No complaints about the Ombudsman as he headlines stellar Eclipse Stakes line-up at Sandown
Ombudsman headlines a stellar cast of world-class runners in the Group One Eclipse Stakes (1,990m) at Sandown on Saturday.
The John and Thady Gosden-trained four-year-old bounced back from defeat on seasonal reappearance with a devastating performance to win the Group One Prince Of Wales's Stakes (2,000m) at Royal Ascot last month.
Held up for a run for much of the straight, William Buick managed to manoeuvre around runners at the 200m pole and charge home to win going away in impressive fashion.
That took his record to five wins from six starts and owners Godolphin come into the race with two chances, with Group One 2,000 Guineas (1,600m) winner Ruling Court looking to bounce back from defeat in the Group One St James's Palace Stakes (1,600m).
WOW! OMBUDSMAN THROUGH TRAFFIC TO WIN THE PRINCE OF WALES'S STAKES! #ROYALASCOT pic.twitter.com/xRL1TAXgbz — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 18, 2025
'The Prince Of Wales's was a very tough race with a lot of Group One horses in there. He is still relatively inexperienced and that was his first run in a Group One,' said Thady Gosden of Ombudsman on Godolphin's website.
'We always thought he had the potential to be a horse of the class he has turned out to be and we found that out at Ascot. He is a horse that has developed quite gradually and hopefully has a bright future ahead of him.
'He stays a mile and a quarter, which gives us plenty of options, and we'll have to see if he stays any further. Sandown is a stiff mile and a quarter and we'll know more after this.'
Chief of the dangers is likely to be last year's Group One Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (2,400m) fourth Sosie, who is unbeaten in two Group One starts this year, most recently in the Group One Prix d'Ispahan (1,800m).
Sosie picks up impressively to reel in Sardinian Warrior and take out the Group One Prix d'Ispahan at ParisLongchamp! 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/CDzfhxt9zG — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 25, 2025
The field is completed by Classic winners Camille Pissarro and Ruling Court, Aidan O'Brien's Delacroix and juvenile top-level scorer Hotazhell.
There is also simulcast action from South Africa, with the Group One Durban July (2,200m) featuring a huge field of 18 runners.
The favourite is likely to be the Group One Cape Metropolitan Stakes (2,000m) winner Eight On Eighteen, but he will face stern competition from last year's hero Oriental Charm.
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