The Moonee Valley Racing Club (MVRC) in conjunction with York Race Committee have confirmed the Group 1 Juddmonte International (2063 metres) on Wednesday 21 August as the third and final Ladbrokes Cox Plate International Invitational Qualifier.
Entries for the record purse of £1,250,000 (AUD $2.4 million) feature are headed by 123-rated City Of Troy, the current highest rated turf colt in the world, with two current Ladbrokes Cox Plate nominated horses among the chances.
Alongside the favourite for the race, champion trainer Aidan O’Brien also has bold frontrunner Hans Anderson. Harry Eustace will run 115-rated Docklands in his first look at 2000 metres, with OTI’s Terry Henderson already stating his intentions for the 2024 Ladbrokes Cox Plate.
This year’s Juddmonte International looks a stellar edition and set to be the best race in Europe this year with two French stars from Royal Ascot, Calandangan and Zaraken due to take on the best in Britain and Ireland alongside Japanese Group 1 St Leger winner, Durezza.
In 2023 the Juddmonte International received an outstanding rating of 122.25, making it the 10th highest-rated Group 1 in the world as assessed by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA). In 2020 the Juddmonte International was the Longines World’s Best Race and in the last 15 years, the race has been won by some of Europe’s most celebrated champions, including Sea The Stars, Frankel, Australia, Roaring Lion, Ghaiyyath, Baaeed and Mostadaf.
“The Juddmonte International is well recognised as one of the great 2000-metre races in the world each year, a reputation we strive for with the Ladbrokes Cox Plate”, MVRC Head Of Racing Charlotte Mills said.
“It is fantastic to see two Ladbrokes Cox Plate nominated horses in the race this year, including two from 2014 Cox Plate winning trainer Aidan O’Brien and one for Harry Eustace, the brother of 2020 Cox Plate winning co-trainer David Eustace.”
William Derby, Chief Executive of York Racecourse, said: “We are hugely proud of our flagship race, the Group 1 Juddmonte International, both with its tremendous previous winners and the mouthwatering line up with have for the 2024 record renewal.
“We have a tremendous relationship with Moonee Valley Racing Club and are delighted that the Juddmonte International is a Ladbrokes Cox Plate International Invitational and very much look forward to seeing where the winner will be campaigned following their success at York.”