Caballo De Mar rebounded from a series of lackluster performances at Royal Ascot and York to secure a decisive victory in the Betfred Howards Wright Doncaster Cup. The five‑year‑old had been the subject of intense scrutiny after finishing last in the Gold Cup and then dropping quickly to fourth place in the Lonsdale Cup at York, prompting many to wonder whether he still possessed the stamina and heart required for staying races. On the day of the Doncaster meeting, the George Scott‑trained stayer was positioned just a furlong from the finish line on the historic Town Moor.
Under the guidance of jockey Oisín Murphy, Caballo De Mar seized the lead, accelerated away from his nearest challenger Beylerbeyi, and crossed the line a length and a quarter clear as the 5‑6 favourite. The win not only silenced his doubters but also highlighted the horse’s resilience and class. The race itself had been somewhat diminished after the anticipated favourite, Queenstown, was withdrawn. Adding to the pre‑race drama, Emmet Mullins’ runner Winday caused a stir at the start, expending unnecessary energy and ultimately finishing well back of the field, tailed‑off in seventh place.
In contrast, Caballo De Mar appeared composed and purposeful throughout, displaying the same tenacity that made him a top‑class stayer. Looking ahead, trainer George Scott is already planning the next target for his charge: a defence of the Prix du Cadran during the Arc weekend at Longchamp in Paris.
Scott explained, "We needed to see that level of performance today if we are to take him back to Paris, where he’s won two out of two. The only variable now is whether Scandinavia will show up; if not, Caballo De Mar will be a serious contender. He loves Longchamp, loves the tempo and the two‑mile‑four‑furlong distance is right up his street. I thought he was a little bit undervalued today – he had to commit earlier than he wanted, but he rose to the occasion." Scott also reflected on the horse’s recent campaign, noting that the last two outings were against elite stayers in Gold Cup‑level contests.
"He was third right up to the furlong pole in the Gold Cup, and at York he was in the thick of a very galloping race. York can be a tricky track and he handled it well," Scott said.
"Today the race set‑up suited him better, so I think it was more about circumstances than any loss of ability." He continued, "This horse has been outstanding for us over the past two years. He’s had a couple of off days, but some horses need a full year to return to form – we got him back within three weeks.
I told Sheikh Nasser this morning that he is a world‑class athlete; you can train in the gym all you like, but the true test is when you step out in the heat of battle. In the paddock I could see he was ready, and Oisín said straight away ‘he’s here’. Victorious Racing placed a lot of trust in me, so it’s a relief to see him win today. I know if anything goes wrong they’ll have my back." In addition to Caballo De Mar’s triumph, the meeting featured other notable performances.
In the Carlsberg Danish Pilsner Flying Childers Stakes, Gimcrack runner‑up Final Objective emerged victorious after a thrilling finish. The juvenile, owned by Hamad Al Jehani, has shown steady improvement throughout the season, most recently finishing three‑quarters of a length behind Arapaho Gold at York. Dropping back to five furlongs for the first time, the gelding, a son of Sioux Nation, entered as the 9‑4 favourite under James Doyle.
Doyle timed his challenge perfectly, guiding the horse through the shadows of the post to claim the win. Crownbreaker was a neck second, with Flann Sunna and long‑time leader Fast Track completing the third and fourth places. In The Black, despite encountering traffic and clipping heels near the finish, managed a respectable fifth. Doyle praised the horse’s connections, stating, "He’s a testament to Hamad and his team because he has not been an easy conveyance whatsoever.
Our Qatari jockey, Faleh Bughenaim, does a brilliant job riding him daily, so I have to thank him for his work. The horse can be a bit wayward, especially late in the race, but that’s his nature. I was a little outpaced early, but his form at six furlongs is solid and this was his first return to five furlongs, which proved no problem as he has plenty of speed.
I thought he might win the Gimcrack, but he hung his chance away, and today he showed improvement – he’s still a bit tricky but more straightforward than before." The Doncaster St Leger Festival also showcased the Betfred Flying Scotsman Stakes, where Forbidden Fire, one of only two fillies in the field, held off a late challenge from Rock Montreal to take the honours. Nine runners contested the Listed race on day two of the festival, with the market dominated by two Godolphin colts: Charlie Appleby’s dual‑winner Nabati, the even‑money favourite, and Roger Varian’s promising Yarmouth performer Rock Montreal at 5‑2. Forbidden Fire, starting at 9‑2 after a dominant debut win at Salisbury, was ridden expertly by Oisín Murphy.
The filly, by No Nay Never out of the high‑class Arabian Queen, travelled strongly and forced many rivals to struggle a furlong from home. Rock Montreal rallied late, making a strong run along the rail, but ultimately fell just a head short of victory, while Nabati was relegated to third place. Overall, the Doncaster meeting provided a vivid illustration of the ebb and flow of form in top‑level staying horses.
Caballo De Mar’s resurgence underscores the importance of patience, careful placement, and the right race conditions for a horse to display its true ability. His upcoming challenge at Longchamp will be closely watched by enthusiasts and punters alike, as he seeks to add another prestigious Group 1 title to his résumé. Meanwhile, the performances of Final Objective and Forbidden Fire add depth to the narrative of emerging talent and seasoned competence within the British and international racing scenes.