Caballo De Mar rebounded from lackluster performances at Royal Ascot and York to secure victory in the Betfred Howards Wright Doncaster Cup, reaffirming his status as a top‑class stayer. The five‑year‑old had been the subject of speculation after finishing last in the Gold Cup and then dropping back quickly to take fourth in the Lonsdale Cup at York, prompting doubts about whether he still possessed the stamina and heart required for the grueling two‑mile‑four‑furlong test.
Yet, under the guidance of jockey Oisín Murphy, the George Scott‑trained horse turned those doubts on their head. From a furlong out, Caballo De Mar assumed the lead on Town Moor, extending his advantage to a clear length and a quarter ahead of the Turkish‑bred Beylerbeyi. He did so as the 5‑6 favourite, confirming the confidence of his connections and the betting public alike. The race itself had been unsettled before the gates even opened: the anticipated favourite Queenstown was withdrawn, and Emmet Mullins’s Winday caused a brief chaos at the start, expending energy and ultimately fading to finish last of the seven runners.
In contrast, Caballo De Mar stayed composed, displayed a powerful turn of foot, and proved why he was the market’s top choice. Trainer George Scott expressed his enthusiasm for the performance, noting that the Doncaster win sets the stage for a return to continental competition.
"We needed to see that from him today if we wanted to go back to Paris with him, as he's two from two there – we just have to hope Scandinavia doesn't turn up there. If he doesn't then he's going to be a player," Scott said. He added that the horse thrives at Longchamp, loving both the tempo and the demanding two‑mile‑four‑furlong distance: "He loves Longchamp, he loves the tempo of the races and two‑mile‑four is right up his street." Scott also praised Caballo De Mar’s tenacity, explaining that the horse had to settle earlier than preferred but still delivered a valuable performance: "I thought he was value for a bit more today, he had to commit earlier than he wanted." The trainer reflected on the horse’s recent campaign, emphasizing that despite two disappointing runs in elite staying contests, Caballo De Mar bounced back within three weeks – a turnaround that many horses struggle to achieve. "His last two races have been in a Gold Cup against two of the best stayers we've seen, and he was third until the furlong pole, and last time at York they went a hell of a gallop and he was in the thick of it the whole way.
York is a funny track too, they can misfire and he did," Scott explained. He continued, "Today was a much more even set‑up for him, so I think it's more down to circumstance than anything. This horse has been amazing for us for two years – he's had two bad runs, so what – some horses go off the boil for a year before coming back but we got him back within three weeks." Addressing the owner, Sheikh Nasser, Scott highlighted the horse’s world‑class credentials: "I said to Sheikh Nasser this morning, he's a world class athlete and you can train in the gym all you like but if you come out in the afternoon in the heat of battle, that is when you see true colours.
In the paddock I knew he was on it and Oisin said straight away 'he's here'." The trainer also expressed gratitude toward Victorious Racing, the ownership group that placed considerable trust in him: "Victorious Racing put an awful lot of trust in me so it is a relief he's won today. I know that if it goes wrong they have got my back." The Doncaster Cup win not only restores Caballo De Mar’s reputation but also positions him as a prime contender for the Prix du Cadran at Longchamp during Arc weekend. That race, a prestigious two‑mile‑four‑furlong test, will suit his proven stamina and affinity for the French track. If he can replicate his Doncaster performance, he could add another Group‑1 triumph to his resume and further cement his legacy among the elite stayers of his generation.
In other news from the Doncaster St Leger Festival, the Carlsberg Danish Pilsner Flying Childers Stakes delivered an exciting finish as Gimcrack runner‑up Final Objective edged out the competition. The juvenile, owned by Hamad Al Jehani, has shown steady improvement throughout the season, most recently finishing a close three‑quarters of a length behind Arapaho Gold at York. Dropped back to five furlongs for the first time, the gelding, a son of Sioux Nation, started as a 9‑4 favourite under James Doyle.
Doyle timed his challenge perfectly, guiding Final Objective through the shadows of the post to claim victory by a neck over Crownbreaker, with Flann Sunna and the long‑time leader Fast Track completing the top four. In The Black, hindered by traffic and a near‑miss with another horse’s heels, managed only fifth. Doyle praised the colt’s resilience and the work of his regular Qatari rider, Faleh Bughenaim, who rides the horse daily: "He's a testament to Hamad and his team because he has not been an easy conveyance whatsoever. Faleh has done a brilliant job with him because he rides him every day so he has to suffer on a daily basis while I only ride him now and again so I have to thank him." He added that the horse’s temperament can be challenging but has improved: "He was a bit wayward again late on but that is just his nature, he's a bit tricky.
I was just trying to hang on to their coattails because I was a little bit outpaced early. He's got decent form at six and this was his first time back at five.
It wasn't a problem as he's got more than enough speed." Meanwhile, in the Betfred Flying Scotsman Stakes, Forbidden Fire, one of only two fillies in the field, held off a late surge from Rock Montreal to claim the Listed title. The race featured nine runners and was dominated by two Godolphin colts: Charlie Appleby’s dual‑winner Nabati, the even‑money favourite, and Roger Varian’s highly regarded Rock Montreal at 5‑2. Forbidden Fire, backed at 9‑2 after an impressive debut at Salisbury, was ridden masterfully by Oisín Murphy.
The filly, a daughter of No Nay Never out of Arabian Queen, stayed on strongly, forcing her rivals to battle for position a furlong from the finish. Rock Montreal rallied under the near‑side rail but fell just short, losing by a head, while Nabati could only manage third place. These performances underscore the depth and excitement of the Doncaster meeting, highlighting both seasoned stayers like Caballo De Mar and emerging talent across sprint and middle distances.
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