Classic heroes shine on sensational Saturday

Godolphin enjoyed one of its best days ever last Saturday, with three G1 winners in Europe and North America including landmark victories in the Derby and the Belmont Stakes.

Adayar emulated Masar as he became the second homebred colt in the space of four years to capture the G1 Derby in the royal blue silks.Adam Kirby plotted an audacious route up the inside rail on the Frankel colt, who stormed clear for an authoritative win in the UK’s premier Classic.

Hurricane  Lane ran an excellent race to finish third behind Adayar, with One Ruler also emerging with credit in sixth.

Runner-up Mojo Star paid a compliment to a Godolphin horse as well, having finished second to Manobo in a Newbury maiden on his previous start.

Adayar now looks set for a trip to Ascot for the G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at the end of July. Success in that race could set up a tilt at the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in the autumn, or he may bid to become the first Derby winner to go on to victory in Doncaster’s G1 St Leger since Reference Point 34 years ago.

Essential Quality avenged his defeat in the Kentucky Derby as he became the first horse in the Godolphin colours to win a US Triple Crown race, getting the better of Hot Rod Charlie in a courageous duel for the G1 Belmont Stakes.

Having reaffirmed his position as the best of his generation in the “Test of the Champion”, Essential Quality looks set to drop back in trip for Saratoga’s G1 Travers Stakes at the end of August. The Tapit homebred could take in a prep-race at the same course beforehand in the G2 Jim Dandy Stakes.

Saratoga also beckons for Althiqa and Summer Romance, who served up a treat when finishing first and second in the G1 Just a Game Stakes on the Belmont Stakes undercard.

Both fillies look set to continue their US adventure as they head upstate for the G1 Diana Stakes in mid-July.

A superb weekend continued on Sunday with four winners in Japan including juvenile filly Breathlessly, from the first crop of American Patriot, who made an exciting debut at Chukyo.