The Cox Plate has further established its position as one of the most sought-after prizes in world horse racing, after securing a partnership with the Juddmonte International Stakes.
For many racing fans in the UK, the Juddmonte International is the highlight of the Ebor Festival, which takes place at York racecourse towards the end of August. Legendary names like Dahlia, Sea The Stars, Australia and Frankel claimed Group One glory at York during their illustrious careers and this year’s renewal promises to be as exciting as ever.
Being a 2000m contest, the Juddmonte International is often used as a stepping stone towards either the Irish Champion Stakes or the British Champion Stakes, both of which are runthe autumn. An Australian horse racing option was thrown into the mix this week, after organisers announced that the Juddmonte International Stakes was now a “win and you’re in” qualifier for the Cox Plate which Australian bookmakers have already began upload odds for.
“The Juddmonte International Stakes and the Ladbrokes Cox Plate are two of the greatest Weight For Age races in the world,” said William Darby, chief executive of York Racecourse, when the link-up was announced. “It is a pleasure to have them correlate with one another in 2023.”
The Juddmonte International is the third such International Group One where the winner will gain automatic entry to the Cox Plate. Japanese superstar Equinox booked his berth by winning the Takarazuka Kinen last month. The winner of the Saratoga Derby – held on Saturday, 5th August – will also be guaranteed a spot in the field at Moonee Valley.
International qualifiers have enjoyed success in recent editions of the Cox Plate. Yoshito Yahagi’s Lys Gracieux built on her victory in the 2021 Takarazuka Kinen by winning on her sole Australian start. The following year, State Of Rest won the Cox Plate for Melbourne Cup-winning trainer, Joseph O’Brien.
Joseph’s father, the incredibly successful Aidan O’Brien has managed to win the Cox Plate just once, striking with Adelaide back in 2014. Aidan currently has his two top coltsentered in the 2023 Juddmonte International Stakes and Ireland’s Champion Trainer seemed excited at the prospect of either Paddington or Auguste Rodin travelling to Australia to take part in the Cox Plate.
“The Cox Plate has enormous prestige and is a very important race for a colt to win, especially for a potential dual hemisphere stallion,” O’Brien said. “It is always a great race and a very prestigious race on the international calendar.”
Juddmonte Stud itself could be represented in the 2023 Cox Plate if Mostahdaf, who ran away with the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot, can beat Aidan O’Brien’s three-year-olds at York. Sir Michael Stoute has handed a Juddmonte International Stakes entry to former Epsom Derby winner, Desert Crown, who could be joined in the field by Coronation Cup winner, Emily Upjohn and this season’s Epsom Derby runner-up, King Of Steel.
