The York racecourse will host one of its most valuable renewals this weekend as the Sky Bet York Stakes offers a prize fund of £165,000, and one of the entries to watch is Damysus, a four-year-old colt owned by Wathnan Racing.
Step up in trip and a change of grade
Trained by John and Thady Gosden, Damysus arrives at the Knavesmire eased in grade and with an increase in distance to a mile and a quarter. The colt – a son of Frankel – ran in top-level company earlier this season, finishing fifth of nine over a straight mile in the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot and previously contesting the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.
Connections believe the longer trip will suit. Richard Brown, racing adviser to Wathnan Racing, highlighted the colt’s characteristics and recent form:
"He hasn’t got the zip of those top milers, so we’re finally back to a mile and a quarter. I think that’s where his future lies. He’s still lightly raced and I think York will suit him."
York form and wider targets
Damysus has already shown he handles York, having been second over the same trip in the 2025 edition of the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes, when he finished behind Pride of Arras, who may again feature in the race. The colt also retains an entry for the £1.5 million Juddmonte International at York in August, though Brown accepted the colt is currently a level below the very top middle-distance performers.
- Horse: Damysus (Wathnan Racing)
- Trainers: John and Thady Gosden
- Distance: 1¼ miles (extended mile)
- Prize fund: £165,000 (Group 2)
The York weekend forms part of the Sky Bet Go Racing in Yorkshire Summer Festival. The meeting begins on Friday evening with the British EBF Lyric Fillies’ Stakes, while Saturday’s card – headlined by the York Stakes – starts at 1.30pm and includes seven races, the first of which is the Sky Bet ‘Jump Jockeys’ Nunthorpe’ Handicap.
| Event | Detail |
|---|---|
| Sky Bet York Stakes | Group 2 — £165,000 |
| Notable entry | Damysus (John & Thady Gosden) |
| Related fixture | Juddmonte International (York) — Damysus holds an entry |
With a return to a longer trip and the considerable purse on offer, Damysus represents an intriguing contest for those assessing York’s middle-distance ranks this summer. Trainers and owners will be watching closely to see whether the colt’s recent experience at the highest level translates into success back down the grade on the Knavesmire.
