Gosden hails "special performance" as Ombudsman gains revenge
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Sat 17 Oct 2026
Buick savours revenge in the Champions Stakes (focusonracing.com)
Ombudsman exacted Qatar Racing Champion Stakes revenge on Calandagan to come on top with a show-stopping performance at Ascot.
It was Francis-Henri Graffard’s French raider who took home the spoils 12 months ago, but this time around there was a decisive verdict in favour of John and Thady Gosden’s home favourite, who obliged as the 5-4 market leader.
With the six-strong field heading into the home straight grouped tightly together, the stage was set for Ombudsman to demonstrate the blistering turn of foot that has often been a hallmark of his career.
When William Buick asked him to quicken, he scorched past eventual third Bay City Roller before seeing off Calandagan to banish Juddmonte International disappointment and prove he is truly one of the best middle-distance horses on the planet.
John Gosden said: “I thought William was riding him very confidently in the straight and I thought, ‘when are you going to go?’. He showed that turn of foot.
“The ground today is on the slow side of good, he can handle that, at York he just spun his wheels, but today it was back to seeing what he is.
“We set nice, even fractions – Rab (Havlin) on Devil’s Advocate – there was no plan to go fast, slow, pull it up, we talked about that before, solid even fractions. A special performance from a special horse.
“We got a little too far back in this race last year, way back, 10, 11 lengths off it, so we thought we’re not going to do that again. This time the race went perfectly, he rode him just how he wanted to and he’s a top-class horse when we get it right. I think we got the tactics a little faulty last year, but don’t take anything away from Calandagan, he won well.”
On whether Ombudsman runs again, Gosden said: “Either he will go to stud or I will discuss with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed if he would like to consider putting him in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, that’s the only other option now.
“Golden Horn didn’t enjoy it at Keeneland because it was like a sandpit when he ran and it rained three inches, but this horse, he’d handle it well, he’s quick, he’s agile, he could have sat on the lead if he’d wanted to today.
“He’s the right type of horse and I think the track would suit him so it’s a possibility; we don’t have to make a rapid decision.
“The best mile-and-a-quarter horse (I’ve trained), definitely. I don’t know if he’s the best, he’s going to stud so I’d better say yes hadn’t I because that helps sell the nominations!”
Thady Gosden said: “To have a horse of this calibre winning on a day like today is fantastic.
“The race at York just didn’t pan out for him, it was nobody’s fault and we can’t control the weather. He just had a nice freshen up after it and came here in good form.
“He’s a year older than last year, still retains his enthusiasm and is always full of it.
“To beat a horse like Calandagan takes some doing, we found that out last year and he went all around the world proving it, but today was our turn.”
Buick said: “They are two great racehorses, him and Calandgan, they produced a great race last year and it was our turn today.
“I don’t think he’d have any problems going to America, obviously it would be his first time at a mile and a half but I’d leave that up to John and Thady and the team.
“It’s difficult to rate his performances, you’ve got to remember he’s been very good in winning the Prince of Wales’s twice, but he was very good here today. You could pick a lot of his performances, this being certainly one.”
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