Caballo De Mar rebounded impressively after lackluster runs at Royal Ascot and York, securing a decisive victory in the Betfred Howards Wright Doncaster Cup. The five‑year‑old had faced serious doubts following a last‑place finish in the Gold Cup and a quick‑drawn fourth in the Lonsdale Cup at York, prompting many to wonder whether he still possessed the stamina and heart required for long‑distance contests. The doubts were put to rest on the Doncaster turf. Under the guidance of jockey Oisín Murphy, Caballo De Mar was positioned just a furlong from the finish line, took the lead on the Town Moor, and then pulled away from the challenger Beylerbeyi.
He crossed the line a length and a quarter ahead, comfortably confirming his status as the 5‑6 favourite. The win was a statement of resilience, showing that the horse could still dominate over the extended trip. The race itself had been missing its pre‑race favourite after Queenstown was withdrawn. Adding to the drama, Emmet Mullins’ runner Winday caused a brief stir at the start, expending energy early and ultimately finishing well back of the field, tailed‑off in seventh place.
Those early mishaps could have unsettled the field, but Caballo De Mar remained composed and responded when it mattered most. Trainer George Scott is now looking ahead to the Prix du Cadran at Longchamp during Arc weekend, hoping his charge will defend the title he won two years in a row.
Scott explained, "We needed to see that performance today if we were to head back to Paris with him. He's two‑for‑two there, so we just have to hope Scandinavia doesn’t turn up. If he stays clear, he’ll be a real contender. He loves Longchamp, loves the tempo, and two‑mile‑four furlongs is right up his street.
I thought he was a bit undervalued today; he had to commit earlier than he wanted, but he rose to the occasion." The Doncaster Cup had been robbed of its likely favourite after Queenstown’s withdrawal, and the early trouble caused by Winday added an extra layer of uncertainty. Yet Caballo De Mar proved to be "as good as gold" for his connections, delivering a performance that delighted his trainer. Scott reflected on the horse’s recent form: "His last two outings were in Gold Cups against some of the best stayers we’ve seen.
He was third until the furlong pole, and at York they galloped hard and he was in the thick of it the whole way. York is a tricky track; they can misfire, and he did. Today the setup was much more even for him, so I think it’s more down to circumstance than anything else. This horse has been amazing for us for two years – he’s had two bad runs, but what does that matter?
Some horses go off the boil for a year before coming back, but we got him back within three weeks." He continued, "I told Sheikh Nasser this morning he’s a world‑class athlete. You can train in the gym all you like, but when you step out in the heat of battle you see the true colours. In the paddock I knew he was ready and Oisín said straight away, ‘he’s here.’ Victorious Racing placed a great deal of trust in me, so it’s a relief to see him win today.
I know that if anything goes wrong they’ve got my back." In the same meeting, the Gimcrack runner‑up Final Objective captured attention with a thrilling finish in the Carlsberg Danish Pilsner Flying Childers Stakes. Hamad Al Jehani’s juvenile, who has shown steady improvement throughout the season, dropped back to five furlongs for the first time and entered the race as a 9‑4 favourite.
James Doyle timed his challenge perfectly, guiding the gelded son of Sioux Nation to a narrow victory in the shadows of the post. Crownbreaker was a neck behind, while Flann Sunna and long‑time leader Fast Track rounded out the placings. In The Black, after encountering traffic and clipping heels, managed only fifth. Doyle praised the horse’s connections, saying, "He’s a testament to Hamad and his team because he has not been an easy conveyance whatsoever.
Faleh Bughenaim, our Qatari jockey, 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 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. I thought he was going to win the Gimcrack but when he got out he hung his chance away and I thought he was going to do a similar thing today.
He’s not easy but he’s more straightforward than he used to be." The day also featured the Betfred Flying Scotsman Stakes, where Forbidden Fire held off a late surge from Rock Montreal to claim top honours. Nine runners contested the Listed opener on the second day of Doncaster’s St Leger Festival. The market was dominated by two Godolphin‑owned colts, with Charlie Appleby’s dual winner Nabati priced at even money, while Roger Varian’s promising Yarmouth performer Rock Montreal went off at 5‑2.
Forbidden Fire, one of only two fillies in the field, started at 9‑2 after a dominant debut win at Salisbury. Trained by Andrew Balding, the filly is a daughter of No Nay Never out of the high‑class racemare Arabian Queen, owned and bred by Jeff Smith. Under Oisín Murphy, she travelled strongly, forcing many rivals to lose ground a furlong out.
Rock Montreal rallied late, finding his stride along the near side rail, but fell just short, losing by a head as Nabati was beaten into third. Overall, Doncaster delivered a day of dramatic turnarounds, solidifying Caballo De Mar’s reputation as a top‑class stayer, showcasing emerging talent in the juvenile ranks, and confirming the staying power of fillies like Forbidden Fire. The performances set the stage for upcoming festivals, especially the Prix du Cadran in Paris, where trainers and owners will be eager to see if their horses can replicate the form displayed on this memorable Doncaster afternoon.