About the race
The Juddmonte International is a Group 1 race over about a mile and a quarter at York, open to three-year-olds and upwards and run on the Wednesday that opens the Sky Bet Ebor Festival in August. York dates its history to 1972, and Wikipedia gives 1972 as the first running, under the name Benson and Hedges Gold Cup. Juddmonte has sponsored it since 1989. York raised the prize fund to GBP 1.5 million for 2026, which it describes as the richest race ever staged at the course, and says the race was ranked the Longines World’s Best Race in 2020 and 2024.
Ombudsman won the 2025 running on 20 August for John and Thady Gosden under William Buick, beating the Eclipse winner Delacroix. Item, owned by Juddmonte and trained by Andrew Balding, won on 19 August 2026. York has fixed the 2027 running for Wednesday 18 August.
The 2025 running
| Date | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 August 2025 | Ombudsman (IRE) | William Buick | John & Thady Gosden | Godolphin |
From the official result.
The 2026 running
| Date | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 August 2026 | Item | Colin Keane | Andrew Balding | Juddmonte |
From the official result.
Recognition and facts
- Race day
- Wednesday, the opening day of the Sky Bet Ebor Festival
- Sponsor since
- 1989 (Juddmonte)
- Japan Cup bonus
- JRA bonus for a horse winning both this race and the Japan Cup raised to USD 5 million from USD 3 million, as announced by York
- 2026 winner's prize
- GBP 850,650
- 2026 entries
- 30
Questions readers ask
When is the Juddmonte International run?
York has listed the 2027 running for Wednesday 18 August, the opening day of the Sky Bet Ebor Festival.
What is the prize fund of the Juddmonte International?
GBP 1.5 million in 2026, which York describes as the richest race ever staged at the course.
Who won the Juddmonte International in 2025?
Ombudsman, trained by John and Thady Gosden and ridden by William Buick, won on 20 August 2025 for Godolphin.
Sources
The rank and rating are from the IFHA's LONGINES World's Top 100 Group/Grade 1 Races 2025, published 21 January 2026, which ranks races by the ratings of their first four finishers. Other facts are from the pages listed below.
- IFHA: LONGINES World's Top 100 Group/Grade 1 Races 2025 (published 21 January 2026)
- Double boost for the Juddmonte International, York Racecourse
- 2027 confirmed fixtures, York Racecourse
- A memorable Sky Bet Ebor Festival draws to a conclusion, York Racecourse
- Racing Post result: Juddmonte International Stakes, York, 20 August 2025
- International Stakes, Wikipedia