Ombudsman remains unbeaten with G3 Prix du Prince d’Orange win

Progressive three-year-old Ombudsman maintained his perfect record as he overcame signs of inexperience to take the G3 Prix du Prince d’Orange at Longchamp, France, on Sunday, 8 September. 

The Night Of Thunder colt was making his first Group-race appearance on the back of three impressive wins for John & Thady Gosden over the summer, most recently scoring by three and a half lengths in the Listed Prix Nureyev at Deauville in August. 

After breaking smartly, Ombudsman soon settled in third on the inner rail behind First Look and Meydaan. William Buick had to briefly wait to deliver his challenge in the straight before First Look drifted out with two furlongs left, allowing Ombudsman to quicken up his inside and hit the front soon after. 

Ombudsman wandered around in front, shifting out entering the final furlong and again in the closing strides, but had enough in reserve to see off Start Of Day, Supercooled and Map Of Stars for a half-length verdict. 

Hugh Anderson, Godolphin Managing Director (UK and Dubai) said: “William said that Ombudsman is a very good horse who is a little bit green, and perhaps that is what we saw in the final stages. 

“I am really delighted and John and Thady have campaigned him superbly, with the win at Deauville and now here. The expectation is that he is going to be a very good four-year-old and he’s definitely coming back next year.”

 William Buick said: “I don’t think anything suited Ombudsman today. I think he’s a horse who can quicken off a high tempo and he never really got the chance to show his best qualities, while the ground is very tacky. He was very green and caught me by surprise a couple of times, but I think everyone is satisfied that he was the best horse in the race. He has still got a lot to learn. 

“He has stepped up on what he has achieved previously and taken on some solid, seasoned horses with form from the Prix du Jockey Club. I was very pleased with him and he’s hopefully going to be around next year.”