Previous History:

The final Group One of the British flat turf season is a regularly anticipated event not only as the last of its kind each year, but for the potential impact it can make on the future. 
The first edition took place in 1961 and has remained a key part of Doncaster's season in every year since. The race is run over the straight mile course on Town Moor and is the creation of Timeform founder Phil Bull. When the Pattern system entered horse racing in 1971, the race was given the highest status of Group One and has remained that way to this day.  The first Group One renewal would be won by High Top under Willie Carson who would go on to win the following year's 2000 Guineas. He was the first of many legendary racehorses to have taken in the Futurity Trophy on their way to greater things. The race has produced seven Epsom Derby winners and countless Guineas winners of the future. A certain Shergar would taste defeat in 1980's renewal before sealing his legacy in the Epsom Derby.

The Futurity Trophy is affectionately known to many as the Racing Post Trophy. The racing newspaper sponsored the race between 1989 and 2017 and some of the race's greatest displays have been in this era. 1994 saw a demolition job by Celtic Swing as he won by an exhilarating twelve lengths. It would be a performance matched only by Arazi at the Breeders Cup in terms of stunning ability for a two year old. Since the turn of the century, there have been five horses to complete the Doncaster-Epsom double as they went on to win the Derby. High Chapparal, Motivator, Authorized, Camelot and Auguste Rodin joined Reference Point in this illustrious club.  Elsewhere on the British Classic scene, the likes of Kingston Hill and Brian Boru returned to Doncaster the following year to win the St Leger while Saxon Warrior, Magna Grecia and Camelot have all landed the first classic of the season, the 2000 Guineas.
In the modern era, the race is renowned as a playground for Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien. The master of Ballydoyle has won the past three renewals which added to the total of eleven wins in this famous race. He often plans for one of his better juveniles to take part at Doncaster as a vital step in the horse's career with a Classic campaign on the cards.

Back in 2022, the Futurity ended up having a big influence on 2023 as Auguste Rodin arrived at Doncaster with a big reputation of being a Triple Crown contender. He powered through the heavy ground despite appearing to hate it, but came clear of his seven rivals on that day. After flopping in the Guineas and the bubble bursting, he would go on to win the Epsom Derby in emphatic style before adding the Irish Derby and Irish Champion Stakes to a glistening CV. Epictetus would win a Derby trial at Ascot before winning at Group Three level while further behind, King Of Steel took in the Group One contest on the back of a recent maiden win. He was lacking for experience that day, but the giant horse has been a star of the season. Chasing home Auguste Rodin on his seasonal reappearance in the Epsom Derby, he would win at Royal Ascot before providing Frankie Dettori with a final British winner in the saddle in the Champions Stakes. 

2023 Race Preview:

As the clocks went back an hour around the country, the sun began to set on the turf season. The Qipco sponsored Champions Day had been and gone so now the matter of the final group one was the remaining box to be ticked off. It has been another fantastic season for Aidan O'Brien following wins in the Epsom Derby, St Leger and Sussex Stakes to name but a few highlights this year and the focus moved on to Doncaster. The stable has farmed nearly all of the leading juvenile races over seven furlongs and a mile, namely with the exploits of City Of Troy. The remarkable strength in depth of his two-year-old colts is an issue any other trainer would love to have, but it meant having to keep these star names apart to protect their unbeaten records. 

The five day entry stage for the Futurity was unsurprisingly dominated by O'Brien as he was responsible for five of the eleven entrants for the race. The race has been a long term target for the twice raced and unbeaten colt Diego Velazquez while stablemates Capulet, Chief Little Rock, Battle Cry and Henry Adams would all be leading stars in their own right at other stables. By the time the race was upon us, the O'Brien team was represented by just two runners, Diego Velazquez and Capulet. The race would appear to be another easy opportunity for O'Brien to win and it desperately needed a worthy challenger. Step forward Ancient Wisdom for team Godolphin. The colt followed a similar start in life to Diego Velazquez as they were both a whopping two million pound purchases as yearlings. Clearly a highly regarded sort, Ancient Wisdom was a late supplementary entry to the field having landed a valuable race at Newmarket. It would also be a trip down memory lane as the two powerhouse racing operations of Coolmore and Godolphin went head to head once more. 
It wasn't just a two horse race however and the remainder of the field had earned their spot in the race. The stable of John and Thady Gosden was recently crowned champion trainer of the season and relied on their once raced colt God's Window. He made a positive impression over the same course and distance where he defeated the reopposing Deira Mile and Redhot Whisper. Another type to go under the radar would be Dancing Gemini for trainer Roger Teal. The colt galloped relentlessly to win at a lower level and had earned the opportunity to prove himself at this higher level. The field was rounded out by Devil's Point, a smart sort who represented the David Menuisier stable who were on a high following a recent big race winner the previous weekend.

Runners And Riders:

1) ANCIENT WISDOM (Dubawi x Golden Valentine)

Trainer: Charlie Appleby
Jockey: William Buick
Form: 1131

A challenger from left field, but a highly talented challenger at that. In the week leading up to the race, owners Godolphin announced they would supplement their three time winning colt Ancient Wisdom to the Futurity Trophy field and take on their old rivals Coolmore and Diego Velazquez.
As a yearling, the son of Dubawi was very popular in the sales ring and he attracted plenty of interest from prospective buyers. In a heated battle, the gavel came down at two million euros and the Godolphin operation had a well bred colt on their hands. As a son of triple Group One winner Dubawi, one of the leading sires in the world, Ancient Wisdom is also the progeny of the mare Golden Valentine who landed a French Group Three during her racing career. 

Given his price tag and breeding, the racecourse debut of Ancient Wisdom was eagerly awaited and he stepped onto a racecourse for the first time at Haydock in early June. Showing a professional attitude throughout, he didn't show any signs of inexperience. Travelling strongly in a prominent position, jockey James Doyle had to simply nudge Ancient Wisdom into the lead and the colt breezed clear in impressive style. Winning by five lengths, it was a perfect start to his career and well worth the waiting. Ancient Wisdom then moved on to Newmarket where a novice race on the July course was on the cards. It would be an easier assignment, but a good stepping stone to build his experience. Facing just four rivals, Ancient Wisdom didn't show the same wow factor as his debut, but was stylish enough to pull clear and was practically eased down at the finish line. He retained his unbeaten record, but the critics began to hover. 
Next up would be a first big assignment on the King George Stakes undercard with the listed Pat Eddery Stakes over seven furlongs. The race looked very strong for the grade and Ancient Wisdom raced keenly under William Buick. His overly enthusiastic way of racing cost him at the finish as he could manage only third, suffering a first defeat of his career. In retrospect, the form of the race worked out exceptionally as the winner Rosallion went on to win the Group One Prix Jean-Luc Lagadere while the fifth placed Dancing Gemini bolted up in a listed race at Doncaster. It was potentially a case of too many races within a short space of time for Ancient Wisdom and he was given a three month break to freshen up. The next assignment would be Group Three Autumn Stakes, just half an hour after City Of Troy's Dewhurst Stakes demolition. Racing behind the leaders in the early stages, he travelled with the same strong style as seen before. When the question was asked, he burst clear to score by just under four lengths to lay his own claim as a leading juvenile this year. 

Ancient Wisdom might have cost a fair penny, but on the base of his on track performances, he has lived up to the billing. He arrived at Doncaster as Godolphin's main hope for Group One glory this year and for next year and gave a new aspect to the race. With an experience advantage over his main rival Diego Velazquez, the head to head between the two future stars came down to the finest margins. 

2) BATTLE CRY (No Nay Never x I'll Have Another)

Trainer: Aidan O'Brien (Ire)
Jockey:
Form: 82142
The first of the Aidan O'Brien quintet in the race was potentially the lowest in the pecking order at the stable, but Battle Cry has enjoyed a perfectly fine first season and has shown he can win good races in the future. 

Battle Cry hails from a family mixed with speed and stamina, a common trait in modern racehorse breeding. His sire No Nay Never was a high class and unbeaten American juvenile who saw all before him in Europe with wins in the Norfolk Stakes and Prix Morny. He has rapidly become a favourite of Coolmore following his offspring such as leading two-year-olds Blackbeard, Ten Sovereigns and Little Big Bear. The colt is the first foal of the tough yet smart racemare I'll Have Another who won at listed level for Mark Johnston, she hails from a talented family herself.

Battle Cry began his racing career in mid May, usually a time where precocious and speedy juveniles stake their claim for Royal Ascot. Outpaced over the five and a half furlong trip, Battle Cry returned home in eighth, but the winner Givemethebeatboys would go on to place at Group One level. A midsummer break soon followed and Battle Cry reappeared at Down Royal, a place that rarely sees higher profile Aidan O'Brien juveniles. He performed much better over the seven furlong distance by finishing all the way to the line and landing second by half a length. He showed his potential to rate higher with that display and a trip to York was next up for the Convivial Maiden, Europe's richest maiden race. It has been a prestigious race in the pace and Battle Cry's name was added to the list of winners as he was always in a perfect position to strike under Ryan Moore. With an all important win under his belt, a step up in class followed with a date at Doncaster for the listed Flying Scotsman Stakes. Racing keenly in the early stages, he was overtaken by the strong galloping Dancing Gemini in the early stages and Battle Cry attempted to match strides with the new leader. It proved to be a fateful flaw as the son of No Nay Never weakened into fourth on the softened ground. On his most recent start, remaining in listed company, he produced a better effort when he was run down in the closing stages by his experienced stablemate Mountain Bear.

Battle Cry has shown himself to be a nice type with ability, but whether he is up to the standard of a Group One remains to be seen. He would provide leading Northern jockey Ben Curtis with a very rare opportunity to ride in the famous John Magnier dark blue silks as he picked up the spare ride for Aidan O'Brien. Given his place in the field as the stable 'number two', Battle Cry was widely expected to set the early pace and ensure the gallop is even for Diego Velazquez. However, as history shows, pacemakers can sometimes cause the biggest of surprises in races like this...

3) DANCING GEMINI (Camelot x Lady Adelaide)
Trainer: Roger Teal
Jockey: Lewis Edmunds
Form: 2511

A runner in the race who would need to improve on ratings, but the fashion of his victories recently have been very impressive and he has gone under the radar in this race. 

The well made colt is a son of Camelot who landed this very race back in 2011 ahead of his near miss in the quest for the Triple Crown. Camelot won the Guineas and Derby before his bid for the fabled Triple Crown led to excitement growing off the scale. He would be unfortunately denied in harsh circumstances on the day, but has since cemented his legacy as a strong stamina based sire. Dancing Gemini is also the first foal of the smart racemare Lady Adelaide who also raced for the same owners, Fishdance Ltd. Last year, the owners ran the maiden Dancing Harry in this race in which he finished a respectable sixth place. This year, they have a much stronger contender.

Dancing Gemini has evidently been held in high regard by his trainer Roger Teal. The relatively small outfit have tasted high profile success with sprinters such as Oxted and Chipstead, but they have also gone close in a Classic as Tip Two Win finished runner up in the 2018 2000 Guineas, therefore they will know a good horse when they see one. Dancing Gemini made his debut at Salisbury back in June and showed a great amount of promise by running on into second and gaining on the winner. Clearly delighted with that effort, connections bumped Dancing Gemini into pattern company at Ascot in the Pat Eddery Stakes. Held up early, the colt made a big move at the halfway stage and found himself close to the leaders at halfway. It was an eye-catching move but it failed to pay off as the horse weakened into fifth by the finish. Ahead of him at the finish however would be some high class names. The winner Rosallion went on to win a French Group One while third placed Ancient Wisdom renewed rivalries on the back of his Autumn Stakes win. Runner up Al Musmak would finish second again in the Royal Lodge and fourth placed home that day Alyanaabi went on to win the Summervile Stakes at Newmarket. Clearly the race had very smart formlines and next up for Dancing Gemini would be a return to maiden company in search of a first win. Ridden more positively this time, it was a relatively easy task for the son of Camelot to take home his first career win which would boost his confidence. A trip to Doncaster would be next or the St Leger Festival and the listed Flying Scotsman Stakes. He would face the likes of Battle Cry in the race but it turned into a procession. Under Lewis Edmunds, the colt gained the lead after a few furlongs and was content to bowl along. Once he was asked, Dancing Gemini lengthened impressively and really ate up the ground beneath him to win by five lengths. 

The style of that win suggested he was at least well above that level and an attempt at the final Group One of the season is worth a go. He appeals as the type to get an uncontested lead and dictate the pace, potentially getting others out of their comfort zone. He would need to prove his stamina on his first try at a mile and on the testing ground, the final furlong will feel like an extra mile.

4) DEIRA MILE (Camelot x Fastnet Mist)

Trainer: Owen Burrows
Jockey: Richard Kingscote
Form: 332

One of two maidens in the race, but he has shown enough on the track to warrant a place in this field and he should hopefully pick up some nice prize money for his ambitious connections.

Deira Mile is the second colt in the race to be a son of Camelot, winner of the 2011's renewal. His dam Fastnet Mist was herself a daughter of leading Australian sire Fastnet Rock and ran to a useful standard. The pedigree stretches back to the useful Walkinthesand, a smart dual winner for the Richard Hannon stable.

Deira Mile has shown ability to win a race in his three starts to date, but those runs haven't gone without issue. Making his debut in a competitive looking maiden at Sandown over seven furlongs, the son of Camelot ducked to his right leaving the stalls and looked very inexperienced in the opening stages. Racing in the centre pack, he began to make headway at the halfway stage and was in contention with a whole host of rivals. He nosed into second and challenged for the lead but in a bunched finish, he was given third place with the help of the photo finish. It was a very promising debut and it led to a trip to Doncaster for a similar event on the St Leger undercard. He was strongly fancied in the betting but once again showed his awkwardness from the stalls as he veered out to the right. He ran much straighter here and held the led at a crucial point, the two furlong pole. At the business end of the race, Deira Mile began to move to his left and lost valuable momentum as others challenged for the lead. The pair of God's Window and Redhot Whisper would take over ahead and Deira Mile had to settle for third once again. The form of the race looked strong though so it was still a useful effort. With two thirds on his CV, it was time to win a race and progress with his career. He arrived at Chelmsford for a run of the mill four runner maiden and was expected to win easily. However, things did not go to plan. Although he was sharper away from the gates and grabbed the early lead, the tendency to drift reappeared. When asked to lengthen, Deira Mile jinked to his left and collided the running rail. That appeared to spook the horse and he looked reluctant to go forward any more and was passed by his main rival in a disappointing defeat. 

Deira Mile has shown more than a fair level of ability and should be a race winner by now, but his quirks have held him back. This will be a huge step up in grade but it shows the faith his owners have in him. Since the Chelmsford defeat, Deira Mile was moved from Charlie Johnston's yard in Middleham to Owen Burrow's stable in Lambourn in the hope that the new scenery will bring improvement. It would be a major shock to see Deira Mile win this race, but anything can happen in racing and it usually does.

5) DEVIL'S POINT (New Bay x Hairy Rocket)

Trainer: David Menuisier
Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Form: 5134 

Another colt in the race with plenty to find on ratings, but his proven experience in group races should come in handy for a stable that isn't afraid about aiming high. 

Devil's Point is a son of the reliable sire New Bay, winner of the 2015 French Derby and held no fears on a soft surface while his dam Hairy Rocket was a precocious juvenile with a placed finish in the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot. The colt is a half brother to The Acropolis who landed just one race win for Aidan O'Brien but was often seen in higher quality races through his career.

Devil's Point started out in a novice event at Sandown in mid-summer, often a racecourse that produces quality two-year-olds. Slowly away from the stalls, Devil's Point showed signs of greenness on his first taste of racing action but once the penny dropped, he showed a smart finishing burst to arrive in contention. Crossing the finish line, a blanket could have been thrown over the first five with just a length and a half covering first to fifth. The formlines of the race were strong though. Just a few heads in front of Devil's Point was Godolphin's newcomer Arabian Crown who went on to win three in a row including the Zetland Stakes at Newmarket, a prestigious trial for the Derby. With the debut promise shown, a first win would be seemingly be a formality and so it proved as Devil's Point impressed many in the Welsh countryside at Ffos Las. The ground on that day had turned soft but under today's rider Oisin Murphy, Devil's Point travelled powerfully and confidently. He forged clear of his rivals and pulled a gap of over four lengths to the runner up, posting a smart performance in the process. Pattern races were on the cards and a return to Sandown was next for the Group Three Solario Stakes. Back on slightly quicker ground, Devil's Point was slow from the stalls once again and found himself at the rear of the pack at halfway. As the pace picked up, he began to struggle but in similar style to his debut, he was best at the finish and stayed on into third, beat just over a length. The form of the race wasn't particularly strong, but his individual display showed strong stamina. His most recent race took place in France, the birth country of his trainer David Menuisier. The stable have plenty of runners across the Channel and often have regular success. Racing at Saint-Cloud in the Group Three Prix Thomas Byron, this time over a mile on soft ground, Devil's Point found himself stuck out wide throughout. He ran to the best of his ability though and came home a respectable fourth, keeping on at the one pace

Despite not having an aesthetically pleasing race record of many wins, Devil's Point has proved himself enough in Group races to earn his place in this Group One lineup. His ability to handle soft ground will be a bonus over his rivals given the likely tough going for this race. The stable of David Menusier are not afraid to aim their youngsters high and recently won the Group One Criterium International at Saint-Cloud with Sunway, who had previously finished second at Doncaster. He would need to find more improvement, but it wouldn't be out of the question. 

6) DIEGO VELAZQUEZ (Frankel x Sweepstake)

Trainer: Aidan O'Brien (Ire)

Jockey: James Doyle
Form: 11
The main attraction in the race, the chosen one for team Ballydoyle and the one everyone is excited about. On paper, it would take a mighty effort to knock Diego Velazquez from his high perch. 

The intrigue surrounding Diego Velazquez began from the moment he was born, given his famous family. He is a son of Frankel, a modern great in the racehorse world and a superstar sire. It would come as no huge surprise to see this imposing colt end up in the care of Ballydoyle as the stable has enjoyed plenty of success with his siblings. The dam Sweepstake has produced the highly popular veteran Broome, whose longevity as an entire is rarely seen and he is a winner at Royal Ascot, France and in Dubai. The other famous half brother is the high class juvenile Point Lonsdale, who was last seen finishing fourth in the Champion Stakes last weekend. The "little brother" was expected to cast his own path to stardom and has been so impressive to date.

At the sales, the team of Magnier, Tabor, Smith and Westerberg combined to pay a mammoth two and a half million pounds to land the yearling colt. The weight of expectation came with the hefty price tag and the colt's debut was highly anticipated. Starting out at the home of Irish racing, The Curragh, he was an unsurprisingly short priced favourite in the betting. A slightly lairy start caused a few heartbeats to skip, but Diego Velazquez regained his composure and settled into a smooth rhythm. Entering the final stages, it was clear there would be only one winner as the newcomer travelled powerfully. Ryan Moore had to simply release the brake and away his horse went. Lengthening smartly away from a big field, Diego Velazquez crossed the line nearly five lengths clear and made a perfect start to his racing career. It was the performance you would expect from such a highly regarded sort. Next up would be a trip to Irish Champions Weekend and the Group Two Futurity Stakes at Leopardstown. It has been a race that Aidan O'Brien has won countless times and again he was well represented. With the rise in class came a much tougher challenge for Diego Velazquez. His stablemate Capulet set out to make the running as Ryan Moore settled the son of Frankel behind the leaders. Crowning the bend and meeting the rising ground, Capulet wasn't going away and Diego Velazquez found himself in a scrap. He had to dig deep but he found plenty to gradually pull ahead with a comfortable half length winning margin. 

The visual display of his second win may not have been pretty to watch, but it was enough to keep his unbeaten record and he showed a new bow to his string, a willing attitude. He arrives at Doncaster with two wins from two starts and the excitement surrounding the colt is that similar to Auguste Rodin twelve months ago. Given the amount he cost as a younger horse, his breeding and potential, there is an air of something special with Diego Velazquez and anything less than victory would be disappointing.

7) GOD'S WINDOW (Dubawi x Perfect Clarity)
Trainer: John & Thady Gosden
Jockey: Kieren Shoemark
Form: 1

Just one of two runners in the field to have a perfect 100% record and by far the least exposed colt in the field. Given the prestige of his trainer, this entry wouldn't be for the sake of it. They must feel God's Window is a colt of the highest quality.

God's Window is a physically impressive son of super sire Dubawi, who comes only second to Frankel in the sire league. Dubawi has also produced many high class horses over the years over a range of distances, primarily between a mile and ten furlongs. The dam Perfect Clarity was also smart on the track. The mare won Lingfield's Oaks Trial on just her second start before finishing seventh at Epsom in the main event. As a broodmare, she has produced God's Window half sister, Perfect Portrait, who recently placed in a listed race.

God's Window made his racecourse debut at Doncaster back in September for a strong looking maiden on the day of the St Leger. The mile contest is a race that the Gosdens trained the winner of back in 2021 in the form of Israr, a future Group class performer. Given the strength of his trainer, God's Window was strong in the market and shared favouritism with the reopposing Deira Mile and Redhot Whisper, both of whom already had race experience under their belts. Held up from the moment the stalls opened, Kieran Shoemark would give the newcomer an educational ride and it paid off as his colt began to warm through the race. Entering the final stages, God's Window showed a nice turn of speed and found himself in front. Without having to give strong urgings, Shoemark pushed his ride further and landed the race with a degree of comfort. 
It was a winning performance that looked visually impressive as well as being the perfect start to his career. God's Window's professional attitude suggested he was fully clued up on the job. Beating horses with experience whilst making a debut is often worthy of the performance getting higher marks and getting pitched into Group One company straight away suggests the high regard he is held in. The total unknown in the race, it will be fascinating to see which direction his career will take.

8) REDHOT WHISPER (Too Darn Hot x Whispering Bell)
Trainer: Ben Brookhouse
Jockey: Stefano Cherchi

Form: 32

The second of two maidens in the race but yet again hails from a shrewd yard which is rising through the ranks. A fine run in defeat in similar conditions opened the window for this big race opportunity. 

Redhot Whisper is a son of leading first season sire Too Darn Hot, who was exceptional on the track as a two-year-old, remaining unbeaten and winning the Dewhurst. He has also sire leading juveniles Fallen Angel, Alyanaabi and Darnation so far this year and Redhot Whisper had a chance to add to his growing list. The dam Whispering Bell is another with genes from the great Galileo. The pedigree also stretches back to the exciting but ill-fated filly Newfangled, whose career was cut cruelly short on the track.

Redhot Whisper has run to a promising standard and a maiden race would have been a formality, but his adventurous and rising stable were ready to take a dip into the big time with this Group One. Making his debut at Leicester in a relatively ordinary race, Redhot Whisper was held up and showed distinct signs of inexperience. Once the lightbulb above his head flicked on, he began to make up ground on the runaway leader. Finishing third, he had joined the runner up on the line and would have finished closer had he known his job better. With the promise and experience under his belt, Redhot Whisper took in the same maiden event as Deira Mile and the debuting God's Window. A change of tactics was in store and the son of Too Darn Hot raced keenly at the front of the field, setting an average pace. Raising the tempo slightly, he began to take an outright lead but the newcomer God's Window was coming hard and fast. The pair went head to head in the final furlong but Redhot Whisper had to settle for second this time. It was a smart display and one that proved his liking to this Doncaster track.

He returns to settle an old score with God's Window while giving his young trainer Ben Brookhouse a big day out. The light blue and pink silks of Roger Brookhouse are synonymous with high level success over jumps, but now son Ben is taking them to new levels. 

Story Of The Race:

Heavy rain provided by Storm Babet over the course of the previous weekend left the racecourse in a sorry state. The groundstaff performed wonders to eradicate the waterlogged patches around the track but they couldn't prevent the stamina sapping heavy ground on offer. It would be a far from ideal test for these young colts, but an important one for their prospective Classic careers.
An interesting sub plot in the race was the booking of James Doyle for the favourite Diego Velazquez. Doyle is often seen in the all blue of Godolphin, but rivals Coolmore were quick to snap up his services following the riding ban for Ryan Moore. Doyle and O'Brien are a rare partnership but teamed up to score with Warm Heart in the Yorkshire Oaks. Champion jockey William Buick chose Doncaster over Newbury to ride for his retainers Godolphin with Ancient Wisdom. 

1st: Ancient Wisdom
2nd: Devil's Point

3rd: God's Window

Distances: 1.75 lengths & a head.

4th: Deira Mile, 5th: Dancing Gemini, 6th: Diego Velazquez, 7th: Redhot Whisper.

As all eight horses arrived at the start, all seemed quiet and well as they circled behind the stalls, awaiting their turn to enter the gates. The process passed without hitch but seconds before the intended start, Battle Cry suddenly reared up without warning and the momentum caused the colt to fall backwards in a terrifying incident. The stall handlers rushed to his aid immediately as the other horses were taken out of the stalls and away from the scene. A worried hush descended around the stalls as those present feared the worst scenario. Minutes felt like hours as everyone hoped for the best but amazingly, the privacy screens were taken down to reveal Battle Cry back on his feet. The horse looked very groggy and shaken, but it was nothing short of a miracle to see him relatively unscathed. His jockey Ben Curtis also took a nasty hit and was attended to by paramedics.
A huge collective sigh of relief was shared by the racing world and the process to load the horses began once again. It is never ideal for young horses to enter the stalls, let alone twice, but thankfully the remaining seven entered without issue. The race began with a level break and Ancient Wisdom was pushed into his customary forward position under William Buick. The early pace was fairly steady which caused Devil's Point, Redhot Whisper and God's Window to race a shade keenly, using up valuable energy. Diego Velazquez would be ridden in midfield next to Deira Mile and Dancing Gemini while Redhot Whisper and God's Window brought up the rear.

Under a tactically astute ride in the conditions, William Buick gradually wound up the pace and caught his rivals napping. The pressure on those behind began to tell and soon the jockeys were getting more animated in the saddle. Approaching the final furlong, Devil's Point joined Ancient Wisdom in the lead and they began to pull clear. From the rear, God's Window made eye catching progress on just his second start while the writing looked to be on the wall for Diego Velazquez. Godolphin's star juvenile began to assert in front and ground out a clear lead over Devil's Point and crossed the line just under two lengths clear of Devil's Point. It would be tight for third as God's Window joined Devil's Point on the line and the maiden Deira Mile ran a brilliant race, finishing well after being outpaced at a critical point. Dancing Gemini had to settle for fifth after running with the leaders early on but it was disappointment for Coolmore as Diego Velazquez returned home in sixth. It was clear from an early stage that the fears about the ground had come true and it would be worth writing this race off given the extremity of the heavy ground. Redhot Whisper came home seventh and last, but was by no means disgraced in this company.

It would be a rare highlight in a particularly quiet season for Godolphin as they landed just their third Group One of the season. The year started out promisingly with wins in the 1000 Guineas and Lockinge Stakes, but injuries to star names and below par displays added to the frustration for the Newmarket outfit. They had a lot of faith in Ancient Wisdom, particularly due to his price tag and he has lived up to expectation. His pronounced knee action suggested soft ground was always going to be his forte, which gave the colt an edge over his main rival in the race. The son of Dubawi now enters the off season as a leading contender for the Epsom Derby, but the standard of his form could be improved. Ballydoyle currently hold the aces in next year's Classic picture with City Of Troy, Chief Little Bear and potentially a resurgent Diego Velazquez on quicker ground, so Ancient Wisdom will have his work cut out. It could be a different matter all together if there is an unusually wet spring and the ground turns soft at Epsom.

In a race that has produced many famous names, Ancient Wisdom has laid his claim to join the illustrious hall of fame. Whether he is of Derby calibre remains to be seen but he has a lovely attitude to racing and easy to like profile. The main result of the day though was the fact all eight horses returned to their stable safely, the stalls incident was a reminder of how unpredictable and dangerous this sport can be.