Modern Games proves a modern great with fifth G1 victory

Modern Games added an important G1 in the UK to his decorated profile with a power-packed display in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on Saturday, consolidating his position as one of Godolphin’s most successful horses.

Since winning the G3 Tattersalls Stakes in October, 2021, the Dubawi colt has predominantly raced abroad, picking up a French Classic victory and the Woodbine Mile in Canada in addition to Breeders’ Cup successes in the 2021 Juvenile Turf and 2022 Mile. Only Anamoe, Daylami and Fantastic Light have posted more G1 victories in the royal blue silks.

All roads will hopefully lead back to the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Santa Anita in November, where the Eclipse Award recipient will attempt to become only the second horse after Goldikova to win at the meeting three times. More immediately, Modern Games looks set to head to Royal Ascot next month for the Queen Anne Stakes.

In an up-and-down week for Godolphin, progressive juvenile Heuristic graduated to G3 honours at Morphettville on Saturday as he flew home up the inside rail to take the David Coles Stakes.

Creative Force sadly sustained a fatal injury during the 1895 Duke Of York Stakes on Wednesday. The 2021 British Champions Sprint winner was an admirably tough and consistent performer throughout his career, as well as a hugely popular part of the team at Moulton Paddocks.

In North America, First Mission missed out on Saturday’s Preakness Stakes with a leg injury. The form of his Lexington Stakes win was franked at the meeting with Arabian Lion easily taking a Stakes race. Pretty Mischievous and Wet Paint also saw their formlines boosted at Pimlico as Taxed and Hoosier Philly finished first and second in the G2 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes.

La Quemada posted an easy maiden win at Kyoto last month and the American Patriot colt returned to the same course for an impressive Stakes victory in the Melbourne Trophy on Saturday. Worlds Collide maintained an unbeaten start to his career on the same day at Tokyo with a dirt allowance race victory.

Paulele will soon join the Darley roster in Australia and the son of Dawn Approach will be hoping to sign off with a second G1 success in the Kingsford Smith Cup at Eagle Farm this Saturday.