Caballo De Mar rebounded impressively after lackluster outings at Royal Ascot and York, seizing victory in the Betfred Howards Wright Doncaster Cup. The five‑year‑old had been the subject of considerable speculation following a last‑place finish in the Gold Cup and a quick‑drawn fourth in the Lonsdale Cup at York, leading many to wonder whether he still possessed the stamina required for long‑distance contests. Yet, under the guidance of jockey Oisìn Murphy and trainer George Scott, the stayer answered his critics in spectacular fashion. From the start, the race unfolded with a few twists.
The anticipated favourite, Queenstown, was withdrawn, removing a key contender from the field. In addition, Emmet Mullins' trainee Winday caused a brief commotion at the gates, expending energy early and ultimately fading to finish last of the seven runners. These early disruptions set the stage for Caballo De Mar to take centre stage.
Approaching the final furlong, Murphy asked the horse to move forward, and Caballo De Mar responded with a decisive turn of foot. He pulled clear of the Turkish‑bred Beylerbeyi, crossing the line as the 5‑6 favourite by a length and a quarter. The win not only restored confidence in the horse's staying ability but also reinforced the skill of his connections. Following the triumph, Scott expressed his excitement about the upcoming Prix du Cadran at Longchamp during the Arc weekend.
"We needed to see that performance today if we want to head back to Paris," he said. "He thrives at Longchamp, loves the tempo, and the two‑mile‑four‑furlong distance suits him perfectly. If Scandinavia doesn't turn up, he'll be a serious contender." Scott also highlighted Caballo De Mar's recent campaign, noting that his last two races had been against elite stayers in Gold Cup company. "He was third right up to the furlong pole at York and stayed in the thick of it throughout," the trainer explained.
"York can be a tricky track, but today the conditions suited him better, so it was more about circumstance than anything else." The trainer praised the horse's resilience, recalling two disappointing runs earlier in the season. "Some horses need a year to rediscover form, but we got him back in just three weeks," Scott remarked. He also lauded the owner, Sheikh Nasser, for his faith: "Victorious Racing placed a great deal of trust in me, and it's a relief to see the horse win today. If anything goes wrong, they have my back." In the paddock, Scott sensed the horse's readiness, and Murphy confirmed it immediately: "He's here." The Doncaster Cup itself was notable for the absence of Queenstown and the pre‑race drama involving Winday, but Caballo De Mar's performance stole the spotlight.
His victory was a testament to his class and the meticulous preparation by his team. Elsewhere at the meeting, the Carlsberg Danish Pilsner Flying Childers Stakes provided another highlight.
Gimcrack runner‑up Final Objective, trained by Hamad Al Jehani, clinched the race after a thrilling finish. The gelding, a son of Sioux Nation, had shown steady improvement throughout the season, most recently finishing a close third to Arapaho Gold at York. Dropping back to five furlongs for the first time, he entered as the 9‑4 favourite under James Doyle, who timed his challenge perfectly to secure the win in the final strides. Crownbreaker was a neck behind, with Flann Sunna and long‑time leader Fast Track completing the first four.
In The Black, after encountering traffic and clipping heels, managed only fifth place. Doyle praised the horse's connections, especially jockey Faleh Bughenaim, who rides the colt 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." Doyle also commented on the colt's temperament: "He's a bit wayward at times, but that's his nature.
He gave me a good challenge early, but his speed over six furlongs translated well to the five‑furlong trip." The day also featured the Betfred Flying Scotsman Stakes, where Forbidden Fire, one of only two fillies in the field, held off a late surge from Rock Montreal to claim victory. The Listed race attracted nine runners, with Godolphin's Nabati starting as the even‑money favourite and Roger Varian's Rock Montreal at 5‑2.
Forbidden Fire, a daughter of No Nay Never out of Arabian Queen, had impressed with a dominant debut at Salisbury, earning her a 9‑2 price. Under the guidance of jockey Oisìn Murphy, the filly travelled strongly, forcing many rivals to lose ground a furlong from the finish. Rock Montreal rallied late, closing to within a head of the winner, while Nabati faded to third.
Andrew Balding, the filly's trainer, praised her tenacity and the strategic ride that secured the win. Overall, Doncaster's St Leger Festival delivered a mixture of redemption, surprise, and high‑quality performances across its two‑day programme.
Caballo De Mar's resurgence will undoubtedly fuel anticipation for his upcoming challenge in France, while the victories of Final Objective and Forbidden Fire add depth to the meeting's narrative. Fans can stay updated with the latest racing news, interviews, and features through Sky Sports Racing, ensuring they never miss a story from the sport's most exciting moments.