Ghaiyyath the great makes it three at top level this season in Juddmonte
● He’s best I’ve ever ridden, says Buick ● Pyledriver powers to Voltigeur victory
Ghaiyyath took his brilliant winning run to three Group Ones this season by repelling all challengers in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York.
Charlie Appleby’s front-runner led throughout once again as he saw off a top-class fivestrong field to win by three lengths as the 11-8 favourite, under William Buick.
Ghaiyyath predictably had to contend with the close attendance of outsider Rose Of Kildare in the early stages – and once that hazard was out of the way, he was harried into the final two furlongs by 2,000 Guineas winner Kameko and multiple Group One heroine Magical.
But none ever closed within two lengths as Appleby’s fiveyear-old added this success to his Coronation Cup and Coral-eclipse victories in the past two months.
Magical took second spot, with Lord North eventually staying on past Kameko into third.
Appleby said afterwards: “I’m delighted with that performance today. To have a horse like that on our hands is an honour.
“A fantastic ride by William. It was a nice race to watch. He got into a lovely rhythm and I knew coming up the straight, once I saw William gather him up and change his hands, I was confident he would gallop on strongly to the line.”
Buick said: “This horse can do all the things most horses can’t.
“His high cruising speed, the way he keeps going and at the business end he has another gear just to finish the race off completely.
“I love him. He’s a high-class horse and he’s now got everything on his CV. He’s been beaten the best around at this trip.
“He’s obviously very good at a mile and a quarter. He stays a mile and a half. It’s going to be interesting to see if he’ll get an end-of-season target like the Arc. I don’t know.
“His highness Sheikh Mohammed and Charlie will decide what’s best for the horse. As long as the ground isn’t bad, I’m sure the Arc would be an interesting target for him.
“He’s the best I’ve ridden without a doubt.”
In the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes, Pyledriver delivered a power-packed performance to register his second Group Two triumph.
The King Edward VII Stakes winner put an unfortunate run in the Derby behind him to show his true his colours in terrific fashion and strike for trainer William Muir and jockey Martin Dwyer, his sonin-law.
Subjectivist set the pace with Berkshire Rocco and Roberto Escobarr close up and Pyledriver towards the rear.
The pack opened up in the straight, with every one of the eight runners having a chance until Pyledriver saunted through on the far side of the track to make his bid.
Once Pyledriver (10-1) hit the front, the race was as good as over, despite having a 3lb penalty for his Royal Ascot success.
Highland Chief (11-1) was three and a half lengths back in second place with Mogul (85-40 favourite) half a length away in third.
Pyledriver was quoted at 8-1 with Betway to win the St Leger at Doncaster next month and was slashed to 6-1 from 16-1 with Betway and Paddy Power.
Muir said: “He’s one of the best horses I’ve trained. Averti was beaten a head in a Nunthorpe, Stepper Point was beaten half a length in the Nunthorpe. This horse needs to win a Group One to be the best, but he could well get there.”