Classic winners and Classic contenders set up captivating rest of season

Hurricane Lane continued a superb month for Godolphin’s three-year-olds with a rousing victory in the G1 Irish Derby at the Curragh on Saturday, completing a notable Derby double in the process.

In edging out Lone Eagle in the final strides, Hurricane Lane became the third Godolphin winner of the Classic, emulating Balanchine and Jack Hobbs. He also franked the form of the G1 Derby at Epsom Downs at the start of June, when he finished third behind his stable-companion Adayar.

Both colts will be hoping for further G1 honours over the coming months. Adayar is due to test himself against top older opposition in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes next month.

Adayar’s performance in the Ascot showpiece will help determine plans for both himself and Hurricane Lane, with the St Leger and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe set to come under consideration for the Charlie Appleby-trained duo.

In North America, Maxfield racked up a second straight G2 victory at Churchill Downs with an imposing display in the Stephen Foster Stakes – a race won by Street Cry in 2002.

Following two injury-interrupted years, Maxfield has built up an impressive body of work during his four-year-old season. The Street Sense homebred’s latest success earned him an automatic place in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar later in the year.

More immediately, Maxfield could return to G1 company for the Whitney Stakes at Saratoga in August. The upstate New York course is also set to host a second Godolphin Breeders’ Cup Classic candidate in Belmont Stakes hero Essential Quality, who is pencilled in for the G1 Travers Stakes.

Another US-based star, Mystic Guide, is on course to make his first appearance since winning the G1 Dubai World Cup Sponsored By Emirates Airline this weekend at Belmont Park this Saturday, 3 July.

Victory in the G2 Suburban Stakes would coincidentally provide the four-year-old with a guaranteed spot in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.