Ghaiyyath supreme in Juddmonte International

Do you yet believe? You probably should start to believe.

With every Group 1 victory – now three in a row – Ghaiyyath gains converts. The brute horse moves like an equine god, thundering to the lead, daring the pursuing pack to match his pace, and so far this year no one has. Ghaiyyath rocked in the Group 1 Coronation Cup in June, rolled to a two-length win over two-time Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Enable in July, and on Wednesday at York dominated a small but select bunch in the Group 1 Juddmonte International. Three different Group 1 winners – Kameko, Lord North, and Magical – tried to move on Ghaiyyath through the races final three furlongs, none gained traction, and Ghaiyyath crossed the line three lengths best.

Coming home second was Magical, who got a three-pound sex allowance from the winner, and despite her elite performance level failed to dent Ghaiyyath’s armor. After the 1 1/2-mile Coronation score, Ghaiyyath has proven equally effective over 1 1/4 miles in the Eclipse Stakes and again Wednesday at about 1 5/16 miles.

“He’s the best I’ve ever ridden, without a doubt,” said jockey William Buick, who has ridden some really good horses for the likes of John Gosden and as a contract rider now for Godolphin, Ghaiyyath’s owner. Buick has ridden Ghaiyyath his last 10 starts as the 5-year-old horse has translated periodic bursts of brilliance into consistent excellence. Ghaiyyath appears to have gained confidence and comfort; he pulls less hard than he once did, and when Buick tapped him lightly with the whip three furlongs from the finish, Ghaiyyath, having already controlled the proceedings, hit another gear.

“Once he hits that second gear, he is relentless,” said trainer Charlie Appleby, who has managed Ghaiyyath’s development into one of the world’s best racehorses – if not simply the best. “He won’t lie down. He is an exceptional galloper.”

Magical was 1 1/4 lengths better than Lord North, who finished three-quarters of a length ahead of fourth-place Kameko.

Ghaiyyath, by Dubawi out of Nightime, by Galileo, now is a nine-time winner from 12 starts. He was undone by very soft ground last year in the Arc, where he faded to 10th, and one guesses connections would dodge a date in Paris under similar conditions. Otherwise, the Arc appears to be Ghaiyyath’s main autumn goal, though connections have committed to no schedule. The International was a Breeders’ Cup Challenge Win and You’re In race offering automatic, fees-paid entry into the BC Classic, and it’s no great stretch imagining Ghaiyyath taking his act to dirt.

Battaash odds-on in Nunthorpe

Battaash is a strong odds-on favorite to win the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes over a straight five furlongs Friday at York. Roughly a 1-2 shot with British bookmakers as of Wednesday, Battaash finished fourth in the 2017 and 2018 renewals of the Nunthorpe before winning last year by 3 1/2 lengths. Three-year-old Art Power easily is the second most supported runner among seven others entered as trainer Wesley Ward decided against sending 2-year-old Golden Pal to the race, as he initially had planned. The Nunthorpe is a Win and You’re In race offering automatic fees-paid entry into the BC Turf Sprint at Keeneland.