Paddington (11-5) powered home to come out on top in the battle of the 2,000 Guineas heroes with a fine victory in the St James’s Palace Stakes on the opening day of Royal Ascot 2023.
Aidan O’Brien’s Irish 2,000 Guineas winner added a second Group One success, under Ryan Moore, to his Classic victory in his homeland, scoring in style by three-and-three-quarters-of-a-length from Newmarket hero Chaldean (13-8 favourite). After running out a fine winner of the Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh last month, beating stable-mate Cairo by a comfortable two lengths, the son of Siyouni took on English 2,000 Guineas scorer Chaldean, under Frankie Dettori, over the round course at Ascot. The Italian jockey, who is riding at his final Royal Ascot ahead of his impending retirement at the end of the year, tried to make all on the Andrew Balding-trained son of Frankel. But it was O'Brien's three-year-old who came home best to give the trainer a record-extending ninth victory in the Group One feature but a first since Circus Maximus four years ago. Paddington stalked the leader, sitting in fourth under Moore, for much of the way. But once they turned for home he made smooth progress to eventually take it up a couple of furlongs from home. He stretched clear and scored comfortably from Chaldean with Charyn (33-1) a neck back in third.
O'Brien was landing an 83rd Royal Ascot winner, one more than Sir Michael Stoute's record, having earlier joined him on 82 with River Tiber's Coventry Stakes success.
