The St. James's Palace Stakes (G1) was first run in 1834, named after the Tudor royal residence. Eight 3-year-old colts raced over the "old mile" (around the turn) for a purse of £250,000 (about $489,200 US). As expected, Henrythenavigator, winner of the 2000 Guineas in both England and Ireland, was the heavy 4-7 choice on the board. 66-1 longshot Cat Junior and 13-2 second choice Falco battled on the front end for the first half mile. 8-1 Twice Over, who sat in sixth early, moved up to challenge in mid-stretch and took over the lead at the 3/16 pole. However, Henrythenavigator and 7-1 Raven's Pass, who were at the back of the pack in the early stages, took advantage as the pacesetters tired, swinging out wide into the stretch for the drive. Henrythenavigator took over the lead and the 1/8 pole and held off Raven's Pass by 3/4 length at the line, completing the trip in a new course record time of 1:38.70. It was another 2 1/2 lengths back to Twice Over third.
Winning trainer Aidan O'Brien said, "We are delighted. He's a really special horse. He has speed, stamina, class and he picks up. He has a great attitude and Johnny rode him with so much confidence. He's a great horse and I think it's very hard to say that we'll get a better miler than this lad."
Jockey John Murtagh added, "He's a great horse and he's improving all the time. He settles down well, he loves fast ground, he travels and he has a super turn of foot. I went to change my hands and got them tangled up in his mane a bit but he's such a professional horse, he was gone."
