Group 1 winners Whistlejacket and Lake Victoria look set to be the main players from a formidable juvenile squad for Aidan O'Brien on Saturday at Newmarket, where the Juddmonte-sponsored Middle Park and Cheveley Park Stakes headline the card.
Whistlejacket, the even-money favourite with Paddy Power for the Middle Park, has won three of his six starts and showed his durability when contesting the Prix Morny at Deauville eight days after finishing runner-up behind Babouche in the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh. He shrugged off the quick turnaround by coming home three-quarters of a length in front of Rashabar to land his first Group 1.
O'Brien is responsible for five of the 12 Middle Park entries, but looks likely to rely on Ides Of March as back-up to Whistlejacket.
Ides Of March has won his last two starts in impressive fashion, getting off the mark when landing a strong Curragh maiden by three lengths last month, before making light work of his rivals in the Group 3 Round Tower Stakes three weeks later.
Henri Matisse, who finished runner-up in the National Stakes on Irish Champions Festival weekend, was also left in contention but could wait for the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Longchamp next month.
"The Middle Park is the plan for Whistlejacket," said O'Brien. "We were delighted with him in the Prix Morny and he's been in good form since. Ides Of March could run with him. It looks like Henri Matisse might go to France for the Lagardere, but we'll see."
The daughter of Frankel is unbeaten in three starts over seven furlongs but could drop back in trip to set up a clash against fellow unbeaten Group 1 winner Babouche from the Ger Lyons stable.
O'Brien added: "We were thinking of the Cheveley Park for Lake Victoria before the Moyglare and it's very possible she could run. Before she ran at the Curragh we didn't think she would have any problem going down to six furlongs."
O'Brien's Horses Dominate Entries
O'Brien's horses are not only expected to compete in the Middle Park and Cheveley Park, but they also dominate the entries for the Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes, with the Ballydoyle handler responsible for 10 of 18 remaining contenders. Acapulco Bay is the shortest priced.
Other Notable Contenders
While O'Brien's horses are the main draw, other contenders are worth keeping an eye on.
Charlie Fellowes will justifiably have high hopes for his Ascendant Stakes winner Luther in the one-mile Group Two, while Ralph Beckett’s Convivial Maiden scorer Angelo Buonarroti is another horse worthy of respect in what promises to be an informative event.
The Cheveley Park Stakes: A Look Ahead
The Cheveley Park Stakes is a Group 1 race for two-year-old fillies, and it's often seen as a good indicator of future success in the 1000 Guineas. Last year's winner, Porta Fortuna, went on to win three Group 1 races this season, including the Coronation Stakes, Falmouth Stakes, and Matron Stakes.
The 2024 Cheveley Park Stakes is shaping up to be a thrilling contest, with a number of top-class fillies vying for the win. Babouche, the unbeaten filly trained by Ger Lyons, is the current favourite. She's already beaten Whistlejacket in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes, and she'll be looking to continue her winning streak at Newmarket. But she'll face stiff competition from Lake Victoria, who could be set to make a quick reappearance after her impressive win in the Moyglare Stud Stakes.
The Cheveley Park Stakes is sure to be a highlight of Newmarket's five-day fixture. With so many top-class horses in the field, it's a race that's not to be missed.
Looking Ahead: Babouche Leads the Charge
With a hat-trick of wins under her belt, including a Group One victory over the O’Brien-trained Whistlejacket in the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh, Babouche is the clear favorite for the Cheveley Park Stakes. She’s since been freshened up with 49 days off ahead of Saturday’s race and the best horse racing betting sites in the UK are taking no chances on Babouche, making her the clear favorite in the market.
The Cheveley Park Stakes is run over 6f and is often referred to as a decent guide for next season’s 1000 Guineas. While the last horse to win both races was the Criquette Head-Maarek-trained Special Duty in 2009, last year’s Cheveley Park Stakes winner Porta Fortuna went close to ending this run, after finishing a close neck runner-up in this season’s 1000 Guineas at Newmarket in May.
A History of Irish Success
Despite being run in the UK, the Cheveley Park Stakes has been a happy hunting ground for the Irish in recent years, winning the pot six times since 2016. During this eight year spell, only trainers Andrew Balding (Alcohol Free 2020) and Ralph Beckett (2022) have spoilt the Irish domination. Aidan O'Brien is the equal winning-most trainer in the Cheveley Park with four wins. He currently shares the spoils with Alec Taylor Jr and French trainer Criquette Head-Maarek, but you feel it won’t be long before he’s leading the way on his own.
With a strong Irish contingent expected this year, the UK handlers might have to wait another year to try and add another success in this Group One.
Cheveley Park: A Ticket to America?
Last year’s Cheveley Park Stakes winner Porta Fortuna jetted off to America after landing the race – running in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at the start of November. The filly was only beaten 1/2 a length that day on what was her first run over a mile.
So, all eyes will be on where the winner of the 2024 Cheveley Park Stakes goes next. With a trip to the US sure to on the radar for connections, the Cheveley Park Stakes is not only a prestigious race in its own right, but it could also be a stepping stone to even greater things for the winning horse.
