Kameko heading to Gr.1 International at York

Qatar Racing's record-breaking QIPCO 2,000 Guineas winner Kameko is heading for the Gr.1 Juddmonte International Stakes at York on Wednesday 19 August.

After careful consideration Kameko will go for the International on the Knavesmire where he's in line to take on Ghaiyyath, Magical and Lord North, who have won 10 Gr.1 races between them. The Andrew Balding-trained Kameko is currently a 5/1 shot in a race won impressive by our Roaring Lion in 2018 - of course they are both sons of Kitten's Joy.

Kameko endured a luckless passage in the Gr.1 Sussex Stakes at Goodwood last time and will race over a mile and a quarter for the first time at York. He appeared not to quite stay a mile and a half when fourth in the Gr.1 Derby at Epsom. We are very hopeful that he can translate his top-class mile form to the new distance.

At Newmarket, Kameko beat Wichita and Pinatubo, who again finished placed in the Gr.1 St James's Palace Stakes at Ascot next time. Pinatubo then went on to win the Gr.1 Prix Jean Prat at Deauville. Kameko won the Gr.1 Vertem Futurity Stakes at Newcastle last year.

Kameko won't be the only very exciting 3-year-old colt carrying the Qatar Racing colours at York on Wednesday as Darain puts his unbeaten record on the line against the likes of Mogul and Juan Elcano in the Gr.2 Great Voltigeur Stakes.

The John Gosden-trained Darain - part owned by his breeder Watership Down Stud - has easily won races at Newbury and Newmarket this year and will step up to a mile and a half next week. His dam Dar Re Mi won the Gr.1 Yorkshire Oaks over the same course and distance in 2009.