Orthodox quickly put his recent Prix Morny disappointment behind him by delivering a top‑class performance in the Tattersalls Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket, a race that marked his first attempt at the highest level of competition. The early stages of the race were dominated by Force Noir, who took the lead and established a brisk tempo for the field. As the three‑furlong point approached, Rossa Ryan, riding Orthodox, made his move, challenging the early pacesetter and testing the colt’s stamina. The Clive Cox‑trained horse, sent off at 7‑2, was forced to stay on the tail end of the action, but he responded with determination as the finish line loomed.
In a thrilling conclusion, Orthodox edged out Robson De Aguiar’s Force Noir by a neck, despite the fact that the race favourite, Inner City Blues, never managed to get into contention. The narrow margin underscored the high‑quality nature of the contest and highlighted Orthodox’s resilience after his earlier setback.
Cox, clearly elated, praised his charge, saying, "We always believed in him; the question was whether he would handle the quicker ground that is typical for this time of year. Sometimes the ground isn’t as fast, but I’m thrilled he showed what we see in training – he’s special both in the mornings and the afternoons.
He’s tough, very capable, and it was a massive team effort to get him here. I’m over the moon." He went on to commend jockey Rossa Ryan, noting, "He guided Orthodox perfectly through the dip and then gave him a clean run. It was a superb ride; Rossa knows exactly what he’s doing and how to get the best out of the horse." This victory marked the third time Cox has claimed the Middle Park, joining the likes of Reckless Abandon (2012) and Supremacy (2020), both of which were also owned by Jason Goddard. With Orthodox now firmly established as a top‑class sprinter, Ladbrokes and Coral have already offered him odds of 12‑1 for next year’s Commonwealth Cup at the Royal meeting, indicating that his connections are already looking ahead to further Group‑level targets.
Beyond the British season, there is talk of an overseas campaign. Cox hinted that a trip to the United States for the Breeders’ Cup could be on the agenda, stating, "I would be hugely excited by this fellow. 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 stay the longer trip. He has the gear to win over five furlongs at Ascot and is a very talented sprinter. A Breeders’ Cup run is a possibility, but we’ll enjoy today first and then discuss the future in the coming days." In related news, another promising youngster, Haffner, rebounded from a disappointing effort in the National Stakes with a commanding win in the Tattersalls Online Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket.
Trained by Aidan O’Brien, Haffner broke clear of the field a furlong and a half from home and held on to win by one and a quarter lengths, giving O’Brien a record eighth Royal Lodge victory and delivering Ryan Moore his first win in the race. Karl Burke’s Burning Up finished a respectable second for the colours of last year’s winner, Bow Echo. O’Brien was quick to praise his colt, explaining that the soft ground at the Curragh had hindered his performance in the National Stakes. He believes Haffner will thrive over middle distances next season, describing him as a potential French Derby contender who could comfortably handle a mile and a quarter, or even longer.
"He’s a beautiful mover, and despite the soft ground we were confident he’d stay the mile easily. His form is of a different class, and the only blemish was the ground‑affected run at the Curragh," O’Brien said. Paddy Power have already offered Haffner 4‑1 odds for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Keeneland, and O’Brien confirmed that an American campaign is under serious consideration.
"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," O’Brien added. He also hinted at a possible Guineas start next year before stepping up in distance. Both Orthodox and Haffner exemplify the depth of talent currently emerging in European flat racing.
Their connections are weighing options that span from classic middle‑distance targets to elite sprint contests and even transatlantic challenges. As the season progresses, fans can expect further updates, race previews, and behind‑the‑scenes insights from trainers, jockeys, and owners as they map out the next chapters in the careers of these promising horses. Stay tuned for the latest racing news, in‑depth interviews, and feature stories across all platforms, ensuring you never miss a moment of the action.