Caballo De Mar rebounded from a series of lackluster performances at Royal Ascot and York to capture the Betfred Howards Wright Doncaster Cup, silencing the doubts that had begun to swirl 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‑four‑furlong contests that define his career.
The answer came on the historic turf of Town Moor, where trainer George Scott sent his charge into the lead with a furlong left to run. Guided by jockey Oisín Murphy, Caballo De Mar surged ahead of the Turkish‑bred Beylerbeyi, crossing the finish line a length and a quarter clear and doing so as the 5‑6 favourite. The victory not only restored the horse's reputation but also reaffirmed Scott’s belief in his ability to compete at the highest level.
The race itself had been marked by a few pre‑race dramas. The anticipated favourite, Queenstown, was withdrawn at the last minute, leaving a void in the betting market. Additionally, Emmet Mullins’ entry Winday caused a stir at the start, expending a great deal of energy early on and ultimately fading to finish last of the seven runners. The early mishap underscored the importance of a calm, composed ride, something that Murphy and Caballo De Mar delivered in spades.
Looking ahead, Scott is already planning the next target: a defence of the horse’s title in the prestigious Prix du Cadran at Longchamp during the Arc weekend in Paris. He explained, "We needed to see that performance today if we wanted to head back to Paris. 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 serious contender.
He loves Longchamp, loves the tempo, and two‑mile‑four is right up his street. I thought he was a bit undervalued today; he had to settle earlier than he wanted, but he rose to the occasion." Scott also reflected on Caballo De Mar’s recent form, noting that the horse’s last two outings were against elite stayers in Gold Cup‑type races.
"He was third until the furlong pole in the Gold Cup, and at York he was in the thick of a gallop that was truly testing. York can be a tricky track, and he handled it well," Scott said. "Today the set‑up was more even for him, so I think it was circumstance rather than ability that dictated the result." He praised the horse’s resilience, adding, "This horse has been amazing for us for two years. He’s had two bad runs, but some horses need a year to get back to form; we got him back within three weeks.
I told Sheikh Nasser this morning that he’s a world‑class athlete. You can train in the gym all you like, but when you step into the heat of battle in the afternoon, that’s when you see true character. In the paddock I could tell 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’ve got my back." In other news from the Doncaster meeting, the Gimcrack runner‑up Final Objective emerged victorious in a thrilling finish to the Carlsberg Danish Pilsner Flying Childers Stakes. Hamad Al Jehani’s juvenile, a gelding by Sioux Nation, 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, Final Objective entered as a 9‑4 favourite under James Doyle, who timed his challenge perfectly to secure the win in the final strides.
Crownbreaker finished a neck behind, with Flann Sunna and long‑time leader Fast Track completing the placings. In The Black, after encountering traffic and clipping heels, could only manage fifth. Doyle praised the horse’s connections, saying, "He’s a testament to Hamad and his team because he’s not an easy ride.
Our Qatari jockey Faleh Bughenaim does a brilliant job with him daily, while I only get occasional rides, so I’m grateful for his work. He can be wayward, but that’s his nature. I tried to stay on his coattails after being a bit outpaced early, and his form at six furlongs translated well to five.
I thought he’d win the Gimcrack, but he hung his chance early; today he was more straightforward, though still tricky." The Doncaster Festival also featured 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 claim top honours. The listed race attracted nine runners, with the market dominated by two Godolphin colts: Charlie Appleby’s dual‑winner Nabati, the even‑money favourite, and Roger Varian’s accomplished Yarmouth performer Rock Montreal at 5‑2. Forbidden Fire, a daughter of No Nay Never out of the high‑class Arabian Queen, started at 9‑2 after a dominant debut at Salisbury. Under Murphy’s guidance, she travelled strongly, forcing many rivals to lose ground a furlong out.
Rock Montreal rallied late, narrowing the margin to a head, while Nabati could only manage third. Overall, the Doncaster meeting showcased the resilience and adaptability of top‑class stayers and sprinters alike, offering a compelling narrative of redemption for Caballo De Mar and thrilling finishes across the card. The upcoming Prix du Cadran will provide another stage for Caballo De Mar to prove his mettle, while the younger talent displayed in the Flying Childers Stakes hints at a promising future for the sport.