Newmarket Race 4 - Darley Dewhurst Stakes (Group 1)
DESERT CASTLE (2) looked the real deal both outings to date. This Charlie Appleby trained son of Frankel picked up in fine style landing the G2 Champagne Stakes at Doncaster second time out and he might just be able to remain unbeaten. Biggest threat looks like coming from DARKNESS FALLS (1) who created a very deep impression landing the recently upgraded G1 Golden Fleece Stakes (1800m) at Leopardstown last month. Needs to prove he can handle the drop back to 1400m here but must be taken very seriously nonetheless. As a G3 Round Tower Stakes (1200m) runner-up GREAT BARRIER REEF (4) could go well if seeing out the 1400m. GENTLE HURRICANE (3) is next best.
Jockey: R L Moore
Weight: 58.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Chasing a hat-trick. Most recently favourite; won by 4.5 len in the G1 Golden Fleece Stakes at Leopardstown on September 12 over 1810m defeating Jesus Green carrying 59.5kg at $2. The race before that favourite; won by 7 len at Curragh on August 29 over 1609m defeating Albany County with 59.5kg at $1.70. Looks hard to beat.
Last Starts 27 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/9 | 12/09/2026 | 14 | G1 2 | $700,940.00 | Leopardstown | 1810m | Good | Ryan Moore | 59.5kg | 1:51.73 | - | 6 |
| 4.3L | $2.00 |
| 1/13 | 29/08/2026 | 37 | MDN 2 | $39,360.00 | Curragh | 1609m | Good | Ryan Moore | 59.5kg | 1:40.23 | - | 1 |
| 7.0L | $1.67 |
| 3/5 | 23/07/2026 | - | MDN 2 | $39,440.00 | Leopardstown | 1609m | Good | W M Lordan | 60.5kg | 1:42.53 | - | 6 |
| 4.5L | $9.50 |
Jockey: W Buick
Weight: 58.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Yet to taste defeat in two starts. When well in the market on debut, favourite; won by 3.5 len at Newmarket (July) on August 7 over 1400m defeating Sommood with 60.5kg at $1.50. Last time out favourite; won by 3 len in the G2 Champagne Stakes at Doncaster on September 12 over 1400m defeating Sergei Diaghilev with 58kg at $2. Big chance.
Last Starts 27 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/5 | 12/09/2026 | 36 | G2 OPEN C 2 | $268,510.00 | Doncaster | 1408m | Good | Billy Loughnane | 58kg | 1:26.25 | 5-3-1 | 5 |
| 3.0L | $2.00 |
| 1/8 | 07/08/2026 | - | MDN 2 | $23,590.00 | Newmarket Uk | 1408m | Good Firm | Billy Loughnane | 60.5kg | 1:25.91 | 5-1-1 | 1 |
| 3.5L | $1.50 |
Jockey: James Doyle
Weight: 58.5kgs
Stats
Comments
At the latest run ran second last in a small field in the G2 Champagne Stakes at Doncaster on September 12 over 1400m, 6 len behind Desert Castle with 58kg at $6. The start before that held ground to the line 2nd of 10 in the G3 Acomb Stakes at York on August 19 over 1400m, 2 len behind Haffner with 58.5kg at $4.50. Likely to find this out of reach.
Last Starts 27 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/5 | 12/09/2026 | 24 | G2 OPEN C 2 | $268,510.00 | Doncaster | 1408m | Good | Jason Watson | 58kg | 1:26.25 | 2-1-4 | 6 |
| 6.8L | $6.00 |
| 2/10 | 19/08/2026 | 29 | G3 OPEN 2 | $317,610.00 | York | 1408m | Good | Oisin Murphy | 58.5kg | 1:25.96 | 4-3-2 | 6 |
| 2.0L | $4.50 |
| 1/5 | 21/07/2026 | - | NOV C 2 | $19,960.00 | Salisbury | 1207m | Good Firm | Oisin Murphy | 58kg | 1:16.23 | 2-2-1 | 5 |
| 1.5L | $5.00 |
Jockey: Wayne Lordan
Weight: 58.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Second-up. Comes off a 42-day let-up. First-up after three months 2nd in a small field in the G3 Round Tower Stakes at Curragh on August 29 over 1207m, neck behind Push The Boat Out with 61.5kg at $1.80. Previously second-up favourite; won by 1.3 len in the G3 Marble Hill (Isabel Morris) Stakes at Curragh on May 24 over 1207m defeating Carry The Flag with 59.5kg at $1.50. One of the contenders.
Last Starts 41 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/5 | 29/08/2026 | 74 | G3 2 | $124,040.00 | Curragh | 1207m | Good | Ryan Moore | 61.5kg | 1:14.70 | - | 5 |
| 0.3L | $1.80 |
| 1/21 | 16/06/2026 | 23 | G2 OPEN 2 | $362,990.00 | Ascot Uk | 1207m | Good Firm | W M Lordan | 58.5kg | 1:13.14 | - | 3 |
| 0.5L | $7.00 |
| 1/7 | 24/05/2026 | 35 | G3 2 | $123,590.00 | Curragh | 1207m | Good | Ryan Moore | 59.5kg | 1:11.33 | - | 1 |
| 1.3L | $1.53 |
| 1/7 | 19/04/2026 | - | MDN 2 | $39,520.00 | Curragh | 1207m | Soft | Ryan Moore | 60.5kg | 1:18.39 | - | 5 |
| 6.0L | $1.44 |
Jockey: Billy Loughnane
Weight: 58.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Last start favourite; scored a big 3.5 len win at Haydock Park on September 25 over 1400m on a rain affected track defeating Brave Country with 58kg at $2.10. The run before that ran last in a small field in the G3 Prix Francois Boutin at Deauville on August 16 over 1400m, 10 len behind Avec Toi carrying 57.5kg at $3.40. Likely to need more at this top level.
Last Starts 14 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/8 | 25/09/2026 | 40 | NOV C 2 | $23,590.00 | Haydock Park | 1408m | Soft | Toby Moore | 58kg | 1:34.11 | - | 2 |
| 3.3L | $2.10 |
| 5/5 | 16/08/2026 | 24 | G3 OPEN 2 | $120,000.00 | Deauville | 1400m | Good Soft | William Buick | 57.5kg | 1:24.68 | - | 2 |
| 10.5L | $3.40 |
| 1/9 | 23/07/2026 | - | NOV 2 | $23,590.00 | Doncaster | 1408m | Good Firm | William Buick | 60.5kg | 1:26.34 | 2-1-1 | 4 |
| 1.8L | $2.50 |