Orthodox rebounded from his loss in the Prix Morny to claim a top‑class victory for the first time in the Tattersalls Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket. The race unfolded with Force Noir taking charge early, establishing a brisk tempo at the head of the field. Rossa Ryan, however, soon challenged the pace and asked the Norfolk Stakes winner Orthodox to make his move as they approached the three‑furlong point. The Clive Cox‑trained colt, sent out at 7‑2 odds, was pressed all the way to the finish line by Robson De Aguiar’s Force Noir, who was offered at generous odds.
In the end, Orthodox edged his rival by a neck, while the race favourite, Inner City Blues, never found a rhythm and faded early. The win marked a welcome return to winning form for the Royal Ascot scorer, and Cox was effusive in his remarks: “We always believed in him; the question was whether he would handle the firmer ground that comes at this time of year. Sometimes the ground isn’t as quick as today, but I’m thrilled he has shown what we see in training.
He’s special both in the mornings and the afternoons – tough, capable, and the product of a great team effort. I’m over the moon.” Cox continued, praising jockey Rossa Ryan’s tactics: “He got the best out of the track, navigating the dip perfectly before letting the horse unleash. It was a superb ride.
Rossa knows his mounts inside out and knows exactly what he’s up against.” This victory represents the third Middle Park triumph for Cox, who previously won with Reckless Abandon in 2012 and Supremacy in 2020 – both horses also owned by Jason Goddard. Looking ahead, Orthodox’s connections have already placed a 12‑1 price on him for next year’s Commonwealth Cup at the Royal meeting, indicating a clear sprint‑focused future.
Before that, a possible trip to the United States for the Breeders’ Cup is on the table. Cox elaborated: “I’m extremely excited about this horse. His family line is familiar to us – his aunt won the Queen Mary for us (Heartache). He has the ability to compete 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 genuinely talented sprinter. A Breeders’ Cup run is a realistic option; we’ll discuss it with Jason after we savour today’s win.” In related news, Haffner put a disappointing National Stakes performance behind him with a decisive victory 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 racing keenly 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 away from the field while First Law and Quest For Stars could not match his acceleration. The well‑backed 7‑4 favourite held on to win by one and a quarter lengths, giving O’Brien a record eighth Royal Lodge victory and Ryan Moore his first in the race.
Karl Burke’s Burning Up finished strongly to secure second place for the colours of last year’s winner, Bow Echo. O’Brien praised the colt’s adaptability: “The ground turned soft at the Curragh on the final day, which didn’t suit him, but he’ll be a lovely middle‑distance horse next season – a potential French Derby contender.
He’ll handle the Guineas distance, can stay a mile and a quarter and perhaps even further. He’s a beautiful mover; the soft ground caught us off guard, but he stayed in control throughout.
Ryan gave him a clean, uncomplicated ride – it was a simple, effective performance.” He added that Haffner’s only blemish was the National Stakes, attributing it to the unsuitable ground: “His form is top‑class; the only dip was due to the ground. He’ll take a mile easily next year and could step up in trip later on.” Paddy Power have offered Haffner a 4‑1 price for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Keeneland next month, and O’Brien hinted that America could be the next destination for the Justify‑sired colt. “The United States is a very plausible target, especially with the likely good ground there. He’d relish a Breeders’ Cup round‑the‑world trip, and the mile would be straightforward for him.
We’ll see what the team decides,” O’Brien said. He continued, “America has always been on the agenda; the soft ground at the Curragh was a one‑off. He’s back on track now, and we’ll consider a Guineas campaign next year before possibly stepping up in distance later.” Both trainers emphasized the importance of enjoying the present success while planning future campaigns.
The victories of Orthodox and Haffner underscore the depth of talent in the current juvenile cohort and set the stage for exciting spring and summer campaigns, whether in Britain, France, or across the Atlantic. Fans can stay updated with the latest racing news, interviews, and features on their mobile devices, ensuring they never miss a story from the world of thoroughbred racing.