By Tom Frary
Known for some time as “the first clash of the generations”, Sandown's G1 Coral-Eclipse proved the absolute epitome of that sentiment on Saturday as Paddington (GB) (Siyouni {Ire}–Modern Eagle {Ger}, by Montjeu {Ire}) mastered fellow TDN Rising Star Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) to do it for the Classic crop. Providing Aidan O'Brien with the outright historical record of seven renewals in the process, the heavily-supported 8-11 favourite got a lead from West Wind Blows (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) and proceeded to glide through his most demanding examination yet.
Moving to the front passing two out, the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas and G1 St James's Palace S. hero with his weight-for-age boon had first run on the G1 Coronation Cup winner who consented to put it up to her year-younger rival on the rise to the line. Ultimately, it was Ryan Moore in charge there with a half-length winning margin and another six back to West Wind Blows who completed a TDN Rising Star one-two-three.
Fears that this four-runner edition could result in a trappy, unsatisfactory pace scenario failed to be born out and this looked straightforward stuff. Surprisingly given that outcome, the jockey's post-race conclusion will only serve to dampen the spirits of the connections of the rest of Europe's elite. “It did go to plan, but at the same time I don't think we saw the best of my horse,” he warned.
“Tactics didn't play any part at all–he was just the best horse on the day,” Moore added. “He was in a good rhythm, travelled down to the two very easy and found plenty. I was vulnerable there in the middle of the track, but he was always doing enough and he's a legitimate high-class colt.”
🗣️ “She is very tough and game – but so is the winner.”@cdixon82 and @LydiaHislop dissect the @Coral-Eclipse in which Paddington denies Emily Upjohn in a truly epic duel ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/TpEDvGGpV1
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 8, 2023
Ensuring that the once-important Madrid H. is brought further back to its early prominence as a Classic pointer, Paddington is now only 15 weeks on from that key part of Naas's season curtain-raiser and he has already muscled his way into elevated territory. Insatiable in his progress, his equine ambition has continued to peak beyond whatever tests the Tetrarch, the Irish Guineas and Royal Ascot could offer but this represented an altogether different level.
West Wind Blows has proven on more than one occasion how dangerous he can be on the front end and was coming off a gallant second in the G2 Hardwicke S., while Emily Upjohn had been sensational in the G1 Coronation Cup and arrived a fresh filly at a track certain to suit. Tellingly, Paddington was instantly able to take more than two lengths out of his chief rival exiting the stalls as she proved tardy and the die was cast there and then. Heading up the centre of the track to the two pole, Paddington had total control with Ryan Moore notably quiet and his three colleagues all already animated in the saddle.
From there it was a case of deja vu as the second son of Siyouni to take this prize for Ballydoyle gave a more than passable impression of the 2021 hero St Mark's Basilica (Fr). Moore barely moved his whip hand and while the filly once again flashed her talent in pursuit and got to his girth, she never looked like getting any further along. “She was there from one and a half out and she didn't quit, but he's proved he's a very tough and durable horse,” a clearly energised Moore added of his third winner of the race that in 2007 acted as an accelerator of the appreciation of his talents as he steered his own course on Notnowcato (GB) (Inchinor {GB}). “He's turned up and given his best every time and come forward all year. I just think he's a real high-quality colt with lots of pace and gears and class and Aidan can keep backing him up. He could get further. We'll enjoy him.”
This made it a dozen Eclipses for Ballydoyle, with it all beginning in 1958 courtesy of Ballymoss (GB) for Dr Vincent O'Brien. The rest of the original master of Rosegreen's haul was made up of 3-year-old colts and Aidan has followed on that trend with some of the stable's finest in Giant's Causeway, Hawk Wing and the aforementioned St Mark's Basilica. While the sizeable weight-for-age concession this early in the year lends an indisputable edge to the Classic generation, they still have to possess the right material to deal with toughened and seasoned opponents.
Aidan O'Brien, who has now usurped the legendary figures of epochs past and present in Alec Taylor Jr and Sir Michael Stoute, has known for some time that Paddington was made of the right stuff but nonetheless admitted to a degree of wonder in the winner's rate of progress throughout the past fortnight. His ticket to Esher was apparently punched with a stunning final workout on the Ballydoyle gallops. “Seamus [Heffernan] rode him the other morning and he couldn't talk when he got off him–that's how aggressive and quick he has become ,” he explained. “When that happens to fellows that have ridden that many good horses, it takes you aback a little bit.”
“He is a serious horse and Ryan was very confident going out, but when you have an older filly like that they don't lie down,” O'Brien added. “We knew how good she was and didn't underestimate her in any way. Ryan said he got there a bit early, but he didn't want to break his rhythm and disappoint him and that was 100% the right thing to do. It would have been perfect for her, because she had a target to take her there but Ryan said he was surprised how easily he went through the race. I don't think he hit him at all.”
It is now a question of satiating the winner's appetite for competition and so inevitably Goodwood at the end of the month is on Paddington's agenda as he looks to follow the lead of the revered 'Iron Horse'. “There's a good chance he'll be back for the Sussex–that was the plan, but because he had thrived so much and John [Magnier] was so confident he'd get the trip he was here beforehand,” O'Brien said. “He is quicker than Giant's Causeway and his constitution is amazing–Giant always ran at the same weight, but this horse is getting heavier which is strange and unusual, but he is obviously turning into a very quick horse. He's a dream. Ryan's very excited about him.”
As Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) is poised on the verge of a possibly groundbreaking campaign, with Michael Tabor this week floating the idea of backing up the Derby winner from the King George in the Juddmonte International, the “lads” now have two colts with the potential to dominate the major summer prizes. O'Brien gave a heavy hint that the Rodin-Paddington bonanza has only just begun. “The big thing is the lads love their racing and that is rising above everything else now,” he stated. “They love going racing and thinking about those horses. It is becoming more of a love and a passion than it has ever been before. I can't tell you how passionate they are about the racing.”
John Gosden said of Emily Upjohn, “It was a proper match race and she's run a blinder giving him seven pounds, but this is obviously below her best trip. She's a big unit and stands 17′ 2 and was awkward out of the stalls, so you've got to remember she had to go nearly a length and a half to get level but she battled all the way. Lester Piggott always told me that the three-year-olds have the advantage in the Eclipse and the winner's a lovely horse and a real stallion prospect. If she's in good form, we'll look at the King George and her year-end target is the Arc.”
Ed Crisford said of West Wind Blows, “Jamie set nice, honest fractions and he ran his heart out. I think we will definitely be looking at international races with him. I think he could be very competitive in Canada, Australia, and Hong Kong.”
Pedigree Notes
Like stablemate and fellow luminary Little Big Bear, Paddington emerged from blue Wildenstein blood being a son of the strong-staying Listed Prix Belle de Nuit winner Modern Eagle (Ger) (Montjeu {Ire}). Her last known foal, he was bred and raised at Monceaux for the Wildensteins before achieving the joint-second-highest price of €420,000 at the 2021 Arqana October Sale. Modern Eagle, who also produced dual listed-placed Masterpiece (Fr) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), is a daughter of the G1 Prix de Diane runner-up Millionaia (Ire) (Peintre Celebre) and a half to the Listed Vintage Tipple S. winner and G3 Loughbrown S.-placed Mighty Blue (Fr) by Montjeu's son Authorized (Ire).
Millionaia is a half to Ballydoyle's former G1 Dewhurst S. runner-up Fencing Master (GB) (Oratorio {Ire}) and is a daughter of the G1 Prix Saint-Alary heroine Moonlight Dance (Alysheba), who is also the second dam of the G2 Prix du Conseil de Paris scorer Ming Dynasty (Fr) (King's Best). The fourth dam Madelia (Fr) (Caro) captured the Diane as well as the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and Prix Saint-Alary, while those looking for stamina clues with a possible Arc bid in mind have plenty of positive pointers including the family's G1 Melbourne Cup runner-up Heartbreak City (Fr) (Lando {Ger}).
Saturday, Sandown, Britain
CORAL-ECLIPSE-G1, £750,000, Sandown, 7-8, 3yo/up, 9f 209yT, 2:05.16, gd.
1–PADDINGTON (GB), 125, c, 3, by Siyouni (Fr)
1st Dam: Modern Eagle (Ger) (SW-Fr), by Montjeu (Ire)
2nd Dam: Millionaia (Ire), by Peintre Celebre
3rd Dam: Moonlight Dance, by Alysheba
TDN Rising Star. (€420,000 Ylg '21 ARQDOY). O-Tabor/Smith/Magnier/Westerberg/Brant; B-Dayton Investments Ltd (GB); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. £425,325. Lifetime Record: G1SW-Ire, 7-6-0-0, $1,357,748. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Emily Upjohn (GB), 132, f, 4, Sea The Stars (Ire)–Hidden Brief (GB), by Barathea (Ire). TDN Rising Star. (60,000gns Ylg '20 TATOCT). O-Lloyd Webber, Tactful Finance, S Roden; B-Lordship Stud & Sunderland Holding Inc (GB); T-John & Thady Gosden. £161,250.
3–West Wind Blows (Ire), 135, g, 4, Teofilo (Ire)–West Wind (GB), by Machiavellian.
1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. TDN Rising Star. O-Mr Abdulla Al Mansoori; B-Godolphin (IRE); T-Simon & Ed Crisford. £80,700.
Margins: HF, 6, 2. Odds: 0.73, 2.13, 12.00.
Also Ran: Dubai Honour (Ire).
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