Orthodox rebounded from his loss in the Prix Morny to claim a prestigious victory at the Tattersalls Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket, marking his first win at the highest level. The race unfolded with Force Noir taking the early lead, setting a brisk tempo that stretched the field.
As the three‑furlong point approached, Rossa Ryan, aboard the Norfolk Stakes champion, eased his mount and prompted Orthodox to respond, testing the colt’s stamina and speed. Clive Cox’s seven‑to‑two runner was pressed all the way to the finish line by Robson De Aguiar’s Force Noir, a horse that started at long odds. In a nail‑biting finish, Orthodox edged out his rival by a neck, while the race favourite, Inner City Blues, never managed to get into contention. The win represented a gratifying return to form for the Royal Ascot winner, and Cox was effusive in his post‑race comments.
"We always believed in him," Cox said. "The question was whether he would handle the quicker ground this time of year.
Sometimes the going isn’t as fast, but I’m thrilled he showed the talent we see at home. He’s special in the mornings and just as impressive in the afternoons. He’s tough, very capable, and it was a massive team effort to get him here.
I’m over the moon." He continued, praising jockey Rossa Ryan’s ride: "He got the perfect position on the track, and Rossa was brilliant, guiding him through the dip and then letting him unleash his speed. It was a superb ride, and Rossa knows exactly what he’s doing in the mornings and what he’s up against." This victory marked the third Middle Park win for Cox, joining the likes of Reckless Abandon (2012) and Supremacy (2020), both owned by Jason Goddard, the same proprietor of Orthodox. Looking ahead, the colt’s connections see a bright future in sprinting, a division where Cox has consistently excelled.
Ladbrokes and Coral have already offered odds of 12‑1 for Orthodox in next year’s Commonwealth Cup at the Royal Meeting. Before targeting that race, the team is also weighing a possible trip to the United States for the Breeders’ Cup.
Cox elaborated on the options: "I would be hugely excited about this horse. I know his family well – his aunt won the Queen Mary for us (Heartache). He has the ability to race over five or six furlongs, and today he proved he can handle six. He has the turn of foot to win comfortably over five at Ascot and is a truly talented sprinter." He added, "It would be a joy to send him to the Breeders’ Cup and see how he returns.
We’ll discuss it with Jason in the coming days, but first we need to enjoy today’s success." In other news, Haffner shed a disappointing run in the National Stakes and rebounded with a commanding win in the Tattersalls Online Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket. Trained by Charlie Appleby, the race featured a duel between Quest For Stars and First Law for the early lead, with First Law positioned on the far side of the course alongside Iwasjustsaying. Aidan O’Brien‑trained Haffner made his move a furlong and a half from the finish, pulling clear of the field while First Law and Quest For Stars could not match his acceleration.
The well‑backed seven‑four favourite held on to win by one and a quarter lengths, delivering O’Brien his record eighth Royal Lodge victory and giving jockey Ryan Moore his first in the event. Karl Burke’s Burning Up finished second, representing the colours of last year’s winner Bow Echo.
O’Brien praised the colt’s performance: "The ground softened at the Curragh the previous day, which didn’t suit him. He’ll be a lovely middle‑distance horse next season, a French Derby‑type. He’ll stay a mile and a quarter and could even go further, so I’m delighted.
He’s a good mover; we didn’t expect the ground to be as soft as it was at the Curragh. He’s a beautiful mover, and we were happy to draw a line through that and he was always in control today. Ryan gave him a beautiful, uncomplicated ride – it was very simple really." He continued, "His form is a different class, really. The only blemish was the National Stakes, which we know was due to the ground.
He’ll take the mile easily. He’s an Acomb winner and his form is so strong." Paddy Power have offered Haffner a 4‑1 chance for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Keeneland next month, and O’Brien hinted that the United States could be the next destination for the talented son of Justify.
"America is very possible next, where he will get nice ground. He would love the Breeders’ Cup round a bend and the mile would be very easy for him, so we’ll see what the lads want to do," O’Brien said. He added, "America was always a possibility and the last day was a blip, but we had to come here today to confirm that he’s back on track. He could start in a Guineas next year and then we’ll see him stepping up in trip." Both Orthodox and Haffner have demonstrated resilience and high‑class ability, suggesting bright futures in both sprint and middle‑distance categories.
Their trainers, Cox and O’Brien, have highlighted the importance of ground conditions, tactical riding, and careful planning for international campaigns. As the racing calendar progresses, fans can anticipate further developments, potential trips to the Breeders’ Cup, and the looming Commonwealth Cup and Guineas contests that could shape the next chapter of these promising thoroughbreds’ careers.