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 critics who had begun to doubt his stamina. The five‑year‑old had previously finished last in the Gold Cup and then faded quickly to fourth place in the Lonsdale Cup at York, prompting questions about whether the horse still possessed the staying power required for long‑distance contests. Yet, under the guidance of jockey Oisín Murphy, the George Scott‑trained stayer took the lead a furlong from the finish on the Town Moor and pulled clear of the Turkish‑bred Beylerbeyi, securing victory as the 5‑6 favourite by a length and a quarter.
The race itself had been unsettled before the gates even opened. The anticipated favourite, Queenstown, was withdrawn, and Emmet Mullins’ runner Winday caused a brief disruption at the start.
Winday, having expended a great deal of energy in the early stages, never recovered and ultimately finished well behind the field, tailed off in seventh place. In contrast, Caballo De Mar displayed the composure and resilience that his connections had hoped to see, confirming his status as a top‑class stayer. Following the win, trainer George Scott expressed his optimism about the horse’s future campaign, particularly with an eye on the prestigious 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," Scott said.
"He thrives at Longchamp, loves the tempo, and the two‑mile‑four‑furlong distance is right up his alley. If Scandinavia doesn’t turn up, he’ll be a serious contender." Scott also reflected on Caballo De Mar’s recent form, noting that the horse had been tested against elite stayers in the Gold Cup and the Lonsdale Cup.
"In the Gold Cup he was third until the furlong pole, and at York the pace was relentless, yet he stayed in the thick of it throughout," Scott explained. "York can be a tricky track, but he handled it well. Today’s race was a more even setup for him, so the result is as much about circumstance as it is about his ability." He praised the horse’s consistency over the past two years, despite two disappointing runs.
"Some horses need a year to rediscover their best form, but we got him back to winning form within three weeks," Scott added. "I told Sheikh Nasser this morning that he is a world‑class athlete. You can train in the gym all you like, but when you step onto the track in the heat of battle, that’s when true character shows. In the paddock I could tell he was ready, and Oisín said straight away, ‘he’s here.’" Scott also acknowledged the support of Victorious Racing, the ownership group that placed great trust in him.
"It’s a relief to see him win today. If things go wrong, I know they’ll back me up," he said. In other news from the Doncaster meeting, the Gimcrack runner‑up Final Objective claimed victory 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 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, started as a 9‑4 favourite with James Doyle aboard. Doyle timed his challenge perfectly, guiding the horse to the front in the final stages.
Crownbreaker was a neck behind, with Flann Sunna and long‑time leader Fast Track completing the top four. In The Black, after encountering traffic and clipping heels, managed only fifth place.
Doyle praised the horse’s connections, saying, "He’s a testament to Hamad and his team because he has not been an easy ride. Our Qatari jockey Faleh Bughenaim does a brilliant job, riding him daily, while I only get occasional rides, so I’m grateful for his work. The horse can be a bit wayward, but that’s his nature. He’s got solid form at six furlongs and handled the five‑furlong distance without issue." The day also featured the Betfred Flying Scotsman Stakes, where Forbidden Fire held off a late surge from Rock Montreal to take the top spot.
The Listed race, part of Doncaster’s St Leger Festival, 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 promising Rock Montreal 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, a daughter of No Nay Never out of Arabian Queen, travelled strongly and forced most of her rivals to struggle a furlong from home.
Rock Montreal rallied late, closing the gap to within a head, while Nabati was beaten into third place. Overall, the Doncaster meeting showcased the depth of talent in staying races, with Caballo De Mar’s resurgence providing a highlight and a strong indication that he will be a serious contender in the upcoming Prix du Cadran at Longchamp.