‘Like A Four-Year-Old Against Two-Year-Olds’: O’Brien Hails Charles Darwin As Ballydoyle Streak Continues

[Wandering Eyes]

Making it a clean sweep for Ballydoyle of Royal Ascot's 2-year-old Group races so far this week, Charles Darwin (No Nay Never) dominated the G2 Norfolk Stakes with a powerful display. Sent off the 8-13 favourite coming off three starts and two wins in his native Ireland, the full-brother to Blackbeard was quickest away and soon in command under Ryan Moore. Challenged and briefly headed by the US raider Sandal's Song (Mendelssohn) heading to the final furlong, the bay had extra in the tank to pull away and score by 2 1/4 lengths. Fellow TDN Rising Star Wise Approach (Mehmas) was closest at the line, staying on to deny Sandal's Song the runner's-up spot by 3/4 of a length.

Charles Darwin's time of 58.87 was just 0.07 off his sire's track record in the same race in 2013 and he is the only other to dip under 59 seconds in the race, so this was a case of like father, like son. “Everybody loved him at home–he's a big, powerful strong horse who looks like a four-year-old racing against two-year-olds. He obviously had loads left way he went to the line.” Moore simply added, “He was stronger than them and better than them.”

 

That turn of foot! pic.twitter.com/M5gNcLmT5x

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 19, 2025

 

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