Babouche, trained by Ger Lyons, is leading the odds to achieve a unique Group One double in the upcoming Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes, to be held at Newmarket on Saturday. The impressive undefeated filly, a Kodiac offspring, recently bagged her third straight win with a victory over colts in the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh last month. On that day, she beat Whistlejacket, who later went on to secure a triumph in the subsequent Prix Morny at Deauville.
Both of these thoroughbreds will make an appearance at Newmarket during this weekend’s top-tier racing event. Whistlejacket has been named as the frontrunner for the Middle Park Stakes, which forms the first premier event of the season for younger horses in Britain.
The two-year-old horse racing category has seen significant Irish success this year, notably Joseph O’Brien’s Scorthy Champ, who claimed a win at the National Stakes during the Irish Champions Festival. At the same event, Lake Victoria secured victory at the Moyglare. The latter, who has also won three out of three races so far, is scheduled to face off against Babouche in the Cheveley Park, making it a much anticipated head-to-head.
However, the notable Fairy Godmother, winner of Albany in June, will not compete. “We’ve decided to wrap up the season for the Fairy Godmother,” stated trainer Aidan O’Brien. He continued to share their possible plans for Lake Victoria, “We might consider reducing her distance to six furlongs for this, in preparation for the Moyglare.”
Babouche is listed as the favourite to win at 13/8 odds by bookmakers for Saturday’s race. If she does pull off victory, she’ll be the first to claim a win in both the Phoenix and Cheveley Park stakes since Minstrella accomplished the same in 1986. Lyons had first entered the Group One winners list with the victory of Lightening Pearl in the Cheveley Park, steered by Johnny Murtagh 13 years ago.
O’Brien is eyeing up his fifth record at Cheveley Park, with five out of the surviving 14 entries after the recent selection stage on Monday for the six-furlong highlight. Truly Enchanting, who triumphed in a Group Two race at the Curragh in June, may potentially compete and could be accompanied by Bubbling, who was unlucky when she last ran in the Ingabelle Stakes in Leopardstown.
Two French-bred fillies, namely Daylight and the additional entrant Rayevka, are still among the contenders in Cheveley Park. The previous French victor was Vorda in 2013. The last ten years have seen a strong Irish presence, with six champions from Ireland including last year’s winner, Porta Fortuna. Donnacha O’Brien’s protege has advanced in 2024, clinching a triple of premier-grade victories, encompassing the Matron Stakes at the Irish Champions Festival.
In addition to his seven Middle Park victories, O’Brien has another four potential winners in the competition including Whistlejacket. Leading the pack is Ides of March, who showed great promise in a recent Curragh Group Three. Henri Matisse, who lost to Scorthy Champ in the National, is also a potential contender.
Michael O’Callaghan is hoping for a victory with Black Forza, after a previous endeavour at Kentucky Downs this month resulted in disappointment. Goodwood’s Richmond Stakes winner lost his shot due to a slow start, placing fourth.
Earlier this week, Wathnan operation added Defence Minister into the Middle Park pool despite his earlier Group Three entry. A spokesperson stated, due to frequent rain and uncertain weather projections, they want to explore as many potential targets as possible for Defence Minister, a promising colt needing good ground. Therefore, they’re keeping all possibilities open at this point.
Godolphin’s Gimcrack runner-up, Shadow of Light, is also amongst the dozen remaining Middle Park competitors. Notably missing from the weekend’s event is triple-champion jockey Silvestre De Sousa, who received a 24-day suspension – with eight days suspended – for repeatedly violating Britain’s whip rules.
In a hearing with the British Horseracing Authority’s whip review committee, the Brazilian was brought under scrutiny for his adherence to whip usage regulations during his second-place finish atop Big Mojo in this month’s Flying Childers Stakes held in Doncaster. This rider, who reigned supreme in 2017, 2018, and 2025, went beyond the approved number of whip strikes, marking his fifth violation of the same rule within a span of half a year.