Ombudsman and Constitution River meet in International Stakes at York

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Updates from the opening day’s card at York Constitution River can fill Bow Echo void | Mail Greg Good afternoon from the Knavesmire in York on day one of the Ebor Festival 2026, when the first meeting between Ombudsman and Constitution River, two of the best middle-distance horses in global Flat racing this year, in the Group One International Stakes is the feature event on the card at 3.35. It is a head-to-head with twists and sub-plots, worth far more to the connections of the two horses than their share of a £1.5m prize fund. Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin and the Coolmore Stud operation in Ireland, the twin superpowers of global racing and bloodstock, field Ombudsman and Constitution River respectively, while there has also been a little needle – largely but not wholly light-hearted – between John Gosden and Aidan O’Brien, the two horses’ trainers, in the past. Continue reading...