Gr.1 Juddmonte International

The Juddmonte International is a Group 1 race over 10.5 furlongs for three-year-olds and up, and is held on the first day of York’s prestigious Ebor Festival in mid-August. It is York’s richest Pattern race of the season, with prize money totalling £1 million.

The race was first run in 1972, when it was known as the Benson & Hedges Gold Cup, and was won by Derby winner Roberto, with the four-year-old Brigadier Gerard taking second place (his only defeat in 18 career starts). It was re-named the Matchmaker International for 1985 and 1986, and a two-year period without sponsorship followed before Juddmonte took over the mantle in 1989.

In March 2015, the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities declared the Juddmonte International as the best race in the world, following ratings analysis of the first four horses past the post over the last three seasons. In recent times, the race has been won by the likes of Singspiel, Giant’s Causeway, Authorized, Duke Of Marmalade and Sea The Stars.

The race was also awarded the accolade of 2020 Longines World’s Best Race after the rankings committee analysed the provisional ratings of the first four horses past the post – Ghaiyyath, Magical, Lord North and Kameko.

Prince Khalid has won the Juddmonte International twice – first with Twice Over in 2011, whose defeat over Midday gave his owner a 1-2 in the race, and then with Frankel, whose spectacular seven-length victory in 2012 was witnessed by a record crowd of over 30,000 people. In winning the Juddmonte International, Frankel surpassed the European record for consecutive Group 1 wins.

2024 winner
CITY OF TROY
Breeder: Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt
Owner: Mrs John Magnier & Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith
Trainer: A P O'Brien
Jockey: R L Moore