Wesley Ward's Bacio Wins Nunthorpe as Arapaho Gold Secures Gimcrack at York

At York’s Ebor Festival, Wesley Ward finally broke his Nunthorpe duck, guiding Bacio to a dominant front-running victory, finishing a length and a quarter clear of Starlust. Jockey Juan Hernandez, after the race, hurried to the weighing room and then took a helicopter to Heathrow to catch a 6:30 pm flight back to the United States for the Pacific Classic at Del Mar. Ward highlighted the horse’s readiness and praised the team’s preparation on the softened turf.

In the Gimcrack Stakes, Michael Dods’ unbeaten gelding Arapaho Gold, ridden by Connor Beasley, repelled a late challenge from Final Objective, securing a three-quarter-length win and extending his record to four. Dods noted the horse’s ease with the step up in class and hinted at a possible Mill Reef Stakes appearance before ending the season. Richard Brown, adviser to Wathnan Racing, spoke of Final Objective’s strong run and potential future targets in France. Adrian Keatley commented on the consistency of third-placed Hell Of A Spin and possible overseas plans.