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Juddmonte International hero continues a brilliant year for Shadwell

Mostahdaf confirmed himself one of the best horses in the world with a brilliant all-the-way victory in the Juddmonte International at York on Tuesday.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained five-year-old was facing only three rivals, including the multiple Group 1 winners Nashwa and Paddington, so it might have been a tactical affair, but he was sent straight into a clear lead by Frankie Dettori and the others were unable to head him.

In the final furlong Mostahdaf was subjected to sustained challenges by Paddington on his right and Nashwa on his left, along the rail, but he wasn’t for catching and he stuck on really bravely to record a length victory.

Mostahdaf came into the race on the back of an exceptional success over Luxembourg, Adayar and Bay Bridge in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot. He has now won ten of his 16 starts, eight in black-type company.

“He’s a proper horse and he’s won that in a proper time,” said John Gosden after the race. “He won from the back at Ascot and from the front here and he’s getting better with age.”

The Shadwell homebred is by Frankel out of the Listed-winning Dubawi mare Handassa, making him a half-brother to Falmouth Stakes and Sun Chariot Stakes heroine Nazeef, and this season’s St James’s Palace Stakes sixth Mostabshir. His family traces back to Group 1 sprinters Pastoral Pursuits and Goodricke.

Mostahdaf continues a phenomenal season on the track for Shadwell, following other top-level victories for Alfareeq (Jebel Hatta), Danyah (Al Quoz Sprint), Anmaat (Prix d’Ispahan), Hukum (King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes) and Al Husn (Nassau Stakes).