Orthodox recovered from his disappointing run in the Prix Morny and proved his class at the highest level for the first time in the Tattersalls Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket. The race began with Force Noir taking the lead and setting a brisk tempo, but Rossa Ryan quickly intervened, urging his mount to challenge the early pacesetter.
At the three‑furlong point, Ryan asked the Norfolk Stakes winner, Orthodox, to give his effort, and the Clive Cox‑trained colt, sent out at 7‑2, was pushed hard all the way to the finish. In the end, he edged out Robson De Aguiar's Force Noir by a neck, despite the favourite Inner City Blues never finding a clear run.
The victory marked a much‑needed return to form for the Royal Ascot winner, and Cox could not hide his delight. He explained, "We always believed in him; the question was whether he would handle the quicker ground this time of year. Sometimes the ground isn’t as fast, but I’m thrilled he showed what we see at home – he’s special both in the mornings and afternoons.
He’s tough, very able, and it was a massive team effort to get him here. I’m over the moon." Cox praised jockey Rossa Ryan, saying, "He got the most out of the track, especially through the dip, and then let him fly.
It was a superb ride. Rossa knows his horse inside out and always rides with confidence." This triumph gave Cox his third Middle Park win, following successes with Reckless Abandon in 2012 and Supremacy in 2020, both owned by Jason Goddard, the same owner as Orthodox. Looking ahead, Orthodox is now being offered at 12‑1 by Ladbrokes and Coral for next year’s Commonwealth Cup at the Royal Meeting, although his connections are also entertaining the idea of a trip to the United States for the Breeders’ Cup.
Cox added, "I’d be hugely excited for this lad. I know his family well – his aunt won the Queen Mary for us (Heartache). He can handle five or six furlongs, and today he proved he can stay six. He has the turn of foot to win over five at Ascot and is a genuinely talented sprinter." Cox continued, "It would be a joy to send him to the Breeders’ Cup and see how he comes back.
We’ll discuss it with Jason in the coming days, but first we have to savour today’s win." In other news, Haffner put a disappointing National Stakes run behind him with a commanding victory in the Tattersalls Online Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket. Trained by Charlie Appleby, the race saw Quest For Stars and First Law contest the early lead, while Iwasjustsaying raced on the far side of the course.
Aidan O’Brien’s Haffner made his move a furlong and a half from the finish, pulling away decisively as the others could not match his acceleration. The well‑backed 7‑4 favourite won by one and a quarter lengths, giving O’Brien a record eighth Royal Lodge win and earning Ryan Moore his first in the race. Karl Burke’s Burning Up finished second, representing the colours of last year’s winner Bow Echo.
O’Brien praised the colt, stating, "The ground softened at the Curragh the previous day, which didn’t suit him. He’ll be a lovely middle‑distance horse next season – think French Derby type. He’ll take the Guineas, stay a mile and a quarter, and could even stay further. He moves beautifully, and despite the soft ground at the Curragh, he was in control today.
Ryan gave him a clean, uncomplicated ride, and his form is of a different class. The only blemish was the National Stakes, which we attribute to the ground.
He’ll handle a mile easily; his pedigree and form are outstanding." Paddy Power have offered Haffner a 4‑1 price for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Keeneland next month, and O’Brien hinted that a trip to America could be on the agenda for the talented son of Justify. "America is a very possible next step, where the ground will be nicer.
He’d love the Breeders’ Cup round a bend, and the mile would be easy for him. We’ll see what the lads decide. The soft ground at the Curragh was a one‑off, and today confirmed he’s back on track.
He could start in a Guineas next year and then step up in distance," O’Brien added. Both trainers emphasized the importance of the horses' versatility and the strategic planning required for their future campaigns. Cox highlighted Orthodox’s ability to handle different ground conditions, noting that the faster turf at Newmarket suited his running style, while O’Brien underlined Haffner’s adaptability from soft ground to firmer surfaces, suggesting a bright future over a range of distances. The racing community reacted positively to the two victories.
Fans praised Orthodox’s resilience after the Prix Morny loss, and analysts noted the tactical brilliance of Rossa Ryan’s ride, which maximised the colt’s turn of foot in the final furlong. Meanwhile, Haffner’s dominant performance reinforced Aidan O’Brien’s reputation for nurturing top‑class juveniles capable of progressing to classic distances. Looking forward, the discussions surrounding potential trips to the Breeders’ Cup for both horses illustrate the growing international ambition of British trainers. Should Orthodox travel to the United States, he would join a select group of European sprinters testing themselves against the world’s best on American soil, while Haffner’s possible appearance in the Juvenile Turf could showcase his versatility and further enhance his stud value.
Overall, the Middle Park Stakes and Royal Lodge Stakes provided a thrilling showcase of emerging talent, tactical acumen, and the strategic foresight of leading trainers. The victories not only added prestigious Group 1 and Group 2 laurels to the records of Cox and O’Brien but also set the stage for exciting campaigns next season, whether at Royal Ascot, in the Commonwealth Cup, or across the Atlantic at the Breeders’ Cup.