Versatile Paddington powers to Sussex Stakes victory

We have a serious horse on our hands in Paddington.

Trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore, Paddington put on an exquisite performance to brighten up the Sussex Downs on a grey day to win a seventh straight race, this time in the Qatar Sussex Stakes.

Paddington adds a fourth straight Group 1 to his already sparkling CV, following wins in the Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas, St James’s Palace Stakes and the Coral-Eclipse, all in 2023.

With the going confirmed as Soft, the odds-on favourite oozed class in the race with his jockey, Moore looking to bag the stand-side rail to lead his four rivals. Inspiral, ridden by Frankie Dettori took the rail and tried to apply some pressure two furlongs out, but Moore was unmoved.

Patience was key and just a furlong-and-a-half out with Paddington cruising to a lead. The French raider, Facteur Cheval ran a blinder to finish second, despite being short of racing room. He stayed on well under Maxime Guyon to make it a worthwhile trip across the channel.

The victory continues a fine season for all connections who can have landed another Group 1 in 2023.

The victory gave trainer Aidan O’Brien a seventh victory in the race, and speaking to ITV he said: “He’s a very special horse, what can you say. We were a little worried about the ground, even though he’d won on heavy but not in that class of race. Ryan rode him for speed and held on, he was over the moon with him.

“He’s thriving and after easy race he’s getting heavier which is unusual – he’s three or four kilos heavier than he was the last day. He’s getting calm but getting quick too. He’s very special and exciting.”

Paddington goes to York? The son of Siyouni has been shortened to 9/4 for the Juddmonte International Stakes at York later this month.