Paddington continues remarkable rise with impressive Coral-Eclipse win
The rapid rise of the remarkable Paddington (Siyouni) hit new heights yesterday when he defeated a high-class field to take out Sandown’s Coral-Eclipse Stakes (Gr 1, 1m) in a style which left connections of his opponents throwing around superlatives, while those closest to the three-year-old warned the best is yet to come.
A winner of a Naas handicap off a mark of 97 on his seasonal return at the back end of March, the son of Siyouni (Pivotal) was yesterday winning his third elite-level race in less than six weeks, and in doing so equalled the exploits of some of the best horses to race in Europe over the last 50 years.
As well as joining the likes of Mill Reef (Never Bend), Brigadier Gerard (Queen’s Hussar), Dancing Brave (Lyphard) and Sea The Stars (Cape Cross) on the illustrious Eclipse roll of honour, Paddington became the first horse since Sadler’s Wells (Northern Dancer) in 1984 to complete the Irish 2,000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1m) – Eclipse double, and the first since the iron horse – Giant’s Causeway (Storm Cat) – in 2000 to back up in Sandown’s feature having taken out Royal Ascot’s St James’s Palace Stakes (Gr 1, 1m) on his previous outing.
In winning by a comfortable half-length from arguably the best filly in Europe, Emily Upjohn (Sea The Stars), Paddington provided his trainer Aidan O’Brien with a record-extending seventh win in the Eclipse, and left the normally reserved master of his trade beaming from ear to ear.
Despite there being just four runners, Jamie Spencer on board West Wind Blows (Teofilo) ensured there was a good gallop from the outset. Stalked throughout by Ryan Moore on board Paddington, Spencer’s mount was soon outclassed when the big guns came to challenge two furlongs from home.
The showdown onlookers wanted to see was on, and while many believed Emily Upjohn’s greater stamina would see her overcome the young upstart who was racing beyond a mile for the first time, she was simply unable to match him stride for stride up the Sandown hill as the front two pulled some six lengths clear of the remainder.
Proving the strength of the form, and putting it into some perspective for Australian racing fans, the last horse home, who was outclassed here in being beaten almost nine lengths, was none other than two-time Sydney Group 1 winner Dubai Honour (Pride Of Dubai).
“I don’t think we saw the best of my horse,” said Moore, himself now a three-time winner of the Eclipse. “He brought me there very comfortably and I felt he was kind of vulnerable.
“He has got an awful lot of pace and a lot of gears. He is all class really.
“He is a tough horse. We had very little doubt about the trip. He could [get further] as he is a very, very good horse.
“This is a top-class colt and we will enjoy him. This horse is very good.”
While Moore said he believed that the six-time winner could race over further still – he was cut to around 8-1 for October’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Gr 1, 2400m) following yesterday’s exploits – O’Brien hinted that a return to a mile could be on the cards next.
“He is getting quicker,” the all-conquering trainer said. “He is hitting the gates quicker and he is travelling very easily through his races.
“He was heavier today than at Ascot which is unusual, so he is getting into a very quick horse. He is a very, very good horse.”
When pressed on future targets, O’Brien responded: “I would imagine that they [owners Coolmore, Westerberg and Brant] will look at the Sussex [Stakes] but that is not in stone.”
While it may not be certain yet, the bookies think Paddington will be heading to Goodwood on August 2 – and tough to beat – he is now the evens favourite for the Sussex Stakes.
John Gosden, who trains the runner-up in partnership with his son Thady, said “it was a superb race and they are top, top horses” before confirming the Arc as the number one target for Emily Upjohn.
William Buick, who replaced the banned Frankie Dettori on board the three-time Group 1 winner, added “she has run an absolute blinder,” while Tom Marquand, who once again rode Dubai Honour, summed up the thoughts of many: “The front two are really, really good.”