Orthodox recovered from his disappointing run in the Prix Morny and proved his class at the highest level for the first time in the Tattersalls Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket. The race unfolded with Force Noir taking the early lead, setting a brisk tempo at the front of the field.
Rossa Ryan, aboard Orthodox, quickly asserted his presence, challenging the pace and urging the Norfolk Stakes winner into action as they approached the three‑furlong marker. The Clive Cox‑trained colt, sent off at 7‑2, was driven hard all the way to the finish by Robson De Aguiar's Force Noir, who was priced at generous odds. In a thrilling finish, Orthodox edged the rival by a neck, while the race favourite Inner City Blues never managed to get into contention.
Cox was elated by the result, noting that the team had always believed in the horse’s ability. "We always had confidence in him and it was just a question of whether he would handle the track with the quicker ground – a bonus for this time of year. Sometimes the ground isn’t as fast as today, and I’m thrilled he has shown what we all see at home. He’s special in the mornings and the afternoons, tough and very capable.
It was a huge team effort to get him here and I’m over the moon," he said. He praised jockey Rossa Ryan’s ride, adding, "I think he got the most out of the track and Rossa was supreme the way he guided him through the dip and then let him sail. It was a superb ride and I’m thrilled. Rossa knows exactly what he’s riding and what he’s up against." This victory marked Cox’s third Middle Park win, joining the likes of Reckless Abandon (2012) and Supremacy (2020), both owned by Jason Goddard, the same proprietor of Orthodox.
Looking ahead, the colt’s connections have already placed a 12‑1 bet with Ladbrokes and Coral on him for next year’s Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, indicating that his future will likely remain in the sprint division where Cox excels. There is also talk of a possible trip to the United States for the Breeders’ Cup, which Cox said could be on the agenda. "I would be hugely excited by this fellow. I know his family well and his aunt won the Queen Mary for us (Heartache).
He’s blessed with the ability to race over five or six furlongs, and today he proved he can handle six. He had the gear to win comfortably over five at Ascot and he’s a very talented sprinter and a joy to have," Cox explained. He continued, "It’s a joy to have these horses and it means the world. He could go to the Breeders’ Cup and we’ll see how he comes back and discuss it with Jason.
It’s a possibility, but we have to enjoy today first and then discuss the future over the next few days." 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, trained by O’Brien, 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 won by one and a quarter lengths, giving O’Brien a record eighth Royal Lodge win and providing Ryan Moore with his first in the event. Karl Burke’s Burning Up finished second, representing the colours of last year’s winner Bow Echo.
O’Brien praised the colt’s adaptability, saying, "The ground got soft at the Curragh the last day which didn’t suit him. He’s going to be a lovely middle‑distance horse next year, a French Derby‑type. He’ll get the Guineas trip on his ear, will stay a mile and a quarter and could even go further, so I’m delighted. He’s a good mover and we didn’t expect the ground to be as soft as it was at the Curragh.
He’s a beautiful mover and we were happy to draw a line through that and he was always in control today. Ryan gave him a beautiful uncomplicated ride and it was very simple really." He added, "His form was different class really and his only blip was in the National Stakes. We knew that was because of the ground and we knew he would get the mile very easily.
He’s an Acomb winner and his form is so 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 America could be the next destination 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. America was always a possibility and the last day was a blip, but we had to come here today to make sure we knew exactly that it was and he’s got back on track. I think he could start in a Guineas next year and then we will see him stepping up in trip," O’Brien concluded.
These developments underscore the dynamic nature of the juvenile season, with promising youngsters like Orthodox and Haffner navigating setbacks, achieving redemption, and setting their sights on future targets both domestically and abroad. The racing community watches eagerly as trainers, owners, and jockeys plot the next chapters for these rising stars, balancing immediate ambitions with long‑term plans that could see them contesting prestigious Group 1 races across continents.