Item Lands 10-1 International Stakes Upset at York

Item produced a late surge to win the Group One International Stakes at York on Wednesday, denying Almaqam by a head in a 10-1 upset. The Guardian reported that Andrew Balding’s three-year-old, ridden by Colin Keane, reached the front in the final strides after the race developed differently from pre-race expectations.

Action, expected to help set the pace for Aidan O’Brien’s team, was slow to begin. That left stablemate Constitution River racing much closer to the lead than anticipated behind Hawk Mountain, while 5-6 favourite Ombudsman was positioned at the rear and remained last as the field turned for home. Pride Of Arras was taken out of the contest following an incident at the stalls.

Almaqam made his move under Kieran Shoemark and appeared to have established a decisive advantage approaching the finish. Ombudsman, ridden by William Buick, had difficulty finding a clear route before briefly challenging near the far rail. As Almaqam began to tire on the rain-softened surface, Keane drove Item forward to secure the narrow victory.

Constitution River finished third, with Ombudsman fourth in the eight-runner race. John Gosden, Ombudsman’s trainer, said the favourite was fine afterward but was unsuited by ground that had become soft following rain during the previous 24 hours. The altered pace pattern also left the two leading contenders in positions that had not been expected before the start.

The success improved Item’s record to five wins from six races. His only defeat remains a ninth-place finish in the Derby, which was the fourth start of his career. Before Wednesday’s Group One breakthrough, he had already won two Group Two races over the same York course and distance earlier in the season.

Balding disclosed after the race that Item’s participation had been uncertain because of a problem with his feet around the declaration stage. Staff worked to resolve the issue, and the final decision to travel was made at 5 a.m. on race day. Balding did not confirm the colt’s next target, though he said Item can stay a mile and a half. The win was the third in the race for Juddmonte, whose green, white and pink colours were carried by the winner and which has sponsored the event since 1989.