Caballo De Mar rebounded impressively after lackluster performances at Royal Ascot and York, clinching victory in the Betfred Howards Wright Doncaster Cup. The five‑year‑old had drawn criticism following a last‑place finish in the Gold Cup and a quick‑drawn fourth place in the Lonsdale Cup at York, prompting questions about whether he still possessed the stamina 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 historic Town Moor and dispelled his doubters, pulling clear of Beylerbeyi to win as the 5‑6 favourite by one and a quarter lengths. The race itself had been unsettled before the gates even opened.
Queenstown, the pre‑race favourite, was withdrawn, and Emmet Mullins‑trained Winday caused a brief commotion at the start, expending valuable energy and ultimately fading to a distant seventh. In contrast, Caballo De Mar demonstrated the poise and resilience that had made him a two‑time winner of the Prix du Cadran, a race he will defend on Arc weekend at Longchamp in Paris. Scott expressed his confidence in the colt, saying, "We needed to see that today if we wanted to go back to Paris with him, as he's two from two there – we just have to hope Scandinavia doesn't turn up. If he doesn't, then he's going to be a player.
He loves Longchamp, he loves the tempo of the races and two‑mile‑four is right up his street. I thought he was value for a bit more today, he had to commit earlier than he wanted." His remarks highlighted both the horse's affinity for the French testing ground and the strategic considerations of targeting the prestigious Prix du Cadran. Scott also reflected on Caballo De Mar's recent form, noting that his last two outings had been against elite stayers in the Gold Cup and at York. "He was third until the furlong pole, and at York they went a hell of a gallop and he was in the thick of it the whole way.
York is a funny track too, they can misfire and he did," the trainer explained. He added that the Doncaster Cup presented a more evenly matched field, allowing the horse's true ability to shine.
The trainer praised the colt's consistency over the past two years, despite two sub‑par runs, saying, "Some horses go off the boil for a year before coming back but we got him back within three weeks. I said to Sheikh Nasser this morning, he's a world‑class athlete and you can train in the gym all you like but if you come out in the afternoon in the heat of battle, that is when you see true colours. In the paddock I knew he was on it and Oisín said straight away 'he's here'.
Victorious Racing put an awful lot of trust in me so it is a relief he's won today. I know that if it goes wrong they have got my back." These comments underline the strong partnership between owner, trainer, jockey and the racing operation behind the horse. Beyond Caballo De Mar, the Doncaster meeting produced other noteworthy performances. In the Carlsberg Danish Pilsner Flying Childers Stakes, Gimcrack runner‑up Final Objective, trained by Hamad Al Jehani, secured a thrilling win.
The five‑year‑old gelding, a son of Sioux Nation, had shown steady improvement throughout the season, most recently finishing a close three‑quarters of a length behind Arapaho Gold at York. Dropping back to five furlongs for the first time, Final Objective entered the race as a 9‑4 favourite and, under James Doyle, timed his challenge perfectly to seize the lead in the final strides.
Crownbreaker finished a neck behind, with Flann Sunna and long‑time leader Fast Track completing the placings. In The Black, who encountered traffic and clipped heels near the finish, managed only fifth. Doyle praised the colt’s connections, stating, "He's a testament to Hamad and his team because he has not been an easy conveyance whatsoever. Faleh [Bughenaim], our Qatian 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 comments illustrate the challenges of handling a temperamental but talented juvenile.
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 top honors. Nine runners contested the Listed opener on the second day of Doncaster's St Leger Festival, 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, backed at 9‑2 after a dominant debut at Salisbury, was ridden expertly by Murphy. The filly, a daughter of No Nay Never out of the esteemed Arabian Queen, travelled strongly and forced most of her rivals to the back of the field a furlong from home.
Rock Montreal rallied late, challenging under the near side rail, but fell just short, losing by a head as Nabati was relegated to third. Overall, the Doncaster meeting delivered a blend of redemption, surprise and high‑quality performances across multiple distances.
Caballo De Mar's resurgence underscores his status as a world‑class stayer capable of thriving on both British and French turf, while the successes of Final Objective and Forbidden Fire highlight the depth of talent emerging from younger ranks and female‑filled fields. Fans can look forward to further drama as these horses continue their campaigns, particularly with Caballo De Mar set to defend his Prix du Cadran title at Longchamp during the prestigious Arc weekend.