Gewan produced a remarkable performance to win the 2025 Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket, denying Aidan O’Brien a record ninth victory in the prestigious Group One race. The 25-1 outsider bounced back in style after a disappointing run at Doncaster last month, delivering a powerful performance under jockey James Doyle to capture the season’s most prestigious two-year-old contest.
Having looked a top prospect earlier in the year, Gewan had lost some shine when finishing a lacklustre fourth in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster. However, connections kept faith in the colt, who returned to form with a display full of determination and class. Settled close to the leaders early on, Doyle made a decisive move a furlong and a half from home, pushing Gewan ahead to win by three-quarters of a length from 7-4 favourite Gstaad. Distant Storm finished a further length and a half back in third, with Zavateri taking fourth in what appeared a strong field.
Trainer Andrew Balding expressed satisfaction with the colt’s resurgence, noting that confidence in Gewan never wavered. He highlighted the horse’s earlier success in the Acomb Stakes at York as evidence of genuine quality, suggesting that his Doncaster setback was simply an off day. The victory reaffirmed the stable’s growing reputation for producing top-class juveniles, with Gewan now priced at 12-1 for next year’s 2,000 Guineas.
Balding praised both Doyle’s ride and the composure of owner Zhang Yuesheng, who recently purchased a share in the horse. The owner’s calm reaction to the Doncaster disappointment allowed the team to stick to their original plan and target the Dewhurst. Balding added that Gewan’s recent work at home had hinted at a major performance, and the colt duly delivered when it mattered most.
Bred from Night Of Thunder, the 2014 2,000 Guineas winner, Gewan’s stamina limits remain to be tested. While the Derby distance may not be his optimum trip, his blend of speed and resilience suggests a bright Classic campaign ahead. The victory also capped a memorable day of racing at Newmarket, where Pierre Bonnard announced himself as a Derby contender with success in the Zetland Stakes.
Gewan’s Dewhurst triumph not only revives his Classic credentials but also signals the emergence of another star from Balding’s powerful stable—one that could shape the landscape of the 2026 flat racing season.
