Two of the best racehorses in the world, ridden by two of the best jockeys, take each other on in the G1 International Stakes (2080m) at York on Wednesday (23 August).

Paddington’s star performances have attracted a growing following, including young racefans who associate the three-year-old’s name, not with the London railway station but with the popular book and film character, Paddington Bear.

While Paddington will be partnered by Ryan Moore, Mostahdaf, currently rated the joint second best racehorse in the world, will be ridden by the legendary 52 year old Frankie Dettori, in his final season before retiring.

Unbeaten in seven races since his debut and winner of four successive Group 1 events at from 1600m to 2000m, Paddington has shown himself to be tough, versatile and talented.

After his latest victory in the G1 Sussex Stakes at Goodwood over 1600m, when he led all the way, Moore said, “Paddington gives you the feel that he might be as good a horse as I’ve ridden. He’s exceptional and has handled everything that we’ve put in front of him, whether it’s 1600 metres, 2000 metres, good ground or soft ground. He’s a straightforward horse who thrives on his racing.”

Trainer Aidan O’Brien, who has won the race six times, is equally impressed. He said, “Paddington’s very professional, a quick starter, travels well and has a lot of tactical speed. He has a lot of class.”

O’Brien added, “It’s incredible when you see little children with their parents all pointing out Paddington and talking about him, it’s very unusual.”

Mostahdaf’s fans will be hoping that it is they who are celebrating after what, with only four runners, will be a tactical battle.

Although the five-year-old’s impressive success in the G1 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes (1993m) at Royal Ascot in June was his first Group 1 victory, it earned him a rating higher than Paddington’s.

The father and son training team of John and Thady Gosden have deliberately given Mostahdaf a break since Ascot. John explained, “He likes to run when fresh so the plan has always been to come to York after Royal Ascot, to give him time.”

Connections are hoping for ground on the faster side. Thady said, “He has a low, good action, so he enjoys a faster racing surface,” with John adding, “He likes to bounce off good ground. When he’s run on softer, he’s laboured on it.”

The race is expected to be dominated by Paddington and Mostahdaf but their two rivals will be seeking an upset.

The admirable Nashwa, stablemate of Mostahdaf, boasts three Group 1 successes herself, including the Falmouth Stakes (1600m) at Newmarket last month before a close third in the G1 Nassau Stakes (1979m) at Goodwood.

John Gosden remarked, “The slow pace and soft ground there didn’t really suit her there but she’s a nice filly and it’s important to run her in races of this nature.”

The Foxes also favours fast ground and is a useful performer. He won a Group 2 event over this course and distance in May and, on his latest outing, finished second in a Grade 1 race in the USA.

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