The aim of the partnership is to create links between historic races in the UK and high-profile U.S. turf races over two different distances. The winner of the May 4 $200,000 GII Charles Whittingham S. at Santa Anita will gain an automatic berth and travel incentive to run in the £750,000 G1 Coral-Eclipse over the same 10-furlong distance at Sandown Park on July 6. Whichever horse wins the Eclipse, will receive an automatic entry and a travel incentive to run in the $750,000 GII California Crown John Henry Turf at Santa Anita on Sept. 28.

Turf Sprinters are also catered to in the new partnership, with the May 18 $100,000 Listed Jim McKay S. at Pimlico over five furlongs receiving a berth and travel money in the £600,000 G1 My Pension Expert July Cup over six furlongs at Newmarket on July 6. The July Cup winner will receive an automatic entry in the $750,000 GII California Crown Eddie D Turf Sprint over 6 1/2 furlongs at Santa Anita, the same day as the John Henry Turf.

Aidan Butler, President of 1/ST, said, “A special thank you to our friends at The Jockey Club on launching this innovative partnership. We look forward to welcoming in competitors to the inaugural California Crown at Santa Anita Park this autumn.

“This partnership with The Jockey Club is part of our wider global strategy for improving international interest and top-class participation in the world's biggest races–as evidenced by a similar alliance we have with Royal Ascot, via our Royal Palm juvenile series at Gulfstream Park, which delivered Crimson Advocate (Nyquist), the winner of the prestigious [G2] Queen Mary S., in its inaugural year.”

Matt Woolston, The Jockey Club's assistant racing and international director, added, “We are delighted to announce this great new initiative today and I would like to thank everyone at 1/ST for helping to make it happen.

“By pairing two of the UK's most famous and prestigious Group 1 contests in the summer with a quartet of valuable North American turf contests in the spring and autumn, we feel we have the perfect race schedule for transatlantic runners.

“In addition, British and other European trainers now have the chance of an incentivised trip to North America in the autumn for races at Santa Anita's exciting new California Crown meeting.

“We feel we have highlighted a race schedule that incentivises runners to travel across the Atlantic.”

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Moving to the front passing two out, the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas and G1 St James's Palace S. hero with his weight-for-age boon had first run on the G1 Coronation Cup winner who consented to put it up to her year-younger rival on the rise to the line. Ultimately, it was Ryan Moore in charge there with a half-length winning margin and another six back to West Wind Blows who completed a TDN Rising Star one-two-three.

Fears that this four-runner edition could result in a trappy, unsatisfactory pace scenario failed to be born out and this looked straightforward stuff. Surprisingly given that outcome, the jockey's post-race conclusion will only serve to dampen the spirits of the connections of the rest of Europe's elite. “It did go to plan, but at the same time I don't think we saw the best of my horse,” he warned.

“Tactics didn't play any part at all–he was just the best horse on the day,” Moore added. “He was in a good rhythm, travelled down to the two very easy and found plenty. I was vulnerable there in the middle of the track, but he was always doing enough and he's a legitimate high-class colt.”

“She is very tough and game – but so is the winner.”@cdixon82 and @LydiaHislop dissect the @Coral-Eclipse in which Paddington denies Emily Upjohn in a truly epic duel pic.twitter.com/TpEDvGGpV1

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 8, 2023

Ensuring that the once-important Madrid H. is brought further back to its early prominence as a Classic pointer, Paddington is now only 15 weeks on from that key part of Naas's season curtain-raiser and he has already muscled his way into elevated territory. Insatiable in his progress, his equine ambition has continued to peak beyond whatever tests the Tetrarch, the Irish Guineas and Royal Ascot could offer but this represented an altogether different level.

West Wind Blows has proven on more than one occasion how dangerous he can be on the front end and was coming off a gallant second in the G2 Hardwicke S., while Emily Upjohn had been sensational in the G1 Coronation Cup and arrived a fresh filly at a track certain to suit. Tellingly, Paddington was instantly able to take more than two lengths out of his chief rival exiting the stalls as she proved tardy and the die was cast there and then. Heading up the centre of the track to the two pole, Paddington had total control with Ryan Moore notably quiet and his three colleagues all already animated in the saddle.

From there it was a case of deja vu as the second son of Siyouni to take this prize for Ballydoyle gave a more than passable impression of the 2021 hero St Mark's Basilica (Fr). Moore barely moved his whip hand and while the filly once again flashed her talent in pursuit and got to his girth, she never looked like getting any further along. “She was there from one and a half out and she didn't quit, but he's proved he's a very tough and durable horse,” a clearly energised Moore added of his third winner of the race that in 2007 acted as an accelerator of the appreciation of his talents as he steered his own course on Notnowcato (GB) (Inchinor {GB}). “He's turned up and given his best every time and come forward all year. I just think he's a real high-quality colt with lots of pace and gears and class and Aidan can keep backing him up. He could get further. We'll enjoy him.”

This made it a dozen Eclipses for Ballydoyle, with it all beginning in 1958 courtesy of Ballymoss (GB) for Dr Vincent O'Brien. The rest of the original master of Rosegreen's haul was made up of 3-year-old colts and Aidan has followed on that trend with some of the stable's finest in Giant's Causeway, Hawk Wing and the aforementioned St Mark's Basilica. While the sizeable weight-for-age concession this early in the year lends an indisputable edge to the Classic generation, they still have to possess the right material to deal with toughened and seasoned opponents.

Aidan O'Brien, who has now usurped the legendary figures of epochs past and present in Alec Taylor Jr and Sir Michael Stoute, has known for some time that Paddington was made of the right stuff but nonetheless admitted to a degree of wonder in the winner's rate of progress throughout the past fortnight. His ticket to Esher was apparently punched with a stunning final workout on the Ballydoyle gallops. “Seamus [Heffernan] rode him the other morning and he couldn't talk when he got off him–that's how aggressive and quick he has become ,” he explained. “When that happens to fellows that have ridden that many good horses, it takes you aback a little bit.”

“He is a serious horse and Ryan was very confident going out, but when you have an older filly like that they don't lie down,” O'Brien added. “We knew how good she was and didn't underestimate her in any way. Ryan said he got there a bit early, but he didn't want to break his rhythm and disappoint him and that was 100% the right thing to do. It would have been perfect for her, because she had a target to take her there but Ryan said he was surprised how easily he went through the race. I don't think he hit him at all.”

It is now a question of satiating the winner's appetite for competition and so inevitably Goodwood at the end of the month is on Paddington's agenda as he looks to follow the lead of the revered 'Iron Horse'. “There's a good chance he'll be back for the Sussex–that was the plan, but because he had thrived so much and John [Magnier] was so confident he'd get the trip he was here beforehand,” O'Brien said. “He is quicker than Giant's Causeway and his constitution is amazing–Giant always ran at the same weight, but this horse is getting heavier which is strange and unusual, but he is obviously turning into a very quick horse. He's a dream. Ryan's very excited about him.”

As Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) is poised on the verge of a possibly groundbreaking campaign, with Michael Tabor this week floating the idea of backing up the Derby winner from the King George in the Juddmonte International, the “lads” now have two colts with the potential to dominate the major summer prizes. O'Brien gave a heavy hint that the Rodin-Paddington bonanza has only just begun. “The big thing is the lads love their racing and that is rising above everything else now,” he stated. “They love going racing and thinking about those horses. It is becoming more of a love and a passion than it has ever been before. I can't tell you how passionate they are about the racing.”

John Gosden said of Emily Upjohn, “It was a proper match race and she's run a blinder giving him seven pounds, but this is obviously below her best trip. She's a big unit and stands 17′ 2 and was awkward out of the stalls, so you've got to remember she had to go nearly a length and a half to get level but she battled all the way. Lester Piggott always told me that the three-year-olds have the advantage in the Eclipse and the winner's a lovely horse and a real stallion prospect. If she's in good form, we'll look at the King George and her year-end target is the Arc.”

Ed Crisford said of West Wind Blows, “Jamie set nice, honest fractions and he ran his heart out. I think we will definitely be looking at international races with him. I think he could be very competitive in Canada, Australia, and Hong Kong.”

Pedigree Notes

Like stablemate and fellow luminary Little Big Bear, Paddington emerged from blue Wildenstein blood being a son of the strong-staying Listed Prix Belle de Nuit winner Modern Eagle (Ger) (Montjeu {Ire}). Her last known foal, he was bred and raised at Monceaux for the Wildensteins before achieving the joint-second-highest price of €420,000 at the 2021 Arqana October Sale. Modern Eagle, who also produced dual listed-placed Masterpiece (Fr) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), is a daughter of the G1 Prix de Diane runner-up Millionaia (Ire) (Peintre Celebre) and a half to the Listed Vintage Tipple S. winner and G3 Loughbrown S.-placed Mighty Blue (Fr) by Montjeu's son Authorized (Ire).

Millionaia is a half to Ballydoyle's former G1 Dewhurst S. runner-up Fencing Master (GB) (Oratorio {Ire}) and is a daughter of the G1 Prix Saint-Alary heroine Moonlight Dance (Alysheba), who is also the second dam of the G2 Prix du Conseil de Paris scorer Ming Dynasty (Fr) (King's Best). The fourth dam Madelia (Fr) (Caro) captured the Diane as well as the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and Prix Saint-Alary, while those looking for stamina clues with a possible Arc bid in mind have plenty of positive pointers including the family's G1 Melbourne Cup runner-up Heartbreak City (Fr) (Lando {Ger}).

Saturday, Sandown, Britain
CORAL-ECLIPSE-G1, £750,000, Sandown, 7-8, 3yo/up, 9f 209yT, 2:05.16, gd.
1–PADDINGTON (GB), 125, c, 3, by Siyouni (Fr)
     1st Dam: Modern Eagle (Ger) (SW-Fr), by Montjeu (Ire)
     2nd Dam: Millionaia (Ire), by Peintre Celebre
     3rd Dam: Moonlight Dance, by Alysheba
TDN Rising Star. (€420,000 Ylg '21 ARQDOY). O-Tabor/Smith/Magnier/Westerberg/Brant; B-Dayton Investments Ltd (GB); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. £425,325. Lifetime Record: G1SW-Ire, 7-6-0-0, $1,357,748. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Emily Upjohn (GB), 132, f, 4, Sea The Stars (Ire)–Hidden Brief (GB), by Barathea (Ire). TDN Rising Star. (60,000gns Ylg '20 TATOCT). O-Lloyd Webber, Tactful Finance, S Roden; B-Lordship Stud & Sunderland Holding Inc (GB); T-John & Thady Gosden. £161,250.
3–West Wind Blows (Ire), 135, g, 4, Teofilo (Ire)–West Wind (GB), by Machiavellian.
1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. TDN Rising Star. O-Mr Abdulla Al Mansoori; B-Godolphin (IRE); T-Simon & Ed Crisford. £80,700.
Margins: HF, 6, 2. Odds: 0.73, 2.13, 12.00.
Also Ran: Dubai Honour (Ire).

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“It's just a matter of timing, he'll be fine next week hopefully,” Angus Gold said. “It's a big blow to Owen [Burrows] and the team there and obviously Sheikha Hissa and all at Shadwell. Off the top of my head we could look at something like the Irish Champion S., but that is obviously a while away yet. The Eclipse was his prime summer target, but there we go.”

Emily Upjohn, so impressive in the G1 Coronation Cup last time, was declared without the hood she sported in the G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares S. and at Epsom last time. As announced earlier in the week, William Buick will partner the Gosdens' 4-year-old, who will look to provide the Lloyd Webbers and Buick with more joy than The Fugue (GB) (Dansili {GB}) who was last of seven in the 2013 edition and Dar Re Mi (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}) who had beaten only one of the five runners three years earlier. In France, five have been declared for Saturday's €400,000 G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, with the Coronation Cup runner-up and last year's G1 Irish Derby hero Westover (GB) (Frankel {GB}) the standout.

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The Italian, whose ban runs from July 4-12, picked up the suspension after causing interference to multiple horses aboard King Charles and Queen Camilla's runner Saga (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) in the Listed Wolferton S. The John and Thady Gosden-trained Emily Upjohn takes her chance at Sandown on July 8.

During the first day of Royal Ascot, Dettori was second three times–with Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in the G1 Queen Anne S., with Chaldean (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in the G1 St James's Palace S. and with Absurde (Fr) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) in the Copper Horse H.

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Marking The Occasion

If Vadeni is to reward his supplementary entry with victory, he will also be bridging a 70-year gap since The Aga Khan III registered the third of his three successes with the brilliant Tulyar. There is a sense that the unorthodox move from connections has been orchestrated due partly to this landmark year but mostly as a result of the colt's raw material. Still a work in progress, we might not have seen the best of the homebred whose relatives include the English Group 1 winner Valixir (Ire) (Trempolino) and the GI Breeders' Cup Mile hero Val Royal (Fr) (Royal Academy).

Georges Rimaud, Racing Manager to The Aga Khan, said, “We are celebrating 100 years of the Aga Khan Studs and have a few things planned later in the year. It is an honour to be able to celebrate this and if we have some good winners this year it would be great. It takes a lot of commitment from the owner and I know that His Highness is obviously very pleased with how things are going.”

The Haggas Factor

William Haggas's stable is bursting with good health and has continued to thrive this week and defy the logic that their early-summer purple patch must come to an end. In M M Stables' 4-year-old Alenquer (Fr) (Adlerflug {Ger}), the yard have a strong contender in this renewal with his recent record boasting a defeat of the Prince of Wales's hero State Of Rest (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and the Hardwicke hero Broome (Ire) (Australia {GB}) in The Curragh's G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup May 22. Add to that the fact that he was the winner of a vintage renewal of the course-and-distance G3 Sandown Classic Trial last April and showed impressive pace when putting Lord North to the sword in the Feb. 22 G3 Winter Derby and it is clear he is a genuine player here.

Speaking at Sandown on Friday, Maureen Haggas was playing down his chance. “He ran a brilliant race in Ireland, but he likes dig in the ground and a mile and a quarter on soft is the ideal,” she said. “He is an absolute star and is as tough as old boots–he'll give his all, as he always does, but on this ground it is a big ask.” William seemed to be more confident as he said, “He beat a [G1] Derby winner and a Breeders' Cup winner the last time he went to Sandown and he won the Tattersalls Gold Cup, beating a [G1] Cox Plate and [G1] Prince of Wales's winner. Some may think he's an outsider, but I don't–he's a good horse.”

A Proven Trail

Even before Charlie Appleby took off, he was saddling the 3-year-old Hawkbill (Kitten's Joy) to cause a minor upset as his first runner in the Eclipse in 2016. Hawkbill was fourth two years later as his second representative, while his third was the 2020 winner Ghaiyyath (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). That is some tally, so the pressure is on last year's champion juvenile and G1 Irish 2000 Guineas hero Native Trail (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) to uphold the stable's enviable record. Impressive on his sole visit here when handing a four-length beating to Royal Patronage (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) on his debut last June, his subsequent tally of three Group 1 wins means that he enters his first battle with the older horses as one the race's most accomplished in that sphere. His stamina has to be taken on trust, however, with Distant Music (Distant View) being the only true middle-distance performer relatively close-up on the dam's side.

Appleby is not entirely convinced he will see out this tough mile and a quarter. “The question mark is the mile and a quarter trip, but you can take a few pieces out of his pedigree which suggest he has a chance of staying,” he said. “At the end of the day, in the Irish Guineas he was doing his best work in the last 200 yards, so we are confident within ourselves he can go the mile and a quarter. More importantly, he is a strong 3-year-old who won't look out of place against his elders.”

Free Pass

At Haydock on Saturday, the G2 bet365 Lancashire Oaks looks a strong contest with George Strawbridge's impressive G2 Park Hill S. winner Free Wind (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) making her seasonal bow on her first start since that seven-length success at Doncaster's St Leger meeting. John Gosden has won this five times since 2011 and holds the record of eight wins, so it is fair to say he knows what it takes and the exciting homebred 4-year-old has genuine talent. Clarehaven's representatives usually require a run to get up to speed, even if Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}) proved the exception to the rule last month, so a win on this reintroduction will augur well for her prospects this term. Last year's G1 QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares S. winner Eshaada (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}) has had a pipe-opener in 2022, while Sunderland Holdings' Sea La Rosa (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) comes into this on the back of success in the course-and-distance G3 Pinnacle S. May 28.

Alert And Ready

While 3-year-old representation in this has been numerically small in recent years and the ones that have been pitched into battle have hardly been the cream of the Classic crop, it is notable that since 2012 all of that age that have tried have not succeeded and most have been soundly beaten. Looking to buck the trend and exploit a generous 12-pound weight-for-age allowance this time are Kirsten Rausing's Oaks fifth Kawida (GB) (Sir Percy {GB}) and Ben and Sir Martyn Arbib's June 9 Listed Abingdon S. scorer Stay Alert (GB) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), with the latter sure to appreciate the step up in trip.

“I think it is competitive enough and there is a strong group of older horses,” the latter's trainer Hughie Morrison said. “The exciting thing she showed at Newbury was she had a turn of foot. She can only get better over time and she has had quite a busy year. Whatever she achieves now through the rest of the year is going to be great, but she will be serious next year. Martyn Arbib is not getting any younger and he wants to have a go at the St Leger-we can pretend and dream about it, can't we?”

What Next From Torquator Tasso?

Hamburg's Derby meeting on Saturday sees the second outing in 2022 of Torquator Tasso (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}), with Marcel Weiss hoping that Gestut Auenquelle's reigning Arc hero shows much more of his sparkle in the G2 wettstar.de Grosser Hansa-Preis. A shadow of the performer that turned up at ParisLongchamp in October when sixth behind the re-opposing Alter Adler (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) in the May 29 G2 Grosser Preis der Badischen Wirtschaft, he has some serious ground to cover if he is to return to his pomp.

Hurricane Blows In

As far as the Arc is concerned, Sunday is a big day with the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud attracting a star cast headed by Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}). Tackling Kirsten Rausing's triple Group 1 winner Alpinista (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Ballydoyle's High Definition (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Ballylinch Stud and Aquis Farm's Lone Eagle (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Gestut Schlenderhan's Mare Australis (Ire) (Australia {GB}), this is no easy second step for Godolphin's Irish Derby, Grand Prix de Paris and St Leger hero.

“There's a bit of rain forecast, so it looks like being on the slower side of good for sure. Any quicker and it might have raised concerns,” Charlie Appleby said on Friday. “He'll have one more prep run before the Arc and whether that will be in Ireland, England or France, we'll make that decision closer to the time.”

Click here for the group fields.

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Trainer Charlie Appleby said, “He has come out of the race great. As you saw he went on the seawalker yesterday morning and he has been out for a jog this morning and has been turned out in the paddock and he has shown his wellness. All signs are good so far.

“Without rubber stamping anything the discussions that are taking place at the moment are that we will give this horse a bit more time and look towards going to a King George with him. I think timing-wise it suits him and also we will have tested our mettle a bit against the older horses.

“After that we can see what he is like against the older horses there and if he happens to win a King George we can work back from an Arc. If he gets beat in a King George then we revert back to our original plan which was going down the St Leger route.

“I think, personally, looking from the outside having won neither race, I would rather pinpoint one as we all know in the autumn it is a big ask to do a St Leger then an Arc.”

One of Godolphin and Appleby's other Derby runners, third-place finisher and G2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante S. victor Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {Ire}), will return sooner than his stablemate. The June 26 G1 Irish Derby has been pencilled in for the chestnut.

Appleby added, “I was delighted with Hurricane Lane. He was the horse I thought in the paddock looked magnificent and I thought he took the preliminaries very well.

“What did surprise me, but we took it as a positive, is that he is very much learning on the job there. He showed his inexperience. Going into the Derby I thought he was one run short of what I would have liked to seen.

“He came off the bridle a bit earlier than I expected but his class got himself back into a position that he would be in the mix at the right end.  I'm delighted with how he has come out of it and the plan with Hurricane Lane is to head straight to Ireland.”

Rounding out the trio of Godolphin Derby starters was G3 Autumn S. winner One Ruler (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). The colt ran sixth on Saturday, and is a possible starter for the 1 1/4-mile G3 Hampton Court S. at Royal Ascot on June 17.

He said, “We will drop him back to 10 furlongs. James [Doyle] said he didn't handle the track particularly well but he didn't see it out either. We might look at something like the Hampton Court, we will see what his wellbeing is like.

“He would carry a penalty in that from his G3 Autumn S. success but we could look at something like that or wait for an [G1 Coral-] Eclipse [at Sandown on July 3].”

Plans Revealed For Other Classic Colts
Mohaafeth (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), who was scratched on the morning of the Blue Riband due to the ground, is also resurfacing in the Hampton Court. He also has an entry in the June 18 G2 King Edward VII S. at Royal Ascot, but Shadwell Racing Manager Angus Gold indicated that the Hampton Court was more likely.

Gold said, “It's most likely he'll run in the mile-and-a-quarter race, I would think. There is quite a body of opinion around the horse that thinks he might end up a mile-and-a-quarter horse.

“We weren't sure about the mile and a half going into the Derby. I've noticed his breeder has been quoted twice now, saying she doesn't think he'd stay–and he has got a lot of speed, this horse. Maybe it will turn out a mile and a quarter is his best trip–time will tell.”

Derby runner-up Mojo Star (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) will most likely start next in the Irish Derby. The Amo Racing Limited runner has three runner-up performances to show from three starts, and he was only 4 1/2 lengths off of Adayar at Epsom on Saturday.

“He's absolutely fine–and we're looking for the next Derby, I suppose,” trainer Richard Hannon told the Nick Luck Daily Podcast on Monday morning. “It's not an easy feat, but I'm not sure we've anything to gain by winning a novice or a maiden–and quite often these sort of horses get turned over at long odds-on in those sort of races.

“I think we'll be looking at something like an Irish Derby or a King George, maybe. If you finish in the first three in the English Derby, you get a free go at the Irish Derby, so that's got to be worth looking at.

“We've never had a horse finish that close in a Derby before. They're extremely hard to find, these sort of horses, and you've got to keep hold of them and keep them racing as long as you can. I said to Kia Joorabchian–who owns the horse–before the Derby that next year's his year. He's always looked like a horse that, when he's four, he could be something a little bit different.”

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Jockey William Buick had every fraction right and he said, “He’s got a huge cruising speed and he knows how to use it. It was his first go over a mile and a quarter in a group one and he was in a nice rhythm the whole way. Charlie had him in great shape. We were obviously concerned about Enable coming into the race, but it was her first run of the season and I’m sure she’ll improve from the race.”

Re-setting Newmarket’s Rowley Mile’s mile-and-a-half track record a month previously when leading Anthony Van Dyck (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) a merry dance in the Coronation Cup, Ghaiyyath was putting two big efforts back-to-back after his 8 1/2-length success in the Feb. 20 G3 Dubai Millennium at Meydan. That suggested that the 5-year-old had turned a corner from last term, when one of his typically audacious front-running displays tended to be followed by a drop-off the next time. That was the case when his remarkable 14-length win in the G1 Grosser Preis von Baden preceded a dive in fortunes in ParisLongchamp’s G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in October, but it is widely-held that he went off too fast in testing ground there.

Having not always been comfortable on ground with some bounce, it holds no fears for the imposing bay these days and he was unhurried by William Buick despite not breaking best. It may have taken him a few strides to get into his customary position, but when he got there he was free to do as he pleased with the only other pace angles Magic Wand (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Bangkok (Ire) (Australia {GB}) restrained. Frankie was intent on keeping Enable away from the possibility of a prolonged duel, but when the time came to join pursuit she had a touch less than her customary zip. Japan gave way eventually as Ghaiyyath maintained his momentum and it was clear on the rising ground to the line that Juddmonte’s mare would not be adding another prestige event to her illustrious tally.

“As a horse, you go with what Ghaiyyath wants to do–he’s not a horse who likes to be controlled,” Buick added. “You just sit against him, let him use his huge stride and go when he’s ready. He’s a joy to ride and a very, very good horse. As a five-year-old he’s mature physically and mentally–he’s becoming the finished article. I think a mile and a quarter will be his optimum trip, as he’s very fast. Sometimes when you ride him over a mile and a half you’re always worried the last furlong is going to be a long one, but he keeps going.”

Charlie Appleby, 45 on Sunday, was enjoying the perfect gift and said, “He’s a horse we’ve always held in high regard and we’ve seen the performances he can put up. Obviously he’d been an emphatic winner in France and in Germany and out in Dubai, but I think the Coronation Cup win gained him a lot of fans and support. We were never concerned about dropping him back to the 10 furlongs today. He’s got loads of pace and statistically this track suits front-runners. We had immense respect for Enable, who I felt lost nothing in defeat–it was a great battle up the straight.”

“This year he seems to be taking his races better,” he added. “We toyed with the idea of going for the [G2] Prince of Wales’s Stakes after the Coronation Cup, but we thought we’d give ourselves an extra couple of weeks and we know this track can favour a front runner. The [G1] Juddmonte International at York would be up there. He’s shown his versatility now, winning over 10 and 12 furlongs. You don’t beat Enable having an easy run, so we’ll see where we are over the next week and then decide whether we head to York or whether he needs a bit more time. There’s plenty of racing coming up over the autumn, so I don’t think we need to be making any rash decisions. Our plan was always to work back from another crack at the Arc. If Enable is in it, we’ll just have to take her on again.”

John Gosden was thinking about Ascot in three weeks’ time and a third King George for the runner-up. “I’m delighted with her,” he said. “She ran a gorgeous race. We know Ghaiyyath and as I warned everybody it is a great front-runners track, Sandown. If he gets free on the front, as he is a fabulous horse, you are never going to get to him. We found that out in the Coronation. She has put in a perfect performance and has come with a lovely run. I’m delighted with the way she came there. Frankie said the last half a furlong she just needed it, so he looked after her. It is the perfect platform we were looking for for the King George. We were very happy.”

“She enjoyed it and her zest and desire is there, but trying to get involved with a front-running horse like him was never going to be her deal. I think I did warn everybody about that left, right and centre. She is an older mare now and it has taken a great deal more to get her to this point, but she has run a beautiful race and I couldn’t be more thrilled with her. We knew coming we were 85 per cent and you are not going to beat a front-running horse like that around here. She has run the most perfect race to point towards the King George.”

Ghaiyyath is a son of the dominant G1 Irish 1000 Guineas heroine Nightime (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who has also produced the GI Man o’War S., G3 Kilternan S. and G3 Blue Wind S. winner Zhukova (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) and the listed-placed Sleeping Beauty (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}), who is in turn the dam of the GIII With Anticipation S. runner-up Irish Territory (Ire) (Declaration of War). From the family of the GI Sword Dancer Invitational hero King’s Drama (Ire) (King’s Theatre {Ire}), Nightime has understandably become something of a legend at the major sales auction houses.

Zhukova was bought by Sheikh Mohammed for 3.7million gns at the 2017 Tattersalls December Mares Sale, while the following year’s auction saw Stroud Coleman Bloodstock pay 700,000gns for the Foal Sale’s top-priced full-brother to Ghaiyyath who is now named New Kingdom (Ire). At the Goffs November Foals Sale in November, Nightime’s latest son of Dubawi set a new record when again being knocked down to Godolphin for €1.2million.

Sunday, Sandown, Britain
CORAL-ECLIPSE-G1, £250,000, Sandown, 7-5, 4yo/up, 9f 209yT, 2:04.48, gd.
1–GHAIYYATH (IRE), 129, h, 5, by Dubawi (Ire)
1st Dam: Nightime (Ire) (G1SW-Ire, $299,507), by Galileo (Ire)
2nd Dam: Caumshinaun (Ire), by Indian Ridge (Ire)
3rd Dam: Ridge Pool (Ire), by Bluebird
(€1,100,000 Wlg ’15 GOFNOV). O-Godolphin; B-Springbank Way Stud (IRE); T-Charlie Appleby; J-William Buick. £141,775. Lifetime Record: Hwt. Older Horse-Ger at 11-14, G1SW-Ger, MGSW & G1SP-Fr, GSW-UAE, 11-8-0-2, $762,840. *1/2 to Zhukova (IRE) (Fastnet Rock (AUS)), Hwt. Older Mare-Eur at 9.5-11f, GISW-USA & MGSW-Ire, $499,594; and Sleeping Beauty (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}), SP-Ire. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Enable (GB), 126, m, 6, Nathaniel (Ire)–Concentric (GB), by Sadler’s Wells. O-Khalid Abdullah; B-Juddmonte Farms Ltd (GB); T-John Gosden. £53,750.
3–Japan (GB), 129, c, 4, Galileo (Ire)–Shastye (Ire), by Danehill. (1,300,000gns Ylg ’17 TATOCT). O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor & Masaaki Matsushima; B-Newsells Park Stud (GB); T-Aidan O’Brien. £26,900.
Margins: 2 1/4, HD, 1HF. Odds: 2.25, 1.00, 6.00.
Also Ran: Magic Wand (Ire), Deirdre (Jpn), Regal Reality (GB), Bangkok (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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