Newmarket juvenile racing takes centre stage on Saturday 26 September, with three Group races sponsored by Tattersalls providing a major afternoon of two-year-old action on the Rowley Mile.
The Tattersalls Online Royal Lodge Stakes, Tattersalls Sceptre Sessions Cheveley Park Stakes and Tattersalls Middle Park Stakes have attracted a host of promising youngsters, with several runners already boasting Group-race success.
The afternoon begins with the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes over a mile, where seven colts will line up.
Karl Burke’s Burning Up arrives unbeaten after victories at Haydock and faces his strongest test yet. Charlie Appleby saddles two for Godolphin in First Law and Quest For Stars.
First Law has won both starts, most recently landing the Listed Bow Echo Ascendant Stakes, while Quest For Stars began his career with three consecutive victories before finishing third in the Group 1 Golden Fleece Stakes at Leopardstown.
They will renew rivalry with Rocket Boy, who finished second to First Law in the Ascendant Stakes. Trained by Marco Botti, the son of Too Darn Hot is expected to appreciate a return to better ground.
“I thought he ran well despite the very soft ground, but there’s no doubt he prefers a better surface,” said Botti. “His best form has been on good ground, and good to firm would probably be ideal.”
Andrew Balding’s Quicken Away, a Frankel colt who won at Goodwood on his latest start, also steps up in grade, while Aidan O’Brien’s Haffnerbrings Group 3-winning form after landing the Tattersalls Acomb Stakes. Charlie Johnston’s Iwasjustsaying completes the field.
Cheveley Park rematch
The Group 1 Tattersalls Sceptre Sessions Cheveley Park Stakes promises another fascinating clash, with six fillies declared for the six-furlong contest.
Aidan O’Brien’s Sun Goddess has won five of her six starts and is seeking a third Group 1 victory. Her only defeat came in the Group 3 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot, where Saturday’s rival Libertango finished ahead of her.
George Boughey’s Libertango has since added the Group 2 Lowther Stakes to her record and arrives at Newmarket in strong form.
“She’s basically had a faultless prep from the Lowther to Newmarket,” said Boughey. “Her work last week was really encouraging, and she goes there as well as we could possibly have her.”
Libertango will renew rivalry with Senorita Bonita, who defeated her in the Group 2 Duchess of Cambridge Stakes before producing a four-length victory in the Group 1 Prix Morny.
The Simon and Ed Crisford-trained filly has won three of her four starts, with jockey Oisin Murphy describing her as a “quality filly” and saying she is “talented to say the least”.
Always An Angel also returns after finishing third behind Senorita Bonita and Libertango in the Duchess of Cambridge. Joseph O’Brien’s filly subsequently won at Listed level.
Completing the field are Andrew Balding’s Moonrise, a dual Group 3 winner, and Aidan O’Brien’s Listed-placed Snowing.
Middle Park finale
The afternoon concludes with the Group 1 Tattersalls Middle Park Stakes, where seven colts will contest six furlongs.
Charlie Appleby’s unbeaten Inner City Blues arrives following victories on both starts, most recently landing the Group 2 July Stakes at Newmarket.
Orthodox, trained by Clive Cox, brings Group 2-winning form after his three-and-a-half-length victory in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot. He subsequently finished behind Senorita Bonita.
Ireland’s challenge includes Michael O’Callaghan’s unbeaten Push The Boat Out, who has won both starts and defeated Coventry Stakes winner Great Barrier Reef on his second appearance.
“He’s a very good horse and we’re looking forward to the race,” said O’Callaghan.
Aidan O’Brien fields Marco Polo and Confucius, while Amo Racing’s dual winner Force Noir and Adrian Keatley’s consistent Hell Of A Spincomplete the line-up.
Hell Of A Spin has finished in the first three on all four starts, including a runner-up finish in the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes at York.
With Group winners, unbeaten prospects and several horses already proven against one another, Saturday’s three contests offer a strong showcase of the season’s leading two-year-olds as the campaign enters its closing stages.
The next major sale at Tattersalls is Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, which takes place at Park Paddocks in Newmarket from 6-8 October.
