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 from Keeneland, has celebrated 13 wins at Royal Ascot, yet a triumph on the Knavesmire had long eluded him.
His previous best efforts included a runner‑up finish with Acapulco in 2015 and a heartbreaking near‑miss in 2017 when Lady Aurelia, under Frankie Dettori, crossed the line a nose behind Marsha despite Dettori’s jubilant celebration. Entering the race as the 3/1 favourite, Bacio was poised to improve on his recent success in the Palace of Holyroodhouse during the Royal meeting in June. Pre‑race chatter centred on the rain‑softened turf, but the three‑year‑old dismissed those concerns, bolting from the stalls with confidence.
Once the race was underway, Bacio quickly established a commanding lead, forcing his opponents to scramble to keep pace. By the halfway point he was already well clear, and he never looked vulnerable to a late challenge.
He crossed the finish line a full length and a quarter ahead of the second‑placed Starlust, confirming his dominance. The victory came with a logistical scramble for jockey Juan Hernandez.
After guiding Bacio to the win, Hernandez was whisked away to the weighing room for a rapid exit. He faced a tight schedule: a 6:30 p.m. flight from Heathrow to Los Angeles, essential for his participation in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar.
To make the connection, he boarded a helicopter from the centre of the Knavesmire straight to the airport, leaving no time for delay. During a brief trophy presentation, Hernandez praised the colt, saying, "The horse gave everything.
He trained brilliantly, shipped exceptionally well, and the ground never seemed to affect him. He broke from the gate with sharpness and fire, and even though he tried to go early, I was able to settle him for a strong finish. This win belongs to America and my family—thank you all!" The day also highlighted other notable performances.
Arapaho Gold extended his unbeaten streak to four victories by winning the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes. Trained by Michael Dods, the gelding had previously collected modest wins at Thirsk and, after a brief withdrawal due to a stall incident at Beverley, stepped up to Listed class in the Rose Bowl at Newbury. In the Group Two contest at York, Arapaho Gold faced a higher calibre of competition but rose to the occasion under jockey Connor Beasley. After a fleeting moment of pressure, he rallied decisively, holding off Final Objective 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 earlier and has saddled the popular sprinter Dakota Gold to six wins on the Knavesmire.
Reflecting on Arapaho Gold’s performance, Dods noted, "Once he was out and running I was pleased. At halfway he searched for a bit of room, and when it opened he accelerated beautifully. Connor said the last 100 yards felt like the horse was truly enjoying himself.
He’s a quality horse, handling a big step up with ease. When we ask him to step up, he does, and he does it again.
He’s a remarkable animal." Looking ahead, Dods outlined the colt’s future campaign. "He’ll target the Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury next, which will likely conclude his season.
After that we’ll assess options for next year. He’s got the speed for six furlongs and I don’t foresee any issues extending to seven. He quickens and gallops with enthusiasm—planning his program is an interesting puzzle, but we’ll manage.
It’s fantastic to have such a horse in the yard. Our luck at York has been extraordinary, and this win sits alongside the two Mecca's Angel victories as a career highlight." Richard Brown, racing adviser for 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 delivered a huge performance. A furlong out I thought he might win; he’s not always straightforward, and Hamad (Al Jehani) has done a great job training him.
This is a career‑best effort, so we’ll keep him busy." Brown also hinted at future plans, mentioning potential equipment changes and international targets: "He wandered a bit 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 consider, but we’ll sit down and decide what’s best for him." Adrian Keatley, commenting on third‑placed Hell Of A Spin, added, "He’s a hardy little horse who gives his heart out and runs consistently well in these quality races. You’d like to think there’s a top‑class spark in him one day.
The trip and ground weren’t issues; the winner simply quickened away. He’s already placed in the Molecomb and Gimcrack, and a French race later in the season could suit him.
We’ll keep trying." Overall, the day at York showcased the global nature of sprint racing, with an American‑bred colt delivering a dominant performance for a US‑based trainer, while British trainers and owners celebrated homegrown talent. The Nunthorpe Stakes, a prestigious Group One sprint over five furlongs, continues to be a proving ground for speed, stamina, and tactical acumen, and this year’s edition added another memorable chapter to its storied history.