Orthodox rebounded from his disappointing loss in the Prix Morny by stepping up to the highest level of competition for the first time in the Tattersalls Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket, delivering a performance that highlighted his resilience and class. The race unfolded with Force Noir taking charge early, establishing a brisk tempo at the front of the field.
However, Rossa Ryan, aboard Orthodox, soon made his presence felt, challenging the early leader and urging the Norfolk Stakes winner into action as they approached the three‑furlong point. The Clive Cox‑trained colt, sent out at 7‑2 odds, was relentlessly pressed by Robson De Aguiar’s Force Noir, a long‑shot that stayed on strongly into the final furlong. In a thrilling finish, Orthodox managed to edge his rival by a neck, while the race favourite, Inner City Blues, never managed to get into contention. The narrow margin underscored the high‑class nature of the contest and cemented Orthodox’s return to winning ways after his earlier setback at Royal Ascot.
Cox was visibly elated after the victory, explaining, "We always believed in him; the question was whether he could handle the firmer ground typical of this time of year. Sometimes the going isn’t as quick as it was today, but I’m thrilled he showed what we see in training – he’s special both in the mornings and 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 praised jockey Rossa Ryan for his masterful ride, noting, "Rossa steered him perfectly through the dip and then let him unleash his speed.
It was a superb ride; Rossa knows his horse inside out and knows exactly what he’s up against." This win marked the third Middle Park triumph for Cox, who previously secured the race with Reckless Abandon in 2012 and Supremacy in 2020, both owned by Jason Goddard, the same proprietor of Orthodox. Looking ahead, Cox hinted that Orthodox’s future lies firmly in sprint distances, 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, indicating that the connections are already eyeing further Group‑level targets. Before setting sights on the Commonwealth Cup, the team is also contemplating a transatlantic campaign to the Breeders’ Cup.
Cox said, "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 handle six. He has the gear to win at five furlongs at Ascot and is a very talented sprinter, a joy to have in the stable.
A trip to the Breeders’ Cup is on the table; we’ll discuss it with Jason after we enjoy today’s win. It’s a possibility, but we’ll decide in the coming days." In other news, Aidan O’Brien’s colt Haffner rebounded from a lacklustre showing in the National Stakes by delivering a decisive victory in the Tattersalls Online Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket. The race featured a contested early pace between Charlie Appleby’s Quest For Stars and First Law, with the latter positioned on the far side of the course alongside Iwasjustsaying. Haffner, trained by O’Brien, made his move a furlong and a half from the finish, pulling away from the field while his rivals struggled to match his acceleration.
The well‑backed 7‑4 favourite won by a length and a quarter, granting O’Brien a record eighth Royal Lodge win and giving jockey Ryan Moore his first success in the event. Karl Burke’s Burning Up held on for second place, representing the colours of last year’s winner Bow Echo. O’Brien praised the colt’s adaptability, stating, "The ground softened at the Curragh the previous day, which didn’t suit him. He’s destined to be a lovely middle‑distance horse next season, a potential French Derby contender.
He’ll stay a mile and a quarter and could even go further. He’s a beautiful mover; despite the soft ground, he stayed in control today. Ryan gave him a simple, clean ride, and his form is of a different class. The only blemish was the National Stakes, which we attribute to the ground.
He’ll take the mile easily and his pedigree is strong – an Acomb winner with a solid record." Paddy Power have already offered Haffner 4‑1 odds 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 a very plausible next step, where he’ll get good ground. He’d love the Breeders’ Cup; the mile would be easy for him. We’ll see what the connections decide.
The soft ground at the Curragh was a one‑off, and today he’s back on track. He could target a Guineas next year and then step up in distance," O’Brien added. Both Orthodox and Haffner exemplify the depth of talent in this generation of thoroughbreds, and their connections are already mapping out ambitious campaigns that could see them compete on the world stage. The upcoming months promise further excitement as trainers, owners, and jockeys weigh options ranging from domestic Group races to prestigious international events like the Breeders’ Cup.
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