Kameko declared for Gr.1 International at York

Qatar Racing's QIPCO 2,000 Guineas hero Kameko will face five rivals in the Gr.1 Juddmonte International Stakes at York on Wednesday.

Kameko will try a mile and a quarter for the first time in the Juddmonte International when he'll face the leading ten-furlong horse in Europe in Ghaiyyath, as well as six-time Gr.1 winner Magical and this year's Prince of Wales's Stakes winner Lord North. Completing the field are Aspetar and filly Rose of Kildare, recently bought privately as a broodmare prospect by Qatar Racing.

Kameko will bid to emulate his paternal half-brother Roaring Lion, who won the race as a 3-year-old in 2018, also ridden by Oisin Murphy for Qatar Racing. Kameko will bid to give trainer Andrew Balding his first win in the race. Kameko is currently a 4/1 chance behind Ghaiyyath and Magical.

Thirty minutes before Kameko runs, Qatar Racing's Darain will put his unbeaten record on the line in the Gr.2 Great Voltigeur Stakes. Darain takes on the likes of dual Group winner Mogul and Royal Ascot winners Pyledriver and Highland Chief as he step up in grade. The John Gosden-trained Darain also steps up to a mile and a half, though clearly his pedigree gives him sound claims as his dam was a dual Gr.1 winner over the trip and sister Lah Ti Dar was runner-up in the St Leger.