23 August 2023 , 15:50
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The Juddmonte International’s notoriety as ‘the graveyard of champions’ struck again when the outstanding racehorse of the 2023 Flat season, Paddington, suffered shock defeat at York.
The Aidan O’Brien trained Paddington was sent off a 4-6 favourite to add the £1 million prize to wins in the Irish 2,000 Guineas, St James’s Palace Stakes, Eclipse Stakes and Sussex Stakes.
Yet he could finish only third as Mostahdaf found Paddington had an achilles heel under a tactical plan perfectly executed by Frankie Dettori.
Paddington joined some greats of the turf who have been beaten in the great race, a record which stretches back to its inaugural running when Brigadier Gerard was beaten by Roberto in 1972.
Grundy, Oh So Sharp, Bosra Sham and Golden Horn were others to suffer odds-on defeats.
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Riding for the final time in the race, Dettori tried to expose any shortcomings in Paddington’s stamina as he committed to make all the running on the John and Thady Gosden-trained Mostahdaf.
Paddington managed to close to within a length of his rival, but Mostahdaf kept piling on the pace and was not for catching as his stablemate Nashwa pipped the favourite for second in the shadow of the post.
A disappointed Ryan Moore said: “Paddington still ran a very good race. Full credit to the winner. Frankie turned it into a test. He wasn’t as comfortable as what he would be normally and maybe the hard race at Goodwood may have left its mark. The winner was very good.”
Dettori, who overtook the legendary Lester Piggott with his sixth International victory, was only riding the winner because regular jockey Jim Crowley was serving a 20-day whip ban.
“I am very sorry for Jim that he is suspended.," he said. "This is your horse buddy. He helped me out about the characteristics of the horse.
“I spoke with John at length, I studied all these videos and there was only one way to try to beat Paddington, to make it a proper gallop, so I did.”
Frankie Dettori salutes his sixth win in the International (Getty Images)He went on, “You are giving a champion three-year-old 7lb you want to be in front of him, not behind him.
“It was a lucky ride. To be the first man to win six Internationals, I am very proud. I beat the great Lester Piggott. It’s my last year and to finish on a high like that is amazing.”
John Gosden said: “For those who like their history, if they remember Roberto beating Brigadier Gerard in this race, ridden by Braulio Baeza, he did exactly the same. He clocked off 12, 12, 12 [seconds] for the furlong. It takes the stamina away. If the horse has suspect stamina it catches them out. It was a brilliant ride from Frankie.”