Ulysses’ trojan effort gives Stoute record win
LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Ulysses gave veteran trainer Michael Stoute a record sixth win in the Group One International Stakes, the feature race on the first day of the prestigious York meeting on Wednesday.
Patiently ridden by champion jockey Jim Crowley, the fouryear- old overhauled the two market leaders Churchill and Barney Roy in the final furlong to prevail in impressive fashion in the £1 million race.
“It all went so smoothly,” said Stoute. “There was not a blip out there. This is his best performance so far,” added the 71-year-old Barbados-born trainer, who first trained the winner of the race in 1986.
Stoute said that owner Maria Niarchos — who accepted the trophy on crutches — wanted the stable star to go for the Breeders’ Cup Turf on November 4 in Del Mar, California.
Churchill lost little in defeat after the Aidan O’Brien-trained three-year-old showed some of the sparkle that had seen him win four Group One races before disappointing at Royal Ascot last time out. C
hurchill’s jockey Ryan Moore managed to hold off James Doyle on Barney Roy, the two of them having engaged in a thrilling duel from the top of the finishing straight, only for Crowley to come from off the pace and spoil their fun.
“He gave me the best feeling I have had on him so far,” said Crowley, who guided Ulysses to victory in the Group One Eclipse Stakes earlier this season with a narrow win over Barney Roy.
“He is getting better and better and just lobbed round the course for most of the race.
“He only does as much as he has to, but that is not a criticism.”