Champion Stakes hero Ombudsman will conclude his racing career with a prestigious appearance in the Japan Cup, trainer John Gosden has confirmed. The Godolphin-owned stallion, who recently secured back-to-back victories in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, will tackle a mile and a half for the first time in Tokyo on November 29. This final start on the global stage marks the end of a stellar campaign for the son of Night Of Thunder, who was previously ruled out of the Breeders’ Cup last month to prioritize his fitness for the Far East.
John Gosden confirms Godolphin star’s final race before retirement to Darley Stud
Joint-trainers John and Thady Gosden strategically elected against a Breeders’ Cup run following Ombudsman’s dominant performance in the Champion Stakes, focusing instead on this ultimate test. The decision underscores the confidence in his ability to handle the increased distance and the unique conditions of the Japanese track. By targeting the Japan Cup, the Gosden team aims to cap off a career defined by elite consistency and high-profile wins, ensuring the horse enters stud duties at Darley’s Kildangan Stud in Ireland in 2027 with maximum prestige.
Godolphin managing director Hugh Anderson emphasized that Ombudsman’s legacy is already cemented as one of the best representatives of Sheikh Mohammed’s operation. “John is a master trainer and has obviously got his eye very firmly on this prize. It’s very exciting,” Anderson stated. Regardless of the outcome in the Far East, the horse’s career has been a model of excellence, and he is poised to join the pantheon of Godolphin greats who have left an indelible mark on international flat racing.
Source: Sky Sports
