Connections delighted with gallant effort in defeat at York.
Ghostwriter, Clive Cox’s talented son of Invincible Spirit, has the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes under consideration following an impressive performance in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York. Despite finishing behind the exceptional City Of Troy, Ghostwriter’s run has left his connections weighing their next move carefully.
Although Ghostwriter has yet to claim a victory this season, he has consistently delivered strong performances against elite competition. After showing courage on softer-than-ideal ground in the French Derby and finishing third behind City Of Troy in the Coral Eclipse, the colt finally had the chance to perform on a quicker surface at York's Knavesmire. Despite the favourable conditions, Ghostwriter couldn’t quite overtake his rival but earned respect with a podium finish in a race that saw the course’s 10-furlong record—set by the legendary Sea The Stars—shattered.
Jeff Smith, the Ghostwriter's owner, and the rest of his team are taking their time before committing to a definite plan. While there is no rush to make a decision, all signs suggest that Ghostwriter will remain focused on 10-furlong contests for the near future. This places the prestigious Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown firmly on the radar as a potential next destination. Though the race is expected to feature a star-studded lineup during the Irish Champions Festival, City Of Troy, with his sights set on the Breeders' Cup, is unlikely to participate.
Reflecting on the recent Juddmonte International, trainer Clive Cox expressed his satisfaction with Ghostwriter’s performance. "We were very pleased with the run, especially on his preferred ground," Cox shared. "It was an incredible race, and I think he proved that 10 furlongs is the right trip for him. He’s come out of the race in great shape, and we’ll take another week to assess things before making any firm plans.”
Cox also hinted that Ghostwriter’s participation in the Irish Champion Stakes will be influenced by the horse’s recovery and the weather conditions leading up to the event. “We’ll speak with Jeff and make our decision based on how he’s feeling and the ground conditions. The Irish Champion Stakes is under consideration, but we’ll take things step by step.”
As Ghostwriter continues to develop, his team remains optimistic that he will soon have another opportunity to shine on the big stage, with Leopardstown looking like the most likely venue for his next test.
