Orthodox recovered from his loss in the Prix Morny and returned to top‑class competition in the Tattersalls Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket, where he delivered a decisive victory. The race began with Force Noir taking the early lead, setting a brisk tempo that stretched the field.
At the three‑furlong point, Rossa Ryan, riding Orthodox, asked the Norfolk Stakes winner to quicken, prompting a genuine test of stamina and speed. The Clive Cox‑trained colt, sent off at 7‑2, was challenged all the way to the finish line by Robson De Aguiar's Force Noir, who offered long odds and fought valiantly. In the end, Orthodox edged his rival by a neck, while the race favourite, Inner City Blues, never found a rhythm and faded early. This win marked a much‑needed return to winning form for the Royal Ascot victor, and Cox was effusive in his praise.
"We always believed in him," Cox said. "The question was whether he could handle the quicker ground that comes with this time of year. Sometimes the going 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, highly capable, and it was a massive team effort to get him here.
I’m over the moon." He continued, "He got the most out of the track, and Rossa’s ride was superb. He guided him through the dip and then let him unleash his turn of foot.
It was a masterful ride – Rossa knows exactly what he’s doing and what the horse needs." This victory represents Cox’s third Middle Park triumph, joining the likes of Reckless Abandon (2012) and Supremacy (2020), both also owned by Jason Goddard. Looking ahead, Orthodox’s connections have already earmarked the next season’s Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, with Ladbrokes and Coral offering odds of 12‑1. However, a potential trip across the Atlantic to contest the Breeders’ Cup is also on the table.
Cox added, "I’d be hugely excited about this horse. I know his pedigree well – his aunt won the Queen Mary for us (Heartache). He can handle five‑furlong sprints, but today proved he can stay six furlongs too.
He has the turn of foot to win over five at Ascot and is a genuinely talented sprinter. It’s a joy to have him." He noted that the Breeders’ Cup remains a possibility, saying, "We’ll enjoy today’s success first, then discuss the future over the next few days. If the connections decide, a trip to America could be on the cards." In related news, Haffner erased a disappointing effort in the National Stakes with a clear‑cut 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, 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 from the field as First Law and Quest For Stars could not match his acceleration. The well‑backed 7‑4 favourite secured victory by one and a quarter lengths, giving O'Brien a record eighth Royal Lodge win and delivering Ryan Moore his first success in the race.
Karl Burke’s Burning Up rounded out the placings, finishing second for the colours of last year’s winner, Bow Echo. O'Brien praised his colt, saying, "The ground softened at the Curragh the previous day, which didn’t suit him. He’ll be a lovely middle‑distance horse next year – think French Derby type.
He’ll handle the Guineas distance, can stay a mile and a quarter, and might even stay further. He’s a beautiful mover, and despite the soft ground at the Curragh, he was in control today. Ryan gave him a simple, uncomplicated ride." He continued, "His form is of a different class. The only blemish was the National Stakes, which we attribute to the ground.
He’ll take a mile easily. He’s an Acomb winner and his form is incredibly strong." Paddy Power have offered Haffner a 4‑1 price 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 a very possible target, where he’ll get nice ground.
He’d love the Breeders’ Cup round a bend, and the mile would be very easy for him. We’ll see what the lads decide," O'Brien said.
He added, "America has always been an option. The soft ground at the Curragh was a blip, but today confirmed his ability.
He could start in a Guineas next year and then step up in distance." Overall, the weekend highlighted two rising stars rebounding from setbacks and confirming their potential at the highest level. Orthodox’s narrow neck‑victory in the Middle Park Stakes underscores his adaptability to different ground conditions and his capacity to compete against elite sprinters. Haffner’s dominant performance in the Royal Lodge Stakes showcases his versatility and suggests a promising middle‑distance future, with both horses now being considered for prestigious international contests such as the Commonwealth Cup, the Breeders’ Cup, and classic mile races in the coming season.