John Pearce Racing Gordon Stakes (Group 3) - all the news & quotes

3.00pm John Pearce Racing Gordon Stakes (Group 3)

Jan Brueghel outlines Classic potential in John Pearce Racing Gordon Stakes

The lightly raced Jan Brueghel maintained his unbeaten record in the G3 John Pearce Racing Gordon Stakes, a recognised trial for the G1 St Leger at Doncaster.

Ryan Moore pushed the 4/5 favourite alongside pace-setter Meydaan after turning into the straight, and his mount showed tenacity to hold off challenges from eventual runner-up Bellum Justum and Sayedaty Sadaty.

The distances were a neck and almost four lengths. Jan Brueghel is now unbeaten in three starts, having won a maiden by eight lengths and the G3 International Stakes at the Curragh.

This was a fourth success in the John Pearce Racing Gordon Stakes for trainer Aidan O’Brien, with his previous winners including multiple G1 scorers Highland Reel (2015) and Mogul (2020).

O’Brien said: “Jan Brueghel stays very well. He is very babyish and green. He had to do an extra round in the parade ring because we were talking, and Ryan had to go down on his own. He said he was very green going to the start.

“Ryan said he was delighted when the horse went off in front, but he was very green when he was on his own. He is a baby – time and distance is going to improve him. We didn’t do anything with him last year and you can really see it now. You’d have to be very happy. Ryan was very good on him.

“He led the other two to the leader and then got left there. All he was doing was looking in front of him – he wasn’t really concentrating because he is such a baby – but he fought them off when Ryan asked him.

“I would say you’d have to go straight to the St Leger. It was a bit of a crash-course to come here, and he had a lot to learn in a short time. It is only his third run but I wouldn’t think there would be a chance for a run in between. He was a lot heavier today than for his last run which usually means he is maturing.

“We also have the horse that won at Royal Ascot – Illinois - for the St Leger and the Irish Derby winner Los Angeles is a possible.”

Moore said: “Jan Brueghel will get better, still. There is definitely more class in there, we just need to get it out.”

Jan Brueghel wins the John Pearce Racing Gordon Stakes (credit: Goodwood Racecourse)

3.00pm John Pearce Racing Gordon Stakes (Group 3)

1 Jan Brueghel (Westerberg, Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor, D Smith) Aidan O’Brien IRE 3-9-06 Ryan Moore 4/5F

2 Bellum Justum (King Power Racing Co Ltd) Andrew Balding 3-9-03 Oisin Murphy 11/4

3 Sayedaty Sadaty (Australian Bloodstock Stable) David Simcock 3-9-03 Jamie Spencer 11/1

4 ran

Aidan O’Brien – 26th Qatar Goodwood Festival winner

Ryan Moore – 61st Qatar Goodwood Festival winner