Orthodox recovered from his disappointing run in the Prix Morny to claim a prestigious victory at Newmarket in the Tattersalls Middle Park Stakes, marking his first win at the very highest level. The race unfolded with Force Noir taking charge early, dictating a brisk tempo as he led the field from the start. However, jockey Rossa Ryan soon intervened, pulling Orthodox into the contest well before the three‑furlong point and asking the Norfolk Stakes winner to give his best. The Clive Cox‑trained colt, sent off at 7‑2, was pressed all the way to the finish line by Force Noir, who was backed at generous odds.

In a thrilling finish, Orthodox edged out his rival by a neck, while the race favourite, Inner City Blues, never managed to get into contention. The win was a much‑needed return to form for the Royal Ascot scorer, and Cox could not hide his delight.

"We always believed in him," he said. "The question was whether the quicker ground this time of year would suit him.

Sometimes the ground isn’t as fast, but I’m over the moon that he has shown what we see at home – he’s special both in the mornings and the afternoons. He’s tough, very talented, and it was a huge team effort to get him here." Cox praised Ryan’s ride, noting how the jockey navigated the dip in the track and then let the horse unleash his finishing speed. "Rossa was supreme," Cox added.

"He knows exactly what he’s riding and what he’s up against, and his timing was perfect." This victory marked the third time Cox has captured the Middle Park, joining the likes of Reckless Abandon (2012) and Supremacy (2020), both of which were also owned by Jason Goddard. Looking ahead, Orthodox’s connections have already begun to plot his next targets.

Ladbrokes and Coral have offered him 12‑1 odds for next year’s Commonwealth Cup at the Royal meeting, but a trip across the Atlantic to contest the Breeders’ Cup is also on the table. "I would be hugely excited by this fellow," Cox continued.

"His family is well‑known to us – his aunt won the Queen Mary for us (Heartache). He can handle five or six furlongs, and today he proved he can stay the six‑furlong distance with ease. He has the turn of foot to win over five furlongs at Ascot, and he’s a genuinely talented sprinter – a joy to have in the stable." Cox added that a Breeders’ Cup campaign would be discussed with owner Jason Goddard in the coming days, after they enjoy the immediate triumph.

"It’s a possibility, but first we savour today’s win and then we’ll talk about the future over the next few days," he said. In other news, Aidan O’Brien’s Haffner rebounded from a lackluster showing in the National Stakes with a decisive victory in the Tattersalls Online Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket.

The race featured a duel between Charlie Appleby’s Quest For Stars and First Law for the early lead, while Iwasjustsaying raced on the far side of the course. Haffner, backed at 7‑4, made his move a furlong and a half from home, pulling away from the field as First Law and Quest For Stars could not match his acceleration. He won 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 finished a respectable second, representing the colours of last year’s winner Bow Echo. O’Brien praised the colt’s adaptability, explaining that softer ground at the Curragh had hindered his performance in the National Stakes.

"He’ll be a lovely middle‑distance horse next year, a French Derby type. He’ll stay a mile and a quarter and could even go further. He’s a good mover, and despite the soft ground at the Curragh, he showed a beautiful turn of foot today.

Ryan gave him an uncomplicated ride – it was very simple really," the trainer said. He added that Haffner’s form was of a different class, with the only blemish being the soft ground in the National Stakes, and expressed confidence that the colt would handle a mile with ease. Paddy Power have already made Haffner a 4‑1 prospect 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 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 reiterated that the soft ground at the Curragh was a one‑off issue and that Haffner is back on track, suggesting a possible start in a Guineas next year before stepping up in distance. Both trainers emphasized the importance of enjoying the present successes while carefully planning future campaigns, whether that involves targeting classic middle‑distance races or exploring international sprint opportunities. The racing community can stay updated with the latest news, interviews, and features through Sky Sports Racing and related platforms, ensuring fans never miss a story from the sport they love.