Juddmonte International Stakes (Group 1)

THE brilliant Ghaiyyath (Charlie Appleby/William Buick), unbeaten and largely unchallenged in three previous races this year, once again led throughout the Juddmonte International to win by three lengths as the 11/8 favourite, beating Magical (Aidan O’Brien/Ryan Moore) and a Lord North (John Gosden/James Doyle).

The Godolphin-owned entire looked a huge talent last season before flopping in the Arc, but there have been no chinks in his armour as a five-year-old, the son of Dubawi simply looking more mature and able to recover better from the huge performances he can produce, and he was never stronger than at the finish here having allowed the pack to close on him halfway up the straight.

Ghaiyyath brushed aside the initial challenge of Rose Of Kildare and while it looked like 2000 Guineas winner Kameko and Lord North would throw down bigger challenges when they moved up with a quarter mile left, neither of that pair was able to maintain their run, and it was the doughty Magical who stayed on best for minor honours, without looking likely to get to grips with the winner at any stage.

Kameko again shaped better than the bare result having also finished fourth in the Derby and Sussex Stakes and as at Epsom, he seemed not to stay after travelling well. He will revert to a mile, according to Andrew Balding, while Lord North could clash again with Magical in the Irish Champion Stakes.

Charlie Appleby has long held Ghaiyyath in the highest esteem, and was understandably proud of the result: “I’m delighted with that. It was a great performance, and it’s important for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and the team to have a horse like this on our hands. He’s not let us down this year and as I said right at the start of the year, he’s more the finished article now. I’m just delighted for the whole team.

“We had our plan; the Coronation, miss Ascot and go for the Eclipse before coming here. As we all know plans don’t always work out, but he’s been exceptional every start this year. I’ve said before that last year he took time to get over races as he put so much in, but right from the get-go we weren’t seeing those dips this year. To have him deliver on each occasion is fantastic for everybody.”

William Buick was full of praise for the horse he hailed as the best middle-distance horse he’s ridden: “This horse can do all the things most horses can’t. He has an amazing cruising speed we’ve seen many times from him, and he manages to see his races off as well. It all went how I wanted it to. He was happy all the way throughout and it was a smooth performance.

“He’s always been well regarded at Moulton Paddocks and now everything has come in place for him. We’ll see about the Arc. Obviously, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and Charlie will speak and do whatever is best for the horse.”