Orthodox steps back to the fore in Middle Park
Orthodox returned to winning form at Newmarket, prevailing in a tightly contested Tattersalls Middle Park Stakes to underline his status as one of the juvenile sprinting prospects of the season. The Clive Cox-trained colt, who had previously scored at Royal Ascot, was ridden prominently by Rossa Ryan and dug deep to hold off a late challenge from Force Noir.
Force Noir set a lively tempo from the outset, but Oxfordshire’s travelling pair—Olive-backed Orthodox stalking in close attendance—were able to land the decisive blows in the closing stages. Orthodox, sent off around 7-2, found enough in the final furlong to beat the outsider by a neck, while the market favourite Inner City Blues failed to make an impact.
For Cox, the result was confirmation of the colt’s adaptability and raw ability. He paid tribute to the way Ryan navigated the dips and quicker surface at Newmarket and highlighted the team effort that delivered the colt to this grade.
The victory represents Cox’s third Middle Park success, following Reckless Abandon and Supremacy, both trained to group level for connections including owner Jason Goddard. With the performance, Orthodox has been discussed for major sprint targets next season and connections will also consider a potential trip to the Breeders’ Cup later in the year.
What the win means for Orthodox’s programme
- Orthodox demonstrated he handles five and six furlongs effectively, leaving his immediate future focused on the sprint division.
- Connections have indicated interest in the Breeders’ Cup as a possible autumn option, subject to how the colt recovers and progresses in the coming weeks.
- Early post-race market references have already linked him to next season’s major sprint contests, reflecting the impression he made at Newmarket.
Haffner bounces back to land Royal Lodge
Aidan O’Brien’s Haffner delivered a commanding performance in the Tattersalls Online Royal Lodge Stakes, reversing a lesser run in the National Stakes to take the Group race at Newmarket by a clear margin. Ridden by Ryan Moore, the son of Justify asserted himself a furlong and a half from home and went on to win by around one and a quarter lengths.
Haffner was produced prominently and travelled strongly throughout, leaving First Law and Quest For Stars unable to match his turn of foot. Karl Burke’s Burning Up finished best of the remainder to take the minor placing behind the winner.
Further prospects for Haffner
- O’Brien described Haffner as a colt likely to develop into a middle-distance performer next season, suggesting he should stay a mile and a quarter and could stay further.
- The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf has been mooted as a potential autumn target, where Haffner would race on a round course over a mile with generally firmer underfoot conditions than those that affected his recent run at the Curragh.
- Longer-term, connections view the classic three-year-old programme—Guineas and beyond—as options for the colt should he progress as expected.
Newmarket’s big juvenile days produced two contrasting reminders of the different directions youngsters can take: Orthodox stamping himself as a high-class sprinter and Haffner emerging as a candidate for the middle-distance ranks. Both performances will be reflected on as trainers and owners map out campaigns towards next season’s festival targets, including Royal Ascot and potential international assignments.
This article may have been prepared in whole or in part with the assistance of artificial intelligence.
