Charles Darwin runs away in Norfolk Stakes. (Francesca Altoft/Focusonracing.com)
Son of No Nay Never Earns Automatic Berth into $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1) at Del Mar
Breeders’ Cup Release
ASCOT, Berkshire, England – Charles Darwin (IRE) won the £150,000 Norfolk Stakes (G2) for 2-year-olds in sparkling fashion Thursday at Royal Ascot, earning a guaranteed start in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1) via the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In.
The Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series is an international series of 93 stakes races in 15 countries whose winners receive automatic starting positions and fees paid into a corresponding race at the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, scheduled to be held Oct. 31-Nov. 1 at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, California.
Jockey Ryan Moore guided the Aidan O’Brien-trained son of No Nay Never to victory in the 5-furlong Norfolk Stakes, giving the legendary trainer his impressive 94th winner at the Royal meeting.
Sent off as odds-on favorite for Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, and Westerberg, Charles Darwin was an early leader and carried on to victory. Challenged by the George Weaver-trained Sandal’s Song and Kevin Scott-trained Ameeq (IRE) in the final two furlongs, the striking colt found plenty drawing clear in the closing stages to win by a decisive 2 1/4 lengths, with Godolphin’s Wise Approach (IRE) in second and Sandal’s Song in third.
O’Brien, who won the 2001 renewal of the Norfolk with Bessemer Trust Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) winner Johannesburg and also took the 2017 edition with Sioux Nation, said: “He’s a very, very fast horse. He’s big and mature and has a very good mind, so he’s very exciting. We were actually hoping he would get a lead – he’s very quick and he’d be happy to get a lead.”
The winning time was :58.87 on ground described as good to firm.
Moore, who recorded his third winner in this contest, said: “He’s a very professional horse. He has a super attitude and jumped very quickly. He picked up well and is a very good horse. He has a good brain and is obviously a very strong and mature 2-year-old. We couldn’t be happier with him really.”
Winning owner Michael Tabor confirmed that the Breeders’ Cup will definitely be considered, adding: “My immediate reaction was he went down very cooly, and he was very cool in the paddock. He’s a very impressive 2-year-old and really the race was never in doubt. It was a great run.”
As part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders’ Cup will pay the entry fees for Charles Darwin to start in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1). Breeders’ Cup will also provide a travel allowance for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships.
