Caballo De Mar recovered from a series of lackluster performances at Royal Ascot and York to claim victory in the Betfred Howards Wright Doncaster Cup, re‑establishing himself as a top‑class stayer. The five‑year‑old had been the subject of intense scrutiny after finishing last in the Gold Cup and then being pulled up early in the Lonsdale Cup at York, prompting many to wonder whether he still possessed the stamina and heart required for the gruelling two‑mile‑four‑furlong test. On the day of the Doncaster meeting, trainer George Scott sent the horse out to the Town Moor under the guidance of jockey Oisín Murphy. As the field turned into the home straight, Caballo De Mar was positioned just a furlong from the finish line, ready to take the lead.
He surged ahead of the Turkish‑bred Beylerbeyi, ultimately crossing the line a length and a quarter in front, confirming his status as the 5‑6 favourite and silencing the doubters who had questioned his form. The race itself had been slightly compromised before the gates even opened. The anticipated favourite, Queenstown, was withdrawn at the last minute, leaving a void in the betting market. Adding to the pre‑race drama, Emmet Mullins’ runner Winday caused a disruption at the start, expending valuable energy and subsequently fading to finish tailed‑off in seventh place.
Despite these setbacks, Caballo De Mar displayed a calm, measured effort, conserving his energy before delivering a decisive finishing kick. Following the win, Scott expressed his optimism about the horse’s upcoming campaign, specifically targeting a defence of the Prix du Cadran during the Arc weekend at Longchamp in Paris.
“We needed to see that kind of performance today if we are to head back to Paris with him,” Scott said. “He’s unbeaten in two starts there, and we just have to hope Scandinavia doesn’t show up. If he stays clear of that, he’ll be a real contender.” He added that the horse thrives at Longchamp, loving both the tempo of the races and the classic two‑mile‑four‑furlong distance, which suits his natural stamina.
Scott also reflected on Caballo De Mar’s recent form, noting that the horse’s last two outings were against elite stayers in the Gold Cup, where he held a respectable third place until the final furlong. "York is a tricky track and the horse can misfire, but he was in the thick of it the whole way," Scott explained. He credited the improved performance to a more suitable race setup rather than a sudden change in ability, emphasizing that the horse’s consistency over the past two years has been a key factor in his success.
The trainer also praised the horse’s resilience, saying, "He’s had two poor runs, but some horses need a year to rediscover their best. We got him back to form within three weeks, which is remarkable." He highlighted the partnership with owner Sheikh Nasser, describing Caballo De Mar as a "world‑class athlete" whose true character shines when he is tested in the heat of competition. "In the paddock I could see he was ready, and Oisín said straight away, ‘he’s here.’" Scott concluded by acknowledging the trust placed in him by Victorious Racing, noting that the win provides reassurance that the partnership is on solid footing. The Doncaster Cup also 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 a close third to Arapaho Gold at York. Dropping back to five furlongs for the first time, the gelded son of Sioux Nation started as a 9‑4 favourite under James Doyle, who timed his challenge perfectly to secure the win. Crownbreaker was a neck second, with Flann Sunna and long‑time leader Fast Track completing the placings.
In The Black, despite encountering traffic and clipping heels, 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.
Faleh [Bughenaim], our Qatari jockey, has done a brilliant job with him because he rides him every day, so I have to thank him for keeping the horse in shape." He also admitted the horse can be wayward, but noted that his recent form at six furlongs suggests he now possesses the speed needed to compete at shorter distances. In another highlight of the St Leger Festival, Forbidden Fire held off a late challenge from Rock Montreal to win the Betfred Flying Scotsman Stakes.
The Listed race featured 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 at Salisbury. Trained by Andrew Balding, the filly, a daughter of No Nay Never out of Arabian Queen, travelled strongly and forced several rivals to lose ground a furlong from the finish.
Rock Montreal rallied late, narrowing the margin to a head, while Nabati could only manage third. Overall, the Doncaster meeting showcased a blend of redemption, emerging talent, and tightly contested finishes. Caballo De Mar’s resurgence underscores the importance of patience and strategic placement in a horse’s career, while the performances of Final Objective and Forbidden Fire highlight the depth of quality across different distances and age groups. As the season progresses toward the Arc weekend, fans will be eager to see whether Caballo De Mar can translate his Doncaster success onto the Parisian stage, and whether the younger stars can continue their upward trajectories in the coming months.