Jan Brueghel Wins Ormonde Stakes At Chester May Festival

Jan Brueghel, the 5-6 favourite, won the Group 3 Ladbrokes Ormonde Stakes. This is a big win for trainer Aidan O'Brien and jockey Ryan Moore at the Chester May Festival.
By Newsroom | Horse Racing, Chester |

Ormonde Stakes Sees Familiar Victory

Jan Brueghel, under the guidance of jockey Ryan Moore and trainer Aidan O'Brien, has secured victory in the Group 3 Ladbrokes Ormonde Stakes at the Chester May Festival. This win continues a pattern of dominance for the O'Brien and Moore partnership at the event. The five-year-old, sent off the 5-6 favourite, demonstrated a gritty performance, grinding out the win against contenders like Mount Atlas.

Jan Brueghel's victory in the Ormonde Stakes reinforces Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore's significant presence and success at the Chester May Festival, marking another high-profile win for their stable.

Moore and O’Brien continue Chester dominance as Jan Brueghel bags Ormonde - 1

The bay colt, a Leger winner and previous Coronation Cup victor, is now slated to defend his title at Epsom next month. Reports suggest Jan Brueghel is expected to improve on this performance, with the race providing a good feel for the horse after a slight setback.

Read More: O'Brien Horses Galileo Dame and A Piece Of Heaven Lead Chester Cup Odds

Ground Concerns and Track Inspection

The day's racing was not without its complexities. Jockeys expressed reservations about the ground conditions following the first race, prompting a lengthy inspection by track officials. Despite these concerns, racing proceeded after remedial work was undertaken on the track, particularly on the bend after the winning line. Some riders, like Jason Watson, encountered issues, with his mount Stratusnine slipping in the initial race. However, other jockeys, including Oisin Murphy, reported no slipping issues during their respective races.

Other Notable Performances and Potential Races

  • Roman Dragon previously won at Bahrain and has accumulated eight wins from 21 runs at the Roodee circuit. A return to Epsom for the Coronation Cup is also a possibility for this horse.

  • Illinois, another O'Brien-trained horse, was the pace-setter in the Ormonde Stakes last year and ran in this year's renewal, but ultimately had no more to offer as closers gained ground.

  • Aidan O'Brien has a history of dominance in the Dee Stakes, with his horses Constitution River and Flushing Meadows being contenders in that race. This dominance is noted as continuing a trend of O'Brien-trained winners in that particular event.

  • Mount Kilimanjaro, ridden by Ryan Moore and trained by Aidan O'Brien, won the Listed Dee Stakes at Chester, coming from behind to secure the win.

Context and Background

The Chester May Festival, also known as the Boodles May Festival, is a significant fixture in the racing calendar. The presence of top trainers like Aidan O'Brien and jockeys like Ryan Moore underscores the high caliber of competition. This year's event saw particular focus on ground conditions, a common point of discussion in horse racing, impacting how horses perform and how races unfold. The successes at Chester often serve as indicators for major upcoming races, such as those at Epsom.

Read More: Kentucky Derby Winner Golden Tempo Skips Preakness Stakes

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who won the Ladbrokes Ormonde Stakes at the Chester May Festival?
Jan Brueghel won the Group 3 Ladbrokes Ormonde Stakes. The horse is trained by Aidan O'Brien and was ridden by jockey Ryan Moore.
Q: What is Jan Brueghel's next race after winning at Chester?
Jan Brueghel is expected to defend his title at Epsom next month in the Coronation Cup. The horse is reported to be improving after a slight setback.
Q: Were there any issues with the race track at the Chester May Festival?
Yes, jockeys raised concerns about the ground conditions after the first race. Track officials inspected and made repairs, especially on the bend, before racing continued.
Q: Did any other horses from Aidan O'Brien's stable perform well at Chester?
Yes, Mount Kilimanjaro, also trained by Aidan O'Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore, won the Listed Dee Stakes at Chester. Illinois also ran in the Ormonde Stakes.