Gavin Cromwell and Keith Donoghue have done it again in the Czech Republic, landing the Velka Pardubicka for the second year running with Final Orders. That leads Monday’s racing news, along with a Cesarewitch for the history books and a big weekend for the trainers’ title rivals at Newmarket. Oisin Murphy has also opened up on losing the jockeys’ crown, with Champions Day at Ascot now just five days away.
Final Orders lands the Velka Pardubicka
Gavin Cromwell made history 12 months ago when Stumptown became the first Irish-trained winner of the Velka Pardubicka, and he followed up on Sunday with Final Orders. The ten-year-old already had two Cheltenham wins to his name last season, including the Cross Country Chase in March, and he coped admirably with the unique demands of the 4m2½f marathon at Pardubice. He beat 2024 winner Godfrey into second, with Angkor Wat third in the 136th running.
It was not plain sailing for Keith Donoghue, who lost an iron after a significant error at the notorious Taxis fence. “He did it well. I thought I was going to win easier turning in and it was a good battle,” he said. “I lost my stirrup but thankfully we stayed on.” Cromwell admitted, “I think the Taxis was a little bit of a moment and the loose horses were always a concern.” Not bad for a horse who cost 14,000gns seven years ago.
Alphonse Le Grande makes Cesarewitch history
Beylerbeyi was the one bidding to join Aaim To Prosper as a dual Cesarewitch winner, but it was Alphonse Le Grande, the 2024 winner, who did it instead. Tony Martin’s 18/1 shot was produced against the far rail by 5lb claimer Patrick McGettigan and got up by a short head from the heavily backed 4/1 favourite Sea Lantern. Last year’s runner-up Dawn Rising was third again, while Beylerbeyi was slowly away and never got into it in seventh.
Martin was serving a suspension when Alphonse Le Grande won two years ago, so this one was extra sweet. “I couldn’t believe it, I thought we had ruined our chances by running two weeks ago at the Curragh,” he said. “He’s such a tough little horse he pulled it out the bag.” Brian Ellison had predicted Sea Lantern would win, and he went agonisingly close. “He’s so laid-back, it’s gutting we got beat but we’re so pleased he ran so well,” said the trainer.
Balding and O’Brien trade blows at Newmarket
The trainers’ title rivals both had plenty to shout about on the Rowley Mile on Saturday. Aidan O’Brien struck in the feature, with Darkness Falls edging Desert Castle by a neck in a thrilling Dewhurst. Earlier, he took the Group 3 Zetland Stakes with the 10/11 favourite Drumbeat, who pulled five lengths clear under Ryan Moore.
Andrew Balding had a big say of his own, saddling the first three home in the Group 3 Darley Stakes. Humidity (15/8) won with his ears pricked under James Doyle, ahead of stablemates The Lost King and High Stock. The Group 3 Autumn Stakes went to Roger Varian’s Rock Montreal (11/8 favourite), who beat O’Brien’s Sergei Diaghilev by a neck under William Buick.
Oisin Murphy concedes the jockeys’ title race
Oisin Murphy has admitted he gave up chasing a sixth jockeys’ championship at the end of September. Billy Loughnane leads by nearly 30 winners and is set to be crowned champion for the first time at Ascot on Saturday. Murphy pointed to careless riding suspensions and trips to Ireland and France as key factors, and he credited his young rival’s discipline. “I’ve realised that I cannot win, and it’s an uncomfortable feeling, really,” he said on Racing HQ’s YouTube channel with Frankie Foster.
There have been bigger victories for Murphy this year, though, with five Group 1 winners on the board. “The biggest success is that I’ve been able to remain sober,” he said. He is not ready to settle for what he has, either: “I honestly don’t think five jockeys’ championships are enough.”
Champions Day at Ascot next Saturday
The flat season reaches its crescendo at Ascot on Saturday 17 October. Five Group 1s are on the card: the Long Distance Cup (13:30), the Sprint Stakes (14:05), the Fillies & Mares Stakes (14:40), the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (15:20) and the Champion Stakes (16:00).
Loughnane’s coronation is all but assured, but the trainers’ title race between Balding and O’Brien could still go down to the wire. Saturday’s prize money could settle it, and declarations later in the week will tell us plenty.
Racing today
The first and last race times below are from the live racecards when this draft was built. Check for late changes before publication.
Roscommon — first race: 13:30 · last race: 17:07
Worcester — first race: 13:37 · last race: 16:37
Musselburgh — first race: 13:47 · last race: 16:50
Yarmouth — first race: 13:54 · last race: 16:55
Kempton — first race: 16:12 · last race: 20:15
Newcastle — first race: 16:28 · last race: 20:30
[View today’s racecards] · [Latest non-runners] · [Today’s results]