Trained by Andrew Balding for the sponsors, Juddmonte Farms, the Colin Keane-ridden son of Frankel outstayed the opposition inside the final furlong to gain a head success over Almaqam (14/1).

While it had been billed as a clash of the generations, namely Constitution River representing the classic generation, and Ombudsman, the older generation, it turned out to be a generational clash alright, but with different protagonists.

The three-year-old Item, winner of the Group 2 Sky Bet York Stakes over course and distance last time, kept on well at the death to get the better of the five-year son of Lope De Vega, Almaqam, the mount of Kieran Shoemark.

Plans for the entire race were quickly dispensed with shortly after horses exited the stalls as the pacemakers for Godolphin, Devil’s Advocate (200/1), and for Coolmore, Action (200/1), both failed to get to the head of the field.

As a result, Hawk Mountain (20/1) and Wayne Lordan, the perceived Ballydoyle second string, had to make the pace for his stablemate, French Derby and Coral-Eclipse winner, Constitution River.

Though the latter claimed the lead at the two-furlong pole, his market rival, Ombudsman (5/6f), who had been in a poor position, found space along the rail to make his run, but he would ultimately only manage fourth place.

Almaqam, the eventual runner-up, and Item, came on Constitution River and Ryan Moore’s outside, with first, the Ed Walker-trained 122-rated Almaqam leading, before Item and Colin Keane outstayed them to the line.

Constitution River took third, three-and-a-half lengths behind the Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum-owned runner-up, with the race favourite, Ombudsman and William Buick, next to pass the post, a length behind the Aidan O’Brien-handled son of Wootton Bassett.

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The afternoon’s highlight will be the Group 1 Juddmonte International Stakes at 3.35pm when the generations will clash over a mile 2 furlongs and 56 yards.

Constitution River, winner of the French Derby and representing the classic generation, will put his 2026 unbeaten record on the line when he meets the five-year-old Ombudsman, winner of this race last year.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained Godolphin owned is unbeaten in his three runs this season and will be the mount of William Buick.

Ryan Moore will be aboard the Coral-Eclipse-winning son of Wootton Bassett, Constitution River, and he will represent the Coolmore partners.

Item, in the colours of the race sponsors, comes from the Andrew Balding yard and will be the mount of Colin Keane, as he bids to step up in grade from his win in the Group 2 Sky Bet York Stakes here last month.

The Wayne Lordan-ridden Hawk Mountain, who was third and runner-up respectively to Constitution River in his two most recent starts, is likely to be involved in the business end of the nine-runner contest.

With the main protagonists, Ombudsman and Constitution River, having their own respective pacemakers in Devil’s Advocate (Rab Havlin) and Action (Ronan Whelan), the pace is likely to be strong. Though the three-year-old Constitution River will receive seven pounds from his main rival, Ombudsman, the latter has an official rating of 132, which is well ahead of the rest of the field, and the previous course and distance winner is likely to be very difficult to beat.

Haffner to get back to winning ways?

Elsewhere on the card, both Aidan O’Brien and Paddy Twomey will be represented in the Group 3 Tattersalls Acomb Stakes at 2.25pm. Haffner, the choice of Ryan Moore, was beaten in the Group 2 Coral Vintage Stakes at Goodwood last time, and connections will be hopeful of getting back to winning ways.

Paddy Twomey’s Tréan won his maiden at Galway’s Summer Festival and takes the leap into group company for the Red Lily Racing Syndicate.

Derby horses to clash again in Great Voltigeur

The 2026 Betfred Derby winner at Epsom, Christmas Day, runs in the Group 3 Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes at 3.00pm.

Beaten since in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at The Curragh, when runner-up, he will clash with Maltese Falcon again, the William Haggas-trained son of Sea The Stars, who was two-and-three-quarter lengths behind Christmas Day and Ronan Whelan at Epsom. Pierre Bonnard, who finished only a neck behind Christmas Day at The Curragh, should help make this another intriguing race.

Irish-trained runners at York Racecourse on Wednesday, 19 August 2026:

2.25 Tattersalls Acomb Stakes (Group 3)

Confucius (IRE) A P O’Brien
Haffner (USA) A P O’Brien
Tréan (IRE) P Twomey

3.00 Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes (Group 2)

Christmas Day (IRE) A P O’Brien
Antigua (IRE) A P O’Brien
Pierre Bonnard (IRE) A P O’Brien

3.35 Juddmonte International Stakes (Group 1)

Action (IRE) A P O’Brien
Constitution River (FR) A P O’Brien
Hawk Mountain (IRE) A P O’Brien

4.10 Sky Bet Stayers Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)

Small Fry (IRE) Joseph O’Brien 
Mordor (FR) Gordon Elliott 
Westminster Moon (IRE) A J Martin

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