Saturday 10th October, 2026 ‘You have to be excited’ – Triple Crown dreams for O’Brien with Darkness Falls

By Adam Morgan, Press Association

It may not obviously stand out as a date to remember, but September 15, 2012 was the day Camelot came within three-quarters of a length of joining the Triple Crown immortals, the first since Nijinsky in 1970.

At Newmarket on Saturday, Triple Crown dreams were ignited by his son, as Darkness Falls dropped in distance to win a red-hot Darley Dewhurst Stakes, a second Group One of a fine juvenile campaign and one that suggests the sky is the limit.

It is a position trainer Aidan O’Brien has been in before. Three years ago to be exact. That day it was City Of Troy drawing the superlatives from the Coolmore collective after the Dewhurst.

In the spring of 2023 it was Auguste Rodin who headed to that year’s Guineas with the moniker ‘Triple Crown’ candidate.

Now the operation that has long been in pursuit of racing’s holy grail could have a fitting candidate in the “very special” son of the horse who has come closest to fulfilling that long-held dream.

O’Brien said: “How many years have we been trying to win a Triple Crown? We always thought this lad could be the one of ours that is a Triple Crown horse if we have one and he could have got beat today and still be. He didn’t lie down today and he’s very exciting, isn’t he?

“You can never be sure he’ll stay a mile and a half and further, but he got a very tough-run nine furlongs at Leopardstown and that means he will definitely get a mile and a quarter as a two-year-old and if you’re getting that at two with his class, you’d imagine he would get a mile and a half around Epsom.

“Like City Of Troy, this lad is very special and when he won his maiden he looked like our number one juvenile and then he went and did what he did at Leopardstown (in the Group One Golden Fleece). To come back after a tough race like that and do what he did today, he has to be very special.”

When you pull through the gates of O’Brien’s Ballydoyle base the statue of Nijinsky serves as a timely reminder of what is most treasured by those nurturing their equine athletes in a hallowed and tranquil corner of Tipperary.

It was under the tutelage of O’Brien’s predecessor, the great Vincent O’Brien, that the son of Northern Dancer sauntered to all three English Classics and in the 56 years that have followed only Nashwan, Sea The Stars and Camelot have had the opportunity to join such elusive company.

Two of the aforementioned chose Paris and the Arc over Doncaster and while Oh So Sharp can claim her own place in the record books by registering the fillies’ equivalent, for O’Brien emulating Nijinsky and those before him remains the “ultimate test”.

“The Triple Crown is out of fashion at the minute because you simply can’t get a horse to do it,” explained O’Brien.

“How can you do it? It’s a very difficult thing to do, but it’s only when you get one you think is capable you then realise exactly how difficult it is to do.

“It’s the total test of the thoroughbred, you’re running a mile up here (in the Guineas) and at that time of year it is like a fast sprint. Then you go to Epsom to test the stamina and quality over a mile and a half and then you are asking them to stay even further in the St Leger.

“You are testing every bone in their body, it’s the ultimate test and if they can pass that they are special. They are more than unusual.

“We knew how special Camelot was and he nearly did it, but he didn’t. He’s a very good stallion who puts an awful lot of class into his horses, like we see with this lad.”

For City Of Troy, Auguste Rodin and many others down the years, Triple Crown dreams would end at the first hurdle.

Darkness Falls will get his own chance in the first Classic of the year in May, and having passed what presented as the perfect dress rehearsal, dreams are well and truly ignited of history being created once again.

O’Brien said: “We thought City Of Troy was very special when he won this race, but it was always going to be very difficult for Darkness Falls to come back to seven furlongs from nine.

“It was John Magnier’s idea and I thought it was a big call and the nine furlongs he ran over last time was a tough nine, the ones on the pace that day burned out and walked home.

“This horse has an awful lot of class and a lovely mind. He came here to see if he was going to be a Guineas horse and if he got anywhere close today then you could say he was. It was an unorthodox preparation for a Dewhurst really.

“He’s very uncomplicated, he’s very classy and Ryan (Moore) felt he had plenty left. At least now we can sleep now over the winter, see what happens in the Guineas and go from there. You have to be excited.”

Saturday 10th October, 2026 Royal Authority secures York top trainer crown for Balding

By Chris Phillips, Press Association

Royal Authority cemented Andrew Balding as the leading trainer at York in 2026 with a dominating victory in the Dementia Forward U&Me EBF Maiden Stakes.

The Dubawi colt was Balding’s 15th winner on the Knavesmire this year to take an unassailable lead over William Haggas, who edged the Kingsclere handler for the title 12 months ago.

Royal Authority (3-1) raced keenly early on and was sent to the head of the field by PJ McDonald as they headed into the final two furlongs of the mile contest.

Pushed along in the last furlong, he stayed on nicely to run out a two-and-a-quarter-length victor over 5-6 favourite Iron Stone Lad.

Anna-Lisa Balding, assistant to her husband, said: “We’re delighted. Andrew was pretty confident he’d come on a lot for his last run. He’s beautifully bred and he’s done lots and home and we’re delighted that he’s brought it to the track.

“He quickened up nicely and he’s done it with his ears pricked, he’s really enjoyed himself.”

On being the leading trainer at York for the season, where headline triumphs have come with Item in the Juddmonte International and Kalpana in the Yorkshire Oaks, Balding added: “It’s fantastic. It’s been a good race with the Haggas’s, it’s been good fun. But we’re delighted. They’re all so generous and York is somewhere Andrew loves to run his horses.

“The owners love coming here, the staff love coming here and to win the trophy it does mean an amazing amount, so we’re delighted.

“It’s been an incredible season, the whole thing. You don’t really want it to end, but we’ve been very lucky and luck does have a lot to do with it. You’ve got to be lucky, you’ve got to have a good team of owners, a good team of staff and a good team of horses and this year it all came together.”

Balding remains locked in a two-way battle with Aidan O’Brien for the British Flat trainers’ title, and his wife says that whatever happens it should not take away from what has been a remarkable campaign.

She added: “I think it’s going to be tough with him (O’Brien) winning the Dewhurst, but it’s been a great season and we mustn’t let whatever happens get in the way of that. We must be very proud of the team and what we’ve achieved this year.”

Saturday 10th October, 2026 Alphonse Le Grande edges Sea Lantern for historic Cesarewitch win

By Adam Morgan, Press Association

Alphonse Le Grande became only the second horse in history to win the Club Godolphin Cesarewitch twice when coming with a late rattle to foil a major gamble on Sea Lantern at Newmarket.

The Tony Martin-trained seven-year-old stayed on strongly under 5lb claimer Patrick McGettigan to cut down 4-1 favourite Sea Lantern who had hit the front with less than a furlong to run, with the winner landing the historic handicap by a short head. The well-backed Dawn Rising, runner-up 12 months ago, was third, with High Fibre fourth.

The victory repeated Alphonse Le Grande’s 2024 win, seeing him emulate Aaim To Prosper who won the race in 2010 and 2012.

Martin – who was serving a three-month suspension which meant Cathy O’Leary held the licence when Alphone Le Grande struck two years ago – said: “I couldn’t believe it, I thought we had ruined our chances by running two weeks ago at the Curragh. But he’s such a tough little horse he pulled it out the bag. He keeps turning up when we need him and on better ground he finds another gear.

“I didn’t know we had got it, but I’m delighted he got the right result in the photo – I just need to make sure the jockey weighs in!

“He has never ridden for me before, but he came up and sat on him in the week and I loved the positivity. He did exactly what we asked him to do when we had a good chat with him in the week.

“He rode in the race last year and for a fellow of his age he really shone there today. I was hoping it would happen, but you can never be sure a 5lb claimer would be capable of doing that and he was excellent.

“I knew they had started racing early and I wondered had he overdone it a little bit, but we were tracking the right man turning in and he was a length off Ryan Moore and it was great for a young lad to have the patience to do what he did.”

He added: “I thought the ground was gone two years ago when he won and I probably shouldn’t have run him at the Curragh last time. But he’s such a tough and durable horse and he’s bounced back. Luckily the weather has held, he got his ground today and we got a great result.

“He’s only seven and if he comes home safe and sound we can have plenty of fun with him again next year.”

For Brian Ellison it was a bittersweet result, as Sea Lantern returned defeated but with his Malton handler dreaming of bigger days ahead.

He said: “He’s run an unbelievable race and he got a bump which I’m not sure if it cost him. He’s run brilliant.

“He’s a really good horse and I think he could definitely be a Group horse. He’s so laid-back, it’s gutting we got beat but we’re so pleased he ran so well.”

Saturday 10th October, 2026 Coul Angel lands big sprint handicap honours at York

By Chris Phillips, Press Association

Coul Angel defied an 8lb rise to back up his Curragh victory with more glory in the £100,000 Sky Bet Sprint Trophy Handicap at York.

He had finished a length third behind Sondad in a big handicap on the Knavesmire during the Ebor meeting, before gaining revenge at the Irish Champions Festival last month.

The Mick Appleby-trained Coul Angel had laid down his challenge down the centre of the course in the final two furlongs, pressed by Advertised and stablemate Al Shabab Storm, with Binhareer finishing quickly on the inside.

But the 9-2 shot dug deep for Joanna Mason and would not be passed, holding off Advertised by a neck.

Appleby said: “He’s done it well. We thought he was coming here in very good form. He ran he well the last time and he ran really well in Ireland and he’s in the form of his life at the moment.

“He’s thriving and we’ll see whether we are going to run him again this season. We’ll have a look and see what there is. He could possibly even go up to Group company, maybe a Group Three.

“He’s still improving and hopefully he might be even better next year. Jo is a good rider, she rides very well, but we were praying for the line and he’s done it well.

“Al Shabad Storm ran a blinder as well in third, and I thought Annaf (ninth) ran really well. He was just stuck on the stand side and if he’d have been on the other side he would not have been far away. All in all it was a good day.”

Mason – the regular pilot of Sondad – added: “It was an honour to get the leg-up on him. I’ve been in races with him a few times with Sondad! Obviously I beat him at York and then he beat me at the Curragh, so when I saw my name jocked up on him I thought it was an honour.

“It’s been changing for me the last few days, coming far side, stand side, middle. I knew there was a lot of pace around me and it just told me I had to jump out and really get him into stride.”

Saturday 10th October, 2026 Darkness Falls edges Desert Castle in thrilling Dewhurst battle

By Adam Morgan, Press Association

Darkness Falls took over at the top of the 2000 Guineas market after edging a heavyweight clash against previously unbeaten Desert Castle in a thrilling Darley Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket.

Dropping back in trip to seven furlongs from a mile and one after winning the Golden Fleece Stakes at Leopardstown last time out, the Aidan O’Brien-trained Camelot colt – who was already favourite for the Derby – showed he has both pace and stamina.

After taking up the running under Ryan Moore approaching the dip, the Ballydoyle runner was not for passing, landing the Group One contest by a neck at odds of 6-4 from 10-11 favourite Desert Castle and William Buick.

O’Brien, who has Triple Crown aspirations for his winner, said: “John (Magnier) made the call (to run) with the lads. It was a big call to come here and it’s incredible to bring a horse back from nine furlongs to win a Dewhurst.

“We’ve always loved him and he’s always had a lot of class. Ryan gave him a brilliant ride and I’m so grateful to win this for everyone, he’s very exciting.

“We came here to give him the experience with a view to the Guineas and we were always going to find out plenty. It was a massive ask to bring him back to seven furlongs, it was a tough nine at Leopardstown last time and he has so much class obviously.

“He’s so exciting, as you saw what he did over nine furlongs and I don’t think he’ll have any problem going further either, he has a lot of quality.

“When they have as much class as he has they can do anything and the Triple Crown is the dream. His dad was an incredible horse who went very close. This lad is very like him, but quicker.

“His dad is a top-class stallion and this is a very exciting son of his. If everything goes well we’ll start at the Guineas and see what will happen after that.”

Desert Castle may have lost his unbeaten record but Moulton Paddocks handler Charlie Appleby refused to be downcast as he looks forward to a rematch on the Rowley Mile in the spring.

Appleby said: “You are always disappointed when you get beat, but I think there is two nice colts there that have gone to battle and William just felt on that ground he would be taking him back at the three but he was asking him.

“We’ve got a winner there who was not going to stop and maintained it well, but I was pleased with our horse for one with just two runs under his belt and bearing in mind how raw he has been.

“We got to the winner, but just couldn’t get past. He’s come forward and mentally, he’s growing up.

“I’ve always felt this horse was a ‘next year horse’ and he’s a big, scopey horse with some more maturing to do.

“We’ll put him away now and look ahead to the Guineas and I see no reason why we wouldn’t be having a rematch with the winner here in the spring. We’ll see then who comes out best.”

Saturday 10th October, 2026 Rock Montreal battles to Autumn Stakes victory

By Adam Morgan, Press Association

Rock Montreal produced a battling display to land the Group Three Emirates Autumn Stakes at Newmarket and deliver Godolphin with yet another potential Classic prospect for next spring.

The Roger Varian-trained two-year-old had seen his colours lowered by Forbidden Fire in the Flying Scotsman Stakes at Doncaster, form advertised by the winner at Headquarters on Friday.

Delivering a sustained burst through the final two furlongs of the mile contest, the 11-8 favourite reeled in Ballydoyle colt Sergei Diaghilev, who had got first run, and secured a neck victory under jockey William Buick.

Saturday 10th October, 2026 Cut A Dash does just that in Rockingham Stakes at York

By Chris Phillips, Press Association

Cut A Dash came from last to first to strike a blow in the Sky Bet Rockingham Stakes at York.

The Richard Hannon-trained Starspangledbanner colt, who debuted on the Knavesmire in May before finishing fourth in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, was slowly away from a wide draw and settled in at the rear of the field by Sean Levey.

Levey pulled his mount wide as they approached the final furlong and the 4-1 favourite gradually reeled in the field charging down the centre of the course, getting up to land the Listed event by a length from Agamemnon.

Leavy said: “It was a nice performance from stall 11. I told Richard I was going to go forward on him today, but we ended up right at the back! He left the gate a little bit sluggish and I didn’t really want to kick him in the belly from that wide draw.

“There’s no doubt he’s a good horse and he’s just been a little frustrating. What he’s shown at home he hasn’t really found at the track. It’s nice to see him show he is a good horse and he’s one to look forward to.”

Grey Cuban defied odds of 28-1 as he made all to record back-to-back wins in the Sky Bet For The Fans Handicap.

He led by two lengths as they approached the final furlong and a half as Lord Melbourne started to eat into his lead, but the Hugo Palmer-trained gelding found more on the urging of David Probert to hold off the pursuers by half a length.

Probert said: “It was gutsy from him, wasn’t it? Coming into this race off 107 and carrying top-weight in conditions that were very testing. He’s relished every yard. He’s got a high cruising speed and it was so gutsy.

“I thought he might have been vulnerable, especially running into a strong headwind. It’s definitely a highlight performance from him.”

He added: “I’m delighted for the owners and Hugo. He’s a horse that’s quite tough and he’s been competitive in Listed company, so he was entitled to run a big race and I thought that was a top performance from him today.”

Saturday 10th October, 2026 Humidity defies absence of over a year to win at Newmarket

By Adam Morgan, Press Association

Humidity defied an absence of over a year to lead home an Andrew Balding one-two-three from The Lost King and High Stock in the Group Three Modern Games Darley Stakes at Newmarket.

Victory for the three-year-old gelding, a winner of the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot at two and second behind Bow Echo in the Royal Lodge in September last year, delivered a timely boost to the trainer’s championship ambitions.

Winning jockey James Doyle always had the 15-8 second-favourite in contention, tracking early leader Boiling Point before hitting the front over a furlong from home.

From there to the line the son of Ulysses ran on strongly to win ears pricked by a length and a half from 7-4 favourite The Lost King.

Balding said: “It’s nice to have a one-two-three in a Group race, I don’t think I’ve done that before.

“We had very high hopes for him, he’s a quality horse. His two-year-old form was really strong and it’s a shame he’s had to miss the majority of this year. If it hadn’t been for his injury he could have done anything really as a three-year-old.

“They have done a wonderful job the Wathnan team as he went away for around three months and came back in great shape. We’ve just gradually got him back to a place of race-fitness and he looked pretty good today.

“The Lost King had improved with every run this season, but this horse had a different level of form if he was anywhere near his best. He certainly looked to be working to his best, it was always just a case if fitness and the absence caught him out.

“His big targets could be next year and anything is possible – he might be a horse for something like the Prince of Wales’s Stakes. But he’s a fresh horse and there might be some foreign targets for him this winter.

“There will be all sorts of possibilities, so we’ll just have to see.”

Saturday 10th October, 2026 Cromwell calling Final Orders for Pardubicka duty

By Gideon Brooks, Press Association

Gavin Cromwell believes Final Orders has all the tools to help him land a second consecutive Velka Pardubicka on Sunday – if his Cheltenham Festival winning gelding can negotiate the fearsome fourth fence, the Taxis Ditch.

The Gold Cup-winning trainer sends last year’s Cross Country hero to try and follow in the hoofprints of Stumptown who landed the prize in Czechia 12 months ago.

And like Stumptown, who nearly came down under Keith Donoghue at the Taxis, the County Meath handler believes it could be a case of history repeating if Final Orders can get over fence four.

“The Taxis jump is very big and it is important because it comes early in the race,” said Cromwell. “But if you can get out across that you would have to have a good chance. Stumptown nearly came down at that last year.”

The big ditch, on the blind side of a huge hedge, comes early in a unique four-and-a-quarter-mile test in the 136th Velka Pardubicka renewal of a race featuring streams, ploughed fields, stone walls and 31 obstacles in total.

After taking to cross country races last season, winning twice at Cheltenham including at the Festival, Final Orders could be well suited including on the likely faster ground.

Cromwell said: “I think it is going to be good ground. We have all seen him in the Cross Country at Cheltenham and he jumps really well. Obviously parts of this track are bigger again.

“It is expensive to take horses out there but it would be fantastic to win again and we will give it our best shot.”