Gewan, a 25-1 outsider trained by Andrew Balding, stunned the racing world by winning the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket, denying renowned trainer Aidan O’Brien a record-breaking ninth victory in this prestigious race. Gewan triumphed with a margin of three-quarters of a length over O’Brien’s Gstaad, the 7-4 favourite, while Distant Storm, the second favourite, finished a further length-and-a-half behind in third place.
This remarkable win did not seem like a fluke. Gewan was returning to form after an impressive success in the Acomb Stakes at York in August. Although he lost his unbeaten record as the favourite in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster, his prior performance suggested he had the potential to excel.
James Doyle, riding Gewan, positioned the grey horse near the front of the pack early in the race. With a push from Doyle, Gewan surged ahead a furlong-and-a-half from the finish line, establishing a decisive lead that secured his victory. The win marks Gewan’s third success in four races, aligning him with Balding’s other star, Chaldean, the 2,000 Guineas winner of 2023. Following this latest performance, Gewan has been cut to around 10-1 odds to achieve further Classic success in the spring.
Balding reflected on Gewan’s performance, stating, “We were saying coming into the race that he was overpriced. His York performance was really good and you’ve got to forgive him Doncaster. So we weren’t without hope, but he’s still got to come and do it. He was given a brilliant ride and he’s a very good horse.”
The Dewhurst Stakes is a key event in the British racing calendar, often seen as a strong indicator of potential success in future Classic races. Gewan’s victory not only disrupts O’Brien’s aspirations for another record but also highlights the competitive nature of this year’s juvenile racing scene.
As the racing season continues, attention will turn to upcoming events at Chepstow and Goodwood. Notable races scheduled include:
– **Chepstow**:
– 1.32 – Deep Purple
– 2.07 – Settle Down Jill
– 2.42 – Blueking D’Oroux
– 3.17 – Celtic Dino
– 3.52 – Saint Segal
– 4.27 – Bubble Dubi
– 5.02 – Cooltobecareless
– **Goodwood**:
– 1.52 – Spiced Rum
– 2.27 – Funlover
– 3.02 – Crazee Icon
– 3.37 – Righthere Rightnow (nb)
– 4.12 – Poseidon’s Warrior
– 4.47 – Knights Gold
– 5.22 – Day Of Grace (nap)
As the racing community processes this unexpected outcome, Gewan’s future in the sport appears promising, with fans eagerly awaiting his next appearance on the track.
