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 the win only to discover he had been edged out by a nose by Marsha. Entering the race as the 3/1 favourite, Bacio was backed by the confidence earned from a dazzling performance in the Palace of Holyroodhouse during the Royal meeting in June. Pre‑race chatter focused on the rain‑softened turf, but the three‑year‑old dismissed any doubts, breaking cleanly from the stalls and immediately asserting control.
By the halfway point most of the field was already struggling to stay within striking distance, and Bacio never looked vulnerable. He crossed the finish line a full one and a quarter lengths ahead of the runner‑up Starlust, confirming his dominance.
The victory came with a logistical scramble for jockey Juan Hernandez. After guiding Bacio up the York straight, he was whisked back to the weighing room to make a rapid exit for a 6:30 p.m. flight from Heathrow to Los Angeles, where he would compete in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar. To meet the tight schedule, Hernandez boarded a helicopter from the middle of the Knavesmire straight to the airport, leaving no time for delay.
During a brief trophy presentation, Hernandez praised the colt: "He gave everything today and had been training superbly. Many were concerned about the softer ground, but he didn’t feel it at all.
He broke from the gate with sharpness and fire, almost went out too early, but I was able to pull him back a touch and conserve energy for the finish. He won from the gate, and everyone involved has done a fantastic job with him.
This win is for America and my family. Thank you all!" The day also featured a standout performance from Arapaho Gold, who extended his unbeaten run to four wins by taking the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes. Trained by Michael Dods, the gelding had previously contested modest races at Thirsk, suffered a stall mishap at Beverley, and then stepped up to Listed class in the Rose Bowl at Newbury. In the Group Two contest at York, Arapaho Gold proved more than capable, briefly feeling pressure before regaining composure and pulling away to beat Final Objective by three‑quarters of a length at 2/1.
Dods, a Darlington‑based trainer, has a rich history at York, having guided Mecca's Angel to a second Nunthorpe win a decade earlier and sending out the popular sprinter Dakota Gold to six victories on the Knavesmire. "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," Dods explained.
"Connor just said the last 100 yards he gave him some feel the way he quickened away from them. He's a good horse, this was a big step up and he's taken everything in his stride. When we've wanted him to step up he has and he has stepped up again there. He's just some horse, isn’t he?" Looking ahead, Dods outlined Arapaho Gold's future campaign: "He'll head to the Mill Reef at Newbury now, which will likely be the end of his season, and we’ll reassess next year.
He has the speed for six furlongs, as you’ve seen, and I don’t think a seven‑furlong trip will be an issue. He quickens and gallops beautifully.
It’s an interesting puzzle planning his next moves, but we’ll manage. Having him in the yard is exciting, and it’s brilliant that we have him. York has given us a lot of luck, 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 runner‑up’s effort: "It was a massive run, a race that makes you delighted because the horse has given 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 performance, so we’ll keep him busy." Brown added that the team is already considering future targets: "He wandered a bit when he won at Thirsk last week and again here, so we might add a pair of cheekpieces.
There’s a race in France, the Prix Eclipse, that we could look at, but we’ll sit down and decide what’s best for him." Adrian Keatley, commenting on the third‑placed Hell Of A Spin, noted: "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, it was simply the winner who quickened away. He’s already placed in a Molecomb and Gimcrack. There could be a race in France towards the back‑end for him – we’ll keep trying." Overall, the day highlighted the international nature of modern flat racing, with American‑trained horses making a decisive impact on British soil.
Bacio’s win not only gave Wesley Ward his first York triumph but also underscored the effectiveness of trans‑Atlantic preparation, as the colt handled soft ground and a fast pace with aplomb. Meanwhile, Arapaho Gold’s unbeaten streak and the strong showings from Final Objective and Hell Of A Spin illustrate the depth of talent competing at the Group level. Fans can stay updated on the latest racing news, interviews, and features through Sky Sports Racing and other dedicated platforms, ensuring they never miss a story from the sport’s most exciting moments.