A hell for leather running of the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown was won by Constitution River. Aidan O’Brien‘s charge backed up his French Derby win in style under Ryan Moore. His jockey was reported to have been very impressed by O’Brien.
Here is today’s racing news round-up to begin the week.
Coral-Eclipse: Constitution River display leads to Moore superlatives
The Group 1 Coral-Eclipse went the way of an Aidan O’Brien-trained three-year-old once again. Following in the footsteps of stablemates Paddington, City Of Troy and Delacroix, Constitution River won impressively under Ryan Moore. The son of Wootton Bassett led home an O’Brien one-two-three, with son Donnacha’s A Boy Named Susie in second, and stablemate Hawk Mountain in third. A quick pace led to main market danger Gethin disappointing down the field. (RTE)
O’Brien is used to handing out superlatives, but he reported that Moore was very impressed in the saddle after Sandown. The Ballydoyle trainer was quoted as saying that “Ryan has said he is not sure he has ridden a better horse.” It was a fourth straight win in the contest for an O’Brien member of the Classic generation, all ridden by Moore. That makes Moore’s words all the more meaningful though given what Paddington, City Of Troy and Delacroix went on to achieve. (Racing TV)
Rumstar defends Charge crown
Earlier on the Sandown card, Rumstar defended his title in the Group 3 Coral Charge. The 5f contest was meant to see a bounce back to form of favourite Asfoora. However, the Australian mare once again disappointed in finishing last as Jonathan Portman’s stable star stole the show. He gamely got past front-runner Luna A Inbhir Nis to win for a second year in a row. (At The Races)
Calandagan another back-to-back winner in Grand Prix
One of Europe’s flat racing protagonists got his mojo back on Sunday. Calandagan, who had flopped in the Coronation Cup at Epsom, came from last to first to win yet another Group 1. It was the five-year-old’s sixth top level prize and arrived at the scene of his first Group 1 victory a year ago. British raiders Eydon and Prince Of Arras disappointed, as well as 2025 Derby hero Lambourn, beat odds-on favourite Calandagan still had to work hard to defeat Andre Fabre’s Cualificar. (Racing Post)
13 confirmed for July Cup
A star-studded line-up is in the offing for the Group 1 July Cup at Newmarket on Saturday. The race was won in a massive 66/1 shock by No Half Measures a year ago. However, recent Group 1 winners Almeraq, Mission Central and Venetian Sun have all been confirmed for the 6f race. As well as that trio, the Japanese-trained Satono Reve, denied on the line by Almeraq at Royal Ascot, features among the baker’s dozen, while Division and the progressive Wokingham winner Double Rush are other notable runners. (Racing Post)