Clive Cox’s Ghostwriter Eyeing Juddmonte International After Eclipse Heroics

In the thrilling Eclipse Stakes held at Sandown Park last weekend, Clive Cox’s promising colt Ghostwriter delivered a determined third-place finish, catching the attention of racing enthusiasts. The Invincible Spirit colt, who was unbeaten as a juvenile and secured Group Two success in the Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket, is now pencilled in for a tilt at the prestigious Juddmonte International at York.

Ghostwriter began his three-year-old campaign with a creditable fourth-place finish in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket before traveling to Chantilly for the Prix du Jockey Club, where he again placed fourth on the heavy ground. Undeterred, the colt lined up for the Eclipse, where he faced the Derby hero City Of Troy, the 1-4 favorite. Under the guidance of jockey Richard Kingscote, Ghostwriter battled gamely, ultimately finishing just two lengths behind the winner, with Joseph O’Brien’s Al Riffa in second.

“We were thrilled, for one moment at the furlong pole we thought he was going to go and get it. He ran a super race and it was very pleasing, bearing in mind that we all feel he’ll be better still on better ground.”

Clive Cox, the colt’s trainer, was understandably delighted with the performance. The trainer is now eagerly anticipating the Juddmonte International, where he hopes Ghostwriter will encounter quicker conditions that may suit the talented colt.

Elsewhere in the yard, another horse brought joy to the Cox stable, as James’s Delight landed the Listed Prix Kistena at Deauville on the same day. The three-year-old, owned by Paul and Clare Rooney, had previously won a valuable sprint handicap at York in June and backed up that success with another impressive victory, prevailing by a length and a half on the soft ground in France.

“It was a really pleasing performance, he won really nicely in France on Saturday. Similarly, he has come home really well, it was Clare Rooney’s birthday which made it all the more special on the day.”

Clive Cox was understandably pleased with the performance, and the trainer is now considering the next steps for James’s Delight, with plenty of options available following his Pattern-race triumph.

As the summer racing season continues to unfold, the Clive Cox stable remains a force to be reckoned with, showcasing the depth and talent within the yard. Ghostwriter’s promising run in the Eclipse and James’s Delight’s French success have only further solidified the stable’s reputation for producing top-class racehorses.

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