The Acomb Stakes (Group 3) at York has long been a proving ground for two-year-olds with Group 1 aspirations, and 2025’s renewal may have unearthed another serious prospect in the shape of Gewan. On only his second start, the Andrew Balding trained colt produced a decisive performance to land the seven-furlong contest, putting himself firmly in the picture for the autumn’s top juvenile races.

Positioned prominently from the break by P.J. McDonald, Gewan travelled with purpose but without waste. As the field began to stretch entering the straight Gewan edged closer on the bridle, moving with the kind of quiet authority that hinted he was in a different rhythm to his rivals.When asked to quicken the response was instant. He struck the front just inside the final furlong and turned away the challenge of the staying on Italy, putting the race to bed with professionalism beyond his experience. 

First run in 1960, the Acomb has an impressive history of unearthing talent. Previous winners have include future Group 1 winners Height of Fashion, Revoque, Bijou d'Inde, Rule of Law, Gear Up and Palace Episode. In the past seven years Phoenix Of Spain (2018) developed into an Irish 2,000 Guineas winner and more recently Chaldean (2022), also trained by Andrew Balding, used the race as a stepping stone to Classic success in the 2000 Guineas of the following year. Gewan now adds his name to the roll of Acomb winners, and he looks every inch the type to follow a similar upward curve.

The Dewhurst at Newmarket looms large, while the National Stakes at the Curragh and the Champane Stakes at Doncaster may also be potential targets. Gewan shapes as a colt with the temperament for top-level success. He travelled kindly, settled well and found plenty when asked. For the Knavesmire crowd, it was a performance to stir the imagination, the kind of display that makes the Acomb such a fascinating race to watch every year. Gewan left York as a Group 3 winner, but also as a colt who might yet become one of the defining juveniles of 2025.