we believed he could handle them, and he’s kept improving both on the track and physically. That progression is what matters most.” The victory also highlighted the stark contrast between the horse that ran in the Dante and the one that triumphed today. “He’s a very different animal now, physically speaking,” Balding noted. “He’s developed a lot of strength and stamina since that run.” When asked about the horse’s future distance preferences, Balding was optimistic: “He can certainly stay a mile and a half if we ask him to.
He shows no sign of being limited to shorter trips.” He also gave credit to the stable staff for overcoming a last‑minute issue with Item’s feet that almost jeopardised his participation. “Everything was going smoothly up until declaration time when we discovered a small problem with his hooves. The team worked around the clock to fix it, and at 5 a.m.
we finally got him onto the plane to York. I’m incredibly relieved that everything fell into place.” Looking ahead, Balding admitted that the next target for Item remains undecided.
“We’ll have to sit down and let the dust settle after this big win. The Judg‑Monte International was always on our agenda, and now that we’ve secured it, we’ll consider the best next step for him.” The race itself was a masterclass in tactical riding. Hawk Mountain’s early speed set a strong tempo, forcing the front‑runners to expend energy early.
Constitution River, positioned just behind the leader, was forced to respond to the pace, while Ombudsman, despite being the favourite, was forced to navigate through traffic from the rear. The pivotal moment came when Buick, on Ombudsman, began to make a move on the inside rail, but the race’s decisive action unfolded on the outside, where Almaqam and Item clashed. Item’s late surge was a textbook example of a well‑timed run. Keane kept the horse relaxed in the early stages, allowing him to conserve energy.
As the field entered the final furlong, he asked for acceleration, and Item responded with a powerful stride, overtaking Almaqam in the closing meters. The finish was a photo‑finish, with Item’s head just edging ahead, confirming the upset. The victory also underscores the depth of talent in the current generation of middle‑distance horses. While Constitution River and Ombudsman entered the race with strong form and high expectations, Item demonstrated that with the right conditions and a patient ride, an outsider can prevail.
For racing fans, the result adds another chapter to the storied history of the Judg‑Monte International, a race that has produced memorable upsets and showcased the finest talent in the sport. The win also cements Andrew Balding’s reputation as a trainer capable of preparing horses for the biggest occasions, following in the footsteps of his father while forging his own path.
The broader racing community has taken note of the performance, with pundits praising both the horse’s improvement and the tactical acumen displayed by Keane and Balding. Social media buzzed with reactions ranging from surprise at the upset to admiration for the perseverance of the team behind Item. In summary, Item’s victory was a blend of strategic riding, patient training, and a touch of luck that overcame a last‑minute hoof issue.
It serves as a reminder that in horse racing, anything can happen on the day, and that perseverance, preparation, and a well‑timed run can turn a 10‑to‑1 outsider into a champion.