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 Keeneland circuit, has amassed thirteen winners at Royal Ascot, yet a victory on the Knavesmire had always slipped through his fingers.
He previously placed Acapulco second in 2015 and, two years later, saw Lady Aurelia appear to win before Frankie Dettori discovered she had been edged out by a nose by Marsha. Entering the race as the 3/1 favourite, Bacio was backed to finally break the hoodoo for Ward.
The three‑year‑old had already impressed with a stunning win in the Palace of Holyroodhouse at the Royal meeting in June. Pre‑race worries about the rain‑softened turf proved unfounded; as soon as the stalls opened, Bacio launched himself into the lead and never looked back. By the halfway point most of his competitors were already struggling to match his pace, and he maintained a comfortable margin all the way to the finish, crossing the line a length and a quarter ahead of the runner‑up, Starlust. The victory came with a logistical scramble for jockey Juan Hernandez.
After guiding Bacio to the win, Hernandez was whisked back to the weighing room and then rushed to a helicopter that would ferry him from the middle of the Knavesmire to Heathrow. He needed to catch a 6.30 p.m.
flight back to Los Angeles in time for the Pacific Classic at Del Mar. The tight schedule left him with no spare minutes.
During a brief trophy presentation, Hernandez praised the colt, saying, "The horse gave everything and had been trained exceptionally well. He handled the ground perfectly, despite many people’s concerns. He broke out of the gate sharp and full of fire. I had to pull him back a little early on, but that saved him for the finish.
He won right from the gate. Everyone involved has done a fantastic job with this horse. This win is for America and my family.
Thank you!" Bacio's performance was a testament to Ward's training methods and the colt’s innate speed. The win also highlighted the growing trans‑Atlantic partnership between American owners and British race‑course specialists, a trend that has enriched the global sprinting scene. In other news from York, 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 contested modest races at Thirsk and, after a brief withdrawal caused by a stall incident at Beverley, stepped up to Listed class in the Rose Bowl at Newbury. He proved his class once more in the Group Two contest, briefly feeling pressure before regaining composure and pulling away to beat Final Objective by three‑quarters of a length at 2/1 odds. Dods, a Darlington‑based trainer, has a storied history at York.
He guided Mecca's Angel to a second Nunthorpe victory a decade ago and has sent out the popular sprinter Dakota Gold to six wins on the Knavesmire. Speaking after Arapaho Gold’s win, Dods said, "Once he was out and running I was happy. At halfway he was looking for a bit of room, but once it opened he really quickened up.
Connor gave him a little feel in the last 100 yards and he responded beautifully. He's a great horse; this step up was no problem for him." Looking ahead, Dods outlined the colt’s future campaign: "He’ll go to the Mill Reef at Newbury now, which will probably be the end of his season, and we’ll decide next year’s plan. He has the speed for six furlongs and I think seven furlongs will suit him too.
It’s an interesting puzzle, but we’ll work it out. Having a horse like this in the yard is fantastic. Our luck at York has been remarkable, and this win sits alongside the two Mecca's Angel victories – it’s unbelievable." Richard Brown, racing advisor for Wathnan Racing, whose horse Final Objective finished second, praised his runner’s effort: "It was a massive run, and I’m delighted because the horse delivered a huge performance.
A furlong out I thought he might win. He’s not always straightforward, but Hamad (Al Jehani) has done a great job training him, and this is a career‑best.
We’ll keep him busy." Brown added, "He wandered a bit when he won at Thirsk last week, and he did the same here, so we may 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 horse, Hell Of A Spin: "He’s a hardy little horse who gives his all and runs consistently well in these good races. You’d like to think there’s a nice one in him one day.
The trip and ground weren’t an issue; the winner just 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." Overall, the day at York showcased the depth of sprinting talent across both sides of the Atlantic, underscored the importance of rapid logistics for international connections, and highlighted the strategic planning that trainers and owners employ to maximize a horse’s career. The Nunthorpe Stakes, a historic Group One sprint, once again delivered drama, surprise, and a reminder that in horse racing, preparation, speed, and a bit of luck can combine to produce unforgettable moments.