The St James’s Palace Stakes already promised a mouthwatering rematch between Bow Echo and Gstaad at Royal Ascot. Aidan O’Brien added further fuel to the fire on Tuesday though, suggesting Puerto Rico may contest the race as well.
The 1m contest is exclusive to three-year-olds and is one of three Group 1s on the Tuesday at Royal Ascot. It was won in spectacular style in 2025 by Field Of Gold, beaten at Newmarket before vanquishing his rivals in the Irish 2000 Guineas and at Ascot.
O’Brien will be hoping Gstaad could take a similar path this season. He is entered in the Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh. So is Puerto Rico, though, with both therefore in position to emulate the Gosden grey.
Bow Echo will be a fearsome opponent once again, however, George Boughey has already confirmed the St James’s Palace Stakes is next for his charge. At this stage, connections’ plans for the son of Night Of Thunder revolve around dominating the 1m division.
“We’ll have a proper race” – O’Brien
Puerto Rico was disappointing on his return in the French 2000 Guineas. He was sent off the odds-on favourite, but could only finish fourth behind Rayif. He had previously beaten Francis-Henri Graffard’s runner as a two-year-old.
The three-year-old’s progression had previously been linear. He belatedly got off the mark at the sixth attempt only to then secure a hat-trick of wins, including a Group 1 to conclude his juvenile season.
The setback of his French Classic fourth is not seen as a huge issue by O’Brien though. He suggested his preparation may have gone slightly against him.
“I prepared him for Newmarket,” O’Brien said, via Racing TV. “Those big horses, when you prepare them like that, he’s just gone six days too far, but he’ll be fine and he’ll come back.
“He came out of it very well. I think what is going to happen is him, Gstaad and hopefully the English Guineas winner are all going to meet in the St James’s Palace Stakes and then we’ll have a proper race.
“Then we’ll see who the best three-year-old is.”
O’Brien’s words suggest a throwing down of the gauntlet. However, he has tremendous admiration for Bow Echo and sympathises with the pressure George Boughey could be under.
“I’m hoping they all get together at Ascot. I can imagine the pressure George feels. We were there at one time.”
The St James’s Palace Stakes takes place at 4.20pm on Tuesday 16 June.