Racing

US Navy Flag gives Aidan O’Brien 24th Group One at Newmarket

Trainer one short of Bobby Frankel’s season record after favourite Expert Eye flounders

US Navy Flag and Ryan Moore combined to give Aidan O’Brien a 24th Group One of the season at Newmarket. Photograph: Julian Herbert/PA

Sat Oct 14 2017 - 15:31

US Navy Flag led his rivals a merry dance in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes as Aidan O'Brien saddled the first four home in the Group One at Newmarket.

The Ballydoyle colt was a 5-1 shot to secure a second Group One on the bounce following his Middle Park Stakes triumph a fortnight ago.

Ryan Moore controlled the pace from the front before kicking for home and U S Navy Flag readily brushed aside his opponents to claim an impressive two-and-a-half-length victory.

Stablemates Mendelssohn, Seahenge and Threeandfourpence finished second, third and fourth respectively.

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US Navy Flag provided O'Brien with a 24th top-flight success of 2016, leaving him just one short of the record set by American trainer Bobby Frankel in 2003.

Moore told ITV Racing: “He’s been a remarkable horse. From the middle of the summer we’ve started to work him out.

“He’s very tough. I thought it was going to be a very good Dewhurst.

“To win a Middle Park and then to come and win a Dewhurst is great and he was strong at the line.

“It’s a massive feat again, what Aidan has done.”

US Navy Flag is a full-sister to Roly Poly, who secured her third successive top-level win in last weekend’s Sun Chariot Stakes.

“They’re amazingly similar,” Moore added.

“Neither of them are the biggest, but they’ll both give you absolutely everything. This lad would have a little more substance about him.

“They both seem to keep getting better every time they come to the track.”

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