“THE IRON HORSE” PADDINGTON

Paddington (Siyouni-Modern Eagle/Montjeu) is undoubtedly the star of the European racing season. This 3-year-old has won all 5 races it participated in over the past 3 months, including 4 G1 races and a Listed race. The fact that it faced older rivals and emerged victorious in its last two races adds even more value to its success.

Paddington concluded the previous season with a maiden victory at Curragh and began the new season by winning a handicap race at Naas. Thus, it extended its unbeaten streak to 7 races. In the 2023 season, it secured victories in the following order: G1 Irish 2000 Guineas, G1 St James's Palace Stakes, G1 Eclipse Stakes, and shortly before this issue went to print, G1 Sussex Stakes.

Starting its racing career with 1400-meter races, Paddington gradually moved up to 1600-meter races and, for the first time in this race, competed at 2000-meter. Ridden by Ryan Moore, the horse battled against G1 Coronation Cup winner Emily Upjohn (Sea The Stars-Hidden Brief/Barathea) and managed to win by half a length. Well behind them, West Wind Blows ( Teofilo-West Wind/Machiavellian) and Dubai Honor (Pride of Dubai-Mondelice/Montjeu) shared the other positions of the frame. Paddington clocked 2:05.16.

Trainer Aidan O'Brien, the maestro of Ballydoyle, seems to have found a new "Iron Horse." This famous trainer secured his 7th victory in this race, 23 years after the real "Iron Horse," Giant's Causeway (Storm Cat-Mariah's Storm/Rahy), achieved his first. In the same period of 2000, Giant's Causeway finished 2nd in the British and Irisih 2000 Guineas before winning 5 consecutive G1 races: St James's Palace Stakes, Eclipse Stakes, Sussex Stakes, International Stakes, and Irish Champion Stakes. Paddington appears to be following in his footsteps, particularly aiming for the International Stakes.