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. The three‑year‑old, who had already impressed with a dominant win in the Palace of Holyroodhouse at Royal Ascot in June, entered the race as the 3/1 favourite and lived up to expectations, cruising to the finish line a length and a quarter ahead of the nearest challenger, Starlust.
Ward, a well‑known figure on the U.S. racing circuit, has amassed 13 winners at Royal Ascot, yet the Knavesmire had remained a missing piece in his résumé.
He previously sent Acapulco to a runner‑up finish in 2015 and, two years later, Lady Aurelia appeared poised for glory until a photo finish saw Frankie Dettori celebrate only to discover Marsha had edged her out by a nose. Bacio’s triumph finally broke that pattern, giving Ward his first Group‑two success on British soil. The race unfolded under a sky that had threatened rain, but the ground softened only slightly, and Bacio proved unfazed.
From the moment the stalls opened, jockey Juan Hernandez guided the colt into a clean, forward‑going stride, quickly establishing a clear lead. As the field settled, most of his competitors struggled to match his pace, and by the halfway point Bacio was already several lengths ahead. He never looked back, maintaining a steady rhythm that left no room for a late surge from any rival.
When the finish line was crossed, the margin was unmistakable: Bacio ahead by one and a quarter lengths. The victory was not just a win for the horse and his connections, but also a symbolic moment for American racing on a historic British stage.
Immediately after the race, Hernandez was whisked away to the weighing room, then rushed to a helicopter that would ferry him from the middle of the Knavesmire to Heathrow Airport. He needed to catch a 6.30 p.m.
flight back to Los Angeles in time for the Pacific Classic at Del Mar, leaving him with barely a minute to spare. During a brief trophy presentation, Hernandez praised the colt’s performance: "The horse gave everything and was in top condition. He handled the ground beautifully, despite what many thought might be a problem for him.
He broke from the gate with great sharpness and fire. I had to pull him back a little early on, but that saved him for the final stages. He won the race from the gate, and everyone here has done a fantastic job with the horse.
This win is for America and for my family." His words captured the excitement of a day that had finally seen an American trainer break through at York. The card also featured a notable victory by Arapaho Gold, who 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 setback when he acted up in the stalls at Beverley, stepped up to Listed class at Newbury’s Rose Bowl. In the Group‑two contest, he faced a higher level of competition but responded admirably under jockey Connor Beasley.
After a fleeting moment of pressure, Arapaho Gold found his rhythm, accelerated in the closing stages, and held off Final Objective by three‑quarters of a length. Dods, a long‑time York specialist, reflected on the achievement: "Once he was out and running I was happy. At halfway he was looking for a bit of room, but when it opened he really quickened up.
Connor said the last 100 yards he gave him some feel, and he responded brilliantly. He's a good horse; this was a big step up and he took it in stride. When we've wanted him to step up, he has, and he’s stepped up again. He's just a special horse, isn’t he?" Looking ahead, Dods outlined Arapaho Gold’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 see where we go next year.
He has the speed for six furlongs, as you’ve just seen, and I don’t think there’ll be any problem extending to seven. He quickens up and gallops beautifully.
It’s an interesting puzzle, but we’ll manage it. Having a horse like him in the yard is brilliant." Dods also compared this win to his past successes at York, noting that it ranks alongside his two Nunthorpe victories with Mecca’s Angel a decade earlier and the six‑time triumphs of sprinter Dakota Gold on the same course. Runner‑up Final Objective’s owner, Wathnan Racing, and advisor Richard Brown, praised the effort: "It was a massive run; you’re delighted because the horse has delivered a huge performance.
A furlong out I thought he was going to win. He hasn’t 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 horse’s recent behavior at Thirsk—where he wandered a bit before winning—might be addressed with a pair of cheekpieces. He also hinted at a potential trip to France for the Prix Eclipse, saying, "We’ll have a sit‑down and decide what’s best for him." Third‑placed Hell Of A Spin received commendation from trainer Adrian Keatley, who described the colt as a "hardy little horse who tries his heart out and runs consistently well in these good races." Keatley suggested that the horse may yet reveal a higher level of ability: "You’d like to think there’s a nice one in him one of these days.
The trip or ground weren’t a concern; it was just the winner quickening away. He’s been placed in a Molecomb and Gimcrack now. There could be a race in France towards the back‑end for him – we’ll keep trying." Overall, the Nunthorpe meeting at York delivered a mix of historic breakthroughs, emerging talent, and strategic planning for future campaigns.
Bacio’s front‑running dominance, Arapaho Gold’s unbeaten streak, and the thoughtful comments from trainers and owners highlighted the depth of competition and the international flavor that now defines British sprint racing. Fans can stay updated with the latest racing news, interviews, and features on their mobile devices, ensuring they never miss a story from the sport they love.