Caballo De Mar rebounded from a series of lackluster outings at Royal Ascot and York to claim victory in the Betfred Howards Wright Doncaster Cup, silencing the doubts that had been swirling around the five‑year‑old stayer. After finishing last in the Gold Cup and then pulling up quickly to finish fourth in the Lonsdale Cup at York, many wondered whether the horse still possessed the stamina and heart required for the grueling two‑mile‑plus contests that define his career.
Yet on the day at Town Moor, under the guidance of jockey Oisín Murphy, Caballo De Mar took the lead with a furlong remaining, broke clear of his rival Beylerbeyi and crossed the line a length and a quarter ahead, confirming his status as the 5‑6 favourite. The race itself had been clouded by a few setbacks before the gates even opened. The anticipated favourite, Queenstown, was withdrawn, leaving a void at the top of the betting board. In addition, Emmet Mullins’s runner Winday caused a brief disturbance at the start, expending energy in a frantic warm‑up that left him exhausted and ultimately finishing well behind the field, tailed‑off in seventh place.
These pre‑race dramas could have unsettled the other contenders, but Caballo De Mar remained composed and ready to deliver when it mattered. Trainer George Scott expressed his enthusiasm after the win, looking ahead to the Prix du Cadran at Longchamp during the Arc weekend in Paris. "We needed to see that performance today if we are to head back to Paris with him," Scott said.
"He thrives at Longchamp, loves the tempo of the races and the two‑mile‑four‑furlong distance suits him perfectly. He showed great value today, even though he had to be asked to commit earlier than he would have liked." Scott also reflected on the horse’s recent campaign, noting that Caballo De Mar had been tested in the Gold Cup against two of the finest stayers in the world, where he was positioned third up to the furlong pole before being overtaken. At York, the race unfolded at a relentless gallop, and the horse stayed in the thick of the action throughout. "York can be a tricky track, and he handled it well," Scott added.
"Today’s set‑up was more even for him, so I think the result comes down to circumstance as much as anything else." The trainer praised the horse’s resilience, recalling that Caballo De Mar had endured two poor runs but bounced back within three weeks – a turnaround that many horses would need a full season to achieve. "I told Sheikh Nasser this morning that he is a world‑class athlete," Scott said. "You can train in the gym all day, but when you step into the heat of battle in the afternoon, that’s when you see the true colours.
In the paddock I could tell he was ready, and Oisín said straight away, ‘he’s here.’" Scott also acknowledged the support of the ownership group, Victorious Racing, noting that their confidence in the horse had been a great relief. "They put a lot of trust in me, and it’s a comfort to see the horse win today. If things go wrong, I know they have my back," he said.
In other news from the Doncaster meeting, the Gimcrack runner‑up Final Objective triumphed in a dramatic finish to the Carlsberg Danish Pilsner Flying Childers Stakes. The juvenile, owned by Hamad Al Jehani, has shown steady improvement throughout the season, most recently losing by three‑quarters of a length to Arapaho Gold at York. Dropping back to five furlongs for the first time, the gelded son of Sioux Nation started as a 9‑4 favourite in the hands of James Doyle, who timed his challenge perfectly to take the win in the final strides. Crownbreaker was a neck behind, with Flann Sunna and long‑time leader Fast Track rounding out the placings.
In The Black was unlucky, finishing fifth after encountering trouble and clipping heels near the finish line. Doyle praised the horse’s connections, saying, "Final Objective is a testament to Hamad and his team; he’s not an easy horse to train. Our Qatari jockey Faleh Bughenaim has done a brilliant job because he rides him every day, whereas I only get occasional rides. He can be a bit wayward, but that’s his nature.
I was a little outpaced early, but his speed over six furlongs carried him through, and even though he hung his chance in the Gimcrack, he’s become more straightforward now." The Doncaster Festival also featured the Betfred Flying Scotsman Stakes, where Forbidden Fire held off a late charge from Rock Montreal to secure the win. Nine runners contested the Listed race on the second day of the St Leger Festival, with the market dominated by two Godolphin colts: Charlie Appleby’s dual‑winner Nabati, an even‑money favourite, and Roger Varian’s promising Yarmouth performer Rock Montreal at 5‑2. Forbidden Fire, one of only two fillies in the field, started at 9‑2 after a dominant debut at Salisbury and was ridden masterfully by Oisín Murphy. A daughter of No Nay Never out of the high‑class Arabian Queen, the filly, trained by Andrew Balding, travelled strongly and forced many rivals to lose ground a furlong out.
Rock Montreal, initially pressured at the rear, rallied late and finished a head behind the winner, while Nabati was beaten into third place. The race underscored the depth of talent in the staying division and highlighted Forbidden Fire’s ability to compete against top‑class colts. Overall, Doncaster delivered a weekend of compelling narratives: Caballo De Mar’s redemption, Final Objective’s emergence as a juvenile star, and Forbidden Fire’s impressive display against seasoned stayers. These performances set the stage for upcoming challenges, particularly the Prix du Cadran at Longchamp, where Caballo De Mar will aim to defend his title against Europe’s elite stayers.
Fans can look forward to more thrilling action as the season progresses, with the stamina‑tested horses continuing to prove why they captivate racing enthusiasts worldwide.