Eclipse Stakes: Emily Upjohn and Paddington Among Quartet in Contention
Emily Upjohn and Paddington Set for Sandown Clash
In a thrilling spectacle at the Coral-Eclipse on Saturday, only four runners have been declared to compete. Among them are Emily Upjohn and Paddington, who seem destined for an exhilarating showdown.
Following her commanding victory in the Coronation Cup last month, Emily Upjohn, trained by John and Thady Gosden, will be ridden by William Buick this time as Frankie Dettori serves his suspension. The drop in distance shouldn’t deter her after triumphing over Sandown’s 10 furlongs previously. However, she faces a challenging task against the talented three-year-old colt, Paddington.
Paddington has enjoyed an extraordinary season under Aidan O’Brien’s tutelage with an undefeated record of four wins so far. His notable achievements include emerging victorious in the Irish 2,000 Guineas and outclassing Chaldean (the Newmarket Guineas winner) in a brilliant St James’s Palace Stakes win at Royal Ascot. Now he steps up to tackle a mile and a quarter distance for the first time – territory that O’Brien has conquered six times before.
The absence of Anmaat leaves us with two additional competitors completing this small but elite field: Dubai Honour from William Haggas’ stable and West Wind Blows representing Simon and Ed Crisford’s yard.
Dubai Honour boasts an impressive resume having secured back-to-back Group One victories in Australia and a third-place finish in the QEII Cup in Hong Kong. Haggas will be eager to see his charge perform on home turf.
On the other hand, West Wind Blows, a dual Group Three winner, arrives as the outsider of the quartet. Despite being runner-up to Hukum in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot last month, expectations aren’t high for this contender.
Eclipse Runners and Riders:
- Dubai Honour – Trainer: William Haggas / Jockey: Tom Marquand
- West Wind Blows – Trainer: Simon & Ed Crisford / Jockey: Jamie Spencer
- Emily Upjohn – Trainers: John & Thady Gosden / Jockey: William Buick
- Paddington – Trainer: Aidan O’Brien / Jockey: Ryan Moore