ULYSSES COMES OF AGE

Stoute colt romps to another big win

Before last season’s Derby, trainer Sir Michael Stoute was uncharacteristically bullish about an inexperienced Newbury maiden winner called Ulysses.

Unfortunately, the epsom experience proved too much too soon for the immature colt but the innate ability Stoute had spotted is now clear after a two-length win in the £1million Juddmonte International Stakes.

Ulysses might have been brushed aside by the brilliant enable on ground reckoned far too soft for him in last month’s King George at Ascot. But after he added yesterday’s prize to his Group one success in the eclipse Stakes at Sandown, Ulysses can lay claim to being among the best middle-distance colts running in europe.

In the eclipse, Ulysses edged home by a nose from Barney roy. Yesterday the margin between the two was more than two lengths as Barney roy finished third.

Ulysses’ task on the Knavesmire may have been made easier as runner-up Churchill and Barney roy blunted each other by racing full-on over the final three furlongs. But jockey Jim Crowley always had gears to play with on Ulysses, who provided Stoute with a record sixth win in the race.

Time was when top-class horses regularly rolled off the Stoute conveyor belt. The production line is not as prolific these days, which maybe explained why Stoute said the victory of Ulysses had given him greatest pleasure.

Stoute said: ‘I think this was his best performance to date. All my wins in this race have been special but I particularly enjoyed this one because we have got very fond of this horse.

‘It wasn’t difficult spotting his talent because he is a quality, beautifully balanced horse with a hell of a pedigree. I was always hopeful he could be a top-class horse and he is now.’

Crowley, riding in his first International Stakes, added: ‘He was always cantering.’

Stoute said the son of Galileo deserves a break but if he does race before the Breeders’ Cup Turf in November it will be in the Arc the month before.

That would mean a likely re-match with enable, providing all goes right with John Gosden’s filly in today’s Yorkshire oaks.

Gosden has the option of running Cracksman in the Arc after an impressive six-length victory in yesterday’s Great Voltigeur Stakes. But he said it was only a ‘possibility’ for the frankie Dettori-ridden winner.