Ladbrokes Ormonde Stakes |
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| Group 3, Chester 15:40 £140,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 1m 5f 84y, Class 1  |
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1 Jan Brueghel 4/7F
2 Mount Atlas 10/1
3 Illinois 9/2
7 ran NR: Rahiebb Distances: 2½l, 2¾l, 2½l
Time: 2m 48.26s (fast by 2.74s)
Jan Brueghel storms to success in the Ormonde Stakes! 🤩
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 7, 2026
The five-year-old had to wait for the gaps but comes readily clear of his rivals in the straight to score impressively...@ChesterRaces pic.twitter.com/yCEm1GgVkN
Jan Brueghel made a striking return from an extended absence with a performance of both class and composure.
The 2024 St Leger winner had looked poised for a standout campaign last summer after defeating Calandagan in the Coronation Cup at Epsom, but a disappointing effort in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot – where aggressive tactics failed to pay dividends – brought his season to an abrupt halt.
Returning for the first time since that July outing, the Aidan O’Brien-trained colt was sent off the 4/7 favourite and showed little sign of rustiness despite meeting trouble at a crucial stage.
As the tempo increased turning for home, Jan Brueghel briefly found himself boxed in on the rail while Sons And Lovers appeared to have stolen first run. However, once Ryan Moore manoeuvred him into daylight, the response was immediate.
Quickening with notable authority, Jan Brueghel swept past his rivals to beat Mount Atlas by two and a half lengths, confirming that his ability remains very much intact.
A return to Epsom for the Coolmore-sponsored Coronation Cup now appears firmly on the agenda.
O’Brien, speaking from Ballydoyle, said: “We were very happy, obviously he hadn’t run for a long time and the plan was to go back to Epsom with him after this.
“He enjoyed Epsom last year in the Coronation, he was very good there last year so it makes sense to go back there.
“Obviously Coolmore sponsor it now as well so that’s nice.”
Paul Smith of Coolmore added: “Ryan was delighted with him. He’s talented and I loved the way he grabbed the bridle there about two out and quicken through the horses. It was good to see him back. The Coronation will be next for him.
“You had the little hiccup you heard about from Aidan, but he’s come back fine now and he was in good shape there today.
“He’s a great horse to have around, he’s a character as you can see there. A beautiful individual, he’s very talented.”
Moore said: “He has a good record. He’s obviously a Leger winner, he won a Coronation.
“Things went wrong for him in the King George and it was nice to get him back today in good form.”
Stablemate Illinois finished third and may now return to longer-distance assignments.
Smith added: “There’s an option for Illinois to go for the staying races, a mile and a half upwards.”
Chester Ormonde Stakes (Group 3)
£140,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 1m 5f 84y, Class 1
7 ran
Going: Good
