John Gosden is determined to set Godolphin star Ombudsman for both the Breeders’ Cup and the Japan Cup, avoiding the Irish Champion Stakes in the process.
The last start Juddmonte International winner will head to the Champion Stakes at Ascot on October 18 and then take in the Breeders' Cup and Japan Cup.
“He will now be freshened up for an autumn campaign targeting the Champion Stakes at Ascot, the Breeders’ Cup and the Japan Cup,” Gosden said.
“The Irish Champion Stakes is a race that our stable has won four times. Obviously, it would not be in the best interests of Ombudsman to race in September, nor would the horse appreciate running against multiple entries from one stable on a track with a short straight.”
Ombudsman is likely to be at the top of the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings when they are next released thanks to his Juddmonte performance.
Godolphin has not had a Japan Cup runner since Trading Leather in 2014, while Fantastic Light ran fourth in the race in 2000.