Nations Pride and With The Moonlight secure Classic double at the Spa

Godolphin’s European raiding party enjoyed a sensational weekend at Saratoga, with Nations Pride and With The Moonlight both claiming major turf victories.

Nations Pride had already contested three “Derbys” this year – winning the Jumeirah version and coming home eighth in the original blue riband at Epsom Downs before filling the runner-up spot in the Belmont Derby.

The Teofilo colt made no mistake in Saturday’s G1 Saratoga Derby as he readily beat Annapolis, providing Charlie Appleby and William Buick with victory on their first visit to the upstate New York course.

With The Moonlight had also run at Epsom Downs and Belmont Park prior to Sunday’s G3 Saratoga Oaks, and the Frankel filly showed the benefit her US debut with an equally convincing display.

Both three-year-olds have more US targets on the horizon.Nations Pride looks set to tackle the Jockey Club Derby at Belmont Park in September, won by Yibir in 2021, while Keeneland’s Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup is on the agenda for With The Moonlight.

Matareya saw her winning streak ended as she finished third in the G1 Test Stakes at Saratoga on Saturday, with the Acorn Stakes scorer failing to produce her best on a track that was sealed after showers.

Elsewhere in North America on Saturday, Adventuring became the second Godolphin filly this year to complete a clean sweep of Black Type wins on turf, dirt and all-weather surfaces. The four-year-old emulated Soft Whisper with victory at Mountaineer Park in Saturday’s West Virginia Senate President's Cup, which was switched to dirt.

Botanik, who was narrowly denied in the 2020 G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud, scored on only his second Group-race appearance as he made all in Sunday’s G3 Prix de Reux at Deauville in France.

Two races of significant importance to Godolphin take place this weekend. Sulamani registered Godolphin’s 100th G1 success as he was awarded the 2003 Arlington Million in the stewards’ room.

Arlington may have closed last year but the Arlington Million lives on at Churchill Downs, with G1 Turf Classic scorer Santin a potential runner in Saturday’s contest.

Five Godolphin winners in Sunday’s Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville have included the outstanding Dubai Millennium, his brilliant son Dubawi and champion miler Ribchester.

2,000 Guineas and St James’s Palace Stakes hero Coroebus looks set to bid for a third consecutive G1 in the race after missing the Sussex Stakes, with Irish 2,000 Guineas victor Native Trail also under consideration for the mile showpiece.