Item will be tested against best at York

– Item has been backed to make his presence felt in an all-star £1.5 million (S$2.6 million) Group 1 Juddmonte International Stakes (2,000m) on Aug 19, when he puts his unbeaten York record to the test against Constitution River and defending champion Ombudsman.

In six starts to date, the son of Frankel has won four races, and he has not lost from two runs at York.

Trained by Andrew Balding, Item scored first-up in the Group 2 Dante Stakes (2,000m) at York on May 14.

He disappointed and finished ninth to Christmas Day in the Group 1 Betfred Derby (2,400m) at Epsom Downs on June 6, but quickly bounced back to victory in the Group 2 York Stakes (2,000m) at his last start on July 25.

The Kingsclere handler is now ready to test his three-year-old colt’s mettle in one of the hottest Group 1 events of the summer.

“He’s a horse we’ve always had huge belief in. Bar Epsom, Derby Day, on which the ground was not to his liking, he’s got a flawless record,” said Balding.

“He’s won his other four starts and was quite impressive last time (York Stakes) at York, given that the race probably wasn’t run ideally to suit him.

“But we’re there with the best older horse in Europe and probably the best three-year-old in Europe. It’s no easy task. But it would be great to go there and see how he can pitch in against those two.”

Trainers John and Thady Gosden’s top-class performer Ombudsman will aim to retain his Juddmonte International Stakes crown, while the Aidan O’Brien-trained recent Group 1 Coral-Eclipse Stakes (2,000m) victor Constitution River would be hot on his heels.

On course to join Item on a trip up north is fellow Juddmonte-owned star Kalpana, who is thriving this term and seeks to add to the Group 1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2,400m) crown she picked up at Ascot on July 25.

Balding is happy with how the five-year-old daughter of Study Of Man is at the moment.

“I’m very pleased with how she’s moving and how her appetite has been since Ascot,” he said.

“She’s got a big piece of work to do before confirming that we’re going to York. But as long as that goes well, we’re really looking forward to it.”

Balding and Juddmonte could also be represented in the £500,000 Sky Bet Ebor Handicap (2,800m) on Aug 22, when Tarriance will bid to not only improve on his recent fourth in handicap company (2,800m) at Goodwood, but add to the Melrose Handicap (2,800m) he won at York on Aug 23, 2025.

“I thought he ran an excellent race last time. He’d been off the track for a bit because we were saving him for the Ebor and that was very much an intended break,” said Balding.

“We got him up early to go to Saudi in the winter and he then ran well in the (Group 2) Yorkshire Cup (2,800m), I thought.

“We decided after that – having won the Melrose last year – that this was his primary target and couldn’t have been happier with his prep run or how he’s come out of it.”

The Park House Stables handler is poised to be well-represented across the four-day Ebor Festival.

Also in contention for an appearance on the Knavesmire is defending champion Never So Brave, Marvelman and Flora Of Bermuda, as Balding holds a strong hand for the Group 1 City of York Stakes (1,400m) on Aug 22.

Flora Of Bermuda brings an impeccable course record to the table. The Dark Angel five-year-old followed up her Group 3 Summer Stakes (1,200m) success when stepping up to 1,400m in the Group 3 Oak Tree Stakes at Goodwood.

Now, the Wathnan Racing-owned mare arrives at the peak of her powers.

“I think the one that would certainly go would be Flora Of Bermuda, who seems to be effective on any ground. She won the Oak Tree well, showing that she stays seven furlongs,” said Balding.

“She’s won twice at York before over six furlongs and it looks the perfect spot for her, really. She’s not won a Group 1 yet, but she’s been placed in a couple.

“Marvelman, I think he’s a very smart horse but he’s better with give in the ground. His participation would depend on the going.

“Never So Brave has been left in the (Group 2) Hungerford (Stakes, 1,400m) at Newbury on Saturday and we’ll have that as an option as well.

“I feel he’s just coming back to where he was this time last year. I thought he ran well in the (Group 1) Sussex Stakes (1,600m).” RACING AND SPORTS