Dewhurst result: Darkness Falls edges Desert Castle in a Newmarket thriller as O'Brien dreams of the Triple Crown

The clash of the juvenile titans lived up to its billing in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday, and it was Ballydoyle who came out on top. Darkness Falls (6/4) dug deep to hold off the 10/11 favourite Desert Castle by a neck, handing Aidan O’Brien a ninth win in the race and Ryan Moore another Group 1 on the Rowley Mile.

Moore kept things simple from the outside stall, settling the Camelot colt in second behind Jassas before sending him on narrowly two furlongs out. Desert Castle edged right under William Buick but loomed up to challenge over a furlong out, and for a few strides the favourite looked likely to get there. Darkness Falls had other ideas, though, running on strongly in the final 110 yards to keep his rival at bay. The winning time of 1m 22.47s was only fractionally outside U S Navy Flag’s race record.

Darkness Falls wins Dewhurst duel

This was a step into the unknown for the winner. Darkness Falls had won a mile maiden at the Curragh by seven lengths and then the Golden Fleece over nine furlongs at Leopardstown, and he had been looking more of a Derby type. Dropping back to 7f against a colt of Desert Castle’s speed was a big ask, but he answered every question and now heads the 2,000 Guineas market.

“We’ve always loved him and he’s always had a lot of class,” said O’Brien. “Ryan gave him a brilliant ride and I’m so grateful to win this for everyone, he’s very exciting. We came here to give him the experience with a view to the Guineas and we were always going to find out plenty.” The Ballydoyle maestro is already thinking big: “When they have as much class as he has they can do anything and the Triple Crown is the dream. If everything goes well we’ll start at the Guineas and see what will happen after that.”

Moore was equally taken with the colt. “He’s shown he has the speed and the ability to handle Newmarket, so he’s looking like he could be a Guineas horse now,” he said, adding that he is “very straightforward and well-mannered, he just wants to please you”.

Desert Castle loses nothing in defeat

Desert Castle arrived unbeaten in two starts, including the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster, and he lost little in defeat. Charlie Appleby was far from downbeat. “I’ve always felt this horse was a ‘next year horse’ and he’s a big, scopey horse with some more maturing to do,” he said. “We got to the winner, but just couldn’t get past. He’s come forward and mentally, he’s growing up.”

Appleby is already relishing round two next spring. “I see no reason why we wouldn’t be having a rematch with the winner here in the spring,” he said. “We’ll see then who comes out best.” On this evidence, the 2,000 Guineas could be a cracker.

O’Brien’s second string Great Barrier Reef (15/2) was two lengths further back in third under Wayne Lordan. He took a keen hold and was denied a clear run over a furlong out, so he can be marked up a touch. Andrew Balding’s 50/1 shot Gentle Hurricane was fourth, with Appleby’s second string Jassas fifth.