Paddington triumphs over Emily Upjohn in a thrilling battle under the Eclipse
Sensational Victory for Paddington in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown
In a race filled with intrigue and excitement, Aidan O’Brien’s talented colt, Paddington, emerged victorious in a thrilling renewal of the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown. The victory marked O’Brien’s seventh win in this prestigious contest, solidifying his position as one of the most successful trainers in its history.
Paddington began his season by competing against handicappers but quickly proved his class by triumphing in both the Irish Guineas and St James’s Palace Stakes. This step up to ten furlongs was uncharted territory for him, but jockey Ryan Moore showed no doubts about his mount’s stamina.
Paddington showcased his solid temperament by positioning himself perfectly throughout the race. After breaking smartly from the stalls, he found himself leading early on while being closely pursued by West Wind Blows and Jamie Spencer. Spencer attempted to gain an advantage on the turn into the straight but couldn’t shake off Paddington.
Ryan Moore then made a decisive move aboard Paddington and took control of the race. However, Emily Upjohn refused to back down and kept pushing until late in the contest when it seemed her superior stamina might prevail. But she fell just short of catching her younger rival who had a weight advantage thanks to receiving seven pounds.
O’Brien admitted having reservations before the race despite sending off Paddington as an overwhelming favorite. He acknowledged that anything can happen in racing and credited Ryan Moore’s confidence in the colt’s abilities. Interestingly, Moore didn’t need to resort to his whip during the race.
O’Brien praised Emily Upjohn for her valiant effort and recognized her as a worthy adversary. He explained that Paddington had taken the lead slightly earlier than intended but felt it was the right decision given his pace and rhythm.
Future Plans for Paddington
Paddington could now drop back to a mile for the Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood on August 2. O’Brien revealed that this was initially the plan after Ascot, but they decided to test him over ten furlongs due to his impressive form and positive feedback from jockey Ryan Moore.
The trainer expressed optimism about Paddington’s chances at Goodwood, but emphasized waiting until closer to the race before making any final decisions.