Sky Bet York Stakes
Group 2, York 14:40
£150,000 guaranteed,
3yo plus,
1m 2f 56y, Class 1    
Saturday 26th July 2025

SureWIn

1 Royal Champion 8/1
2 Almaqam 6/4F
3 Ecureuil Secret 50/1
7 ran Distances: 2¾l, 2l, ½l
Time: 2m 5.64s (fast by 2.66s)

On a day when York’s summer sun threatened to steal the spotlight, it was Royal Champion who shone brightest—striding clear in the closing stages to claim the win with a performance full of authority and class.

The seven-year-old, trained in North Yorkshire by Karl Burke and owned by Sheikh Mohammed Obaid, was sent off a relatively unconsidered 8-1 shot, as punters latched onto Ed Walker’s short-priced 6-4 favourite, Almaqam. But once the gates opened, it was clear that Clifford Lee had a willing partner beneath him.

Ridden with patience and poise, Lee kept Royal Champion tucked in just behind the pace, travelling powerfully as the field began to come under pressure. In contrast to his rivals—who were all beginning to feel the pinch—Royal Champion was still on the bridle, full of running as they straightened up.

When Lee asked the question, the response was electric.

Two and three-quarter lengths was the winning margin, but the manner of victory suggested plenty more in the locker. It was a career-best display, and one that left connections beaming.

“He’s cantered round,” said a delighted Karl Burke. “They were all coming off the bridle and he was still tanking. Cliff said it’s the best he’s ever picked up and quickened. He always works well, but that was a serious step up.”

The win marked a return to the big stage not just for horse and trainer, but for Sheikh Obaid too.

“We’ve had winners, but things haven’t quite been dropping right,” Burke admitted. “So it’s lovely to win a Group Two for Sheikh Obaid—especially at York, our local track. We were hoping for slightly quicker ground, but he’s handled it well.”

As for what comes next, the options are suddenly far more exciting.

“We’ll need to have a conversation with the owner,” Burke said. “Maybe we’ll look at supplementing for the Juddmonte International—why not, after that? He was second in the Canadian International under Roger Varian, so Woodbine could be a target. Even the Irish Champion Stakes—we’ll see. He’s versatile, travels well, and handles the all-weather too.”

Wherever he goes next, Royal Champion has already lived up to his name on the Knavesmire.

Sky Bet York Stakes (Group 2)
£150,000 guaranteed, 3yo plus, 1m 2f 56y, Class 1
7 ran
Going: Good, Good to Soft in places

POS. (DRAW) DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 (3)    Royal Champion 7 9-8 K R Burke Clifford Lee 8/1
2 (6) 2¾ Almaqam 4 9-8 Ed Walker Kieran Shoemark 6/4F
3 (7) 2 Ecureuil Secret 4 9-8 Richard Fahey Oisin Orr 50/1
4 (1) ½ Green Impact 3 8-13 Mrs John Harrington Shane Foley 9/2
5 (4) 1¼ Stanhope Gardens 3 8-13 Ralph Beckett Rossa Ryan 9/4
6 (5) nk Bay City Roller 3 8-13 George Scott Callum Shepherd 12/1
7 (2) 1¼ Certain Lad 9 9-8 Jack Channon George Bass 50/1