Gewan lands a dramatic upset in the Dewhurst Stakes
The Rowley Mile at Newmarket produced one of the most talked-about upsets of the season as Gewan, trained by Andrew Balding and ridden by James Doyle, defied long odds to win the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes. At 25-1, the Night Of Thunder colt surged through the field to topple market leaders Gstaad and Distant Storm, delivering Balding a timely reminder of his ability to spark a major-stakes performance when it matters most.
From Acomb to Dewhurst: Gewan’s journey back to form
Gewan had shown potential earlier in the campaign, winning the Acomb Stakes at York, but the Champagne Stakes on softer ground had raised questions about his suitability for different surfaces. Returning to faster ground on the Rowley Mile, he looked the part from the stalls and travelled close to the pace, a sign that he was in the right mood for a stubborn test of speed and stamina.
Rider and trainer: a well-executed plan comes to fruition
James Doyle pointed to the decisive move between the three and two furlongs as the moment Gewan’s effort turned the race. “I’m very lucky to get the ride on him; he did an impeccable job. He killed them off between the three and the two furlong marker and handled the track well,” Doyle said. “Once I got the rail he stuck there really tough. He felt really good – that was no fluke whatsoever. I know he went off a silly price, but when I let him go he quickened up very smartly and I knew he wouldn’t get caught.”
For Balding, the victory was a vindication of his ability to strike in top-level juvenile events. It marked a second Dewhurst triumph following Chaldean’s 2022 win, and adds a fresh layer of intrigue as the sport eyes the classic season ahead. Balding expressed satisfaction with Gewan’s trajectory and noted the horse’s potential to improve with time and maturity.
Gstaad and Distant Storm: a strong field tested
Gstaad, trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Christophe Soumillon, produced a credible effort to finish runner-up after showing early pace. Distant Storm, another strong contender, looked to have more to give but could not reel in the winner as the finish line approached. The result underscored the depth of the Dewhurst field and the delicate balance between speed and refinement required at this level.
What this means for the future
The Dewhurst is often cited as a key guide to future Classic potential, and Gewan’s performance has momentum-building implications. Bookmakers responded by trimming odds for the 2,000 Guineas; the horse has been cut from 50-1 to 14 for the Classic by Paddy Power, reflecting the market’s belief in his capability to upgrade again at Newmarket. Balding and Doyle will be keen to preserve the spring-summer progression as Gewan steps up in grade.
Quotes and aftershocks
Speaking after the race, the winning trainer sounded measured but optimistic about Gewan’s capacity to learn and improve. “He’s a decent horse and it’s no great surprise to anyone who’s ridden him at home or watched him work,” he said. “We had three seconds in Group 1s last weekend, so you think the luck’s gone, but this was special.”
Race recap
Gewan’s decisive run left rivals with work to do and provided an emphatic reminder of Balding’s knack for developing young talent into genuine Group 1 contenders. The win cements his reputation as a trainer who can navigate a talented crop of juveniles through a challenging autumn and spring, with potential to threaten the classic targets in 2025.
This race report is being updated and more news will follow shortly.
