Sir Michael Stoute's Crystal Ocean has been confirmed that his next test of the season will be at the Ebor meeting in the Group One Juddmonte International where he is set to meet some familiar faces.
The five year old has been a superstar this season which now sees him hold the highest rating in Britain for a flat horse at the moment having a mark of 127 and even though just being beat by Enable last time out in the King George at Ascot he is still 1lb higher than her.
The wonder mare for John Gosden will not be having a rematch just yet with Crystal Ocean as she heads to the Yorkshire Oaks just a day later which means that the York Ebor festival is set to be a cracker with plenty of star talent on show.
Ocean is the current 6/4 favourite to take the 1 mile 2 furlong Group One next week with the prize money of £1 million up for grabs in the race, Stoute will be hoping his five year old can replicate that of Ulysses, who landed the contest back in 2017 for the trainer.
(Credit Racing Post) Sir Michael Stoute said: "The plan is to take Crystal Ocean to the Juddmonte International at York. He seems to have come out of the King George in good shape and worked nicely this morning. There will be no decision over who will ride him until nearer the time."
Stoute has not said who will be riding his horse in this contest with the Group One winner being passed around to numerous jockeys in his last few rides with the likes of Ryan Moore, William Buick, James Doyle and Frankie Dettori all having a go on him.
As it looks for the moment it seems that Moore will be riding one of Aidan O'Brien runners which could be Japan, Circus Maximus or the most likely being Magical.
Frankie Dettori has no Enable in the race but his retained trainer John Gosden does have King Of Comedy which more than likely will see him be aboard the three year old.
This leaves James Doyle and William Buick, with no Godolphin runners set to go to post both of them should be available for the ride and Stoute could be left with a tricky decision of which jockey he prefers to ride his horse.