Ward-Trained Outfielder Tackles Gstaad in Prix Morny

Of all the juvenile riches housed in Ballydoyle, the visual impression created by Gstaad (GB) in running away with the Coventry Stakes (G2) is the one that lingers longest, for all that trainer Aidan O'Brien believes Albert Einstein may be the cream of the 2025 crop. A scheduled meeting with stablemate True Love (IRE) in the Phoenix Stakes (G1) was derailed when the Starspangledbanner (AUS) colt was found to be off-color 24 hours before the race, and absence may be making the heart fonder for a repeat showing after his three-length defeat of Do Or Do Not and the re-opposing Coppull (GB). O'Brien has won two of the last three runnings of the Prix Morny (G1) and five overall, but Gstaad must overcome not only a delayed return to action but also what might seem a statistical curio. It perhaps speaks to the flat-out speed track that is Deauville's six furlongs that winners of the Norfolk Stakes (G2) over five have a far superior record, with a five from nine strike rate over the same period. The representative of that race this year is Wise Approach (IRE), who was a well-beaten second to Charles Darwin but made no mistakes over six furlongs at Newbury next time. Venetian Sun (IRE) has already backed up her royal meeting win in the Albany Stakes (G3) with a neck defeat of Royal Fixation (GB) at Newmarket, form which received a significant boost when the latter landed the Lowther Stakes (G2) on Thursday. Lady Aurelia, Campanelle, and Pretty Pollyanna have all landed the Morny for the fillies in the last decade. 'He looks a real professional'—Wesley Ward camp upbeat The X factor in the line-up is undoubtedly Outfielder, who, unlike Wesley Ward's previous four runners in the race, did not go to Ascot first. But for a trainer who has a 75% success rate in this race, he seems to be dangerously underestimated in the early betting for a race which Ward understands much better than most. Wesley Ward has three Prix Morny trophies in the cabinet from just four runners, but tries something different with Outfielder, an impressive maiden winner at Churchill Downs in May, who comes here without the benefit of previous European experience at Royal Ascot. Outfielder is co-owned by former Major League baseball star Jayson Werth and Amo Racing, who retained jockey David Egan to partner with the Speightstown colt in work on Monday and will be back at the controls in the Morny. Assistant trainer Riley Ward said, "He looks super and I think he's training as well as ever. Going into his first race, he looked like a superstar and you saw what he did. He looks a real professional, and David Egan reported back that he switched leads effortlessly on the straight course; he was very happy with him. We think there should be no excuses." Ward added: "He was on firm, firm ground when he won first time up, so I think the ground will be a help. This race is so tough, it's one of the best Mornys I've seen. The best horse will win and hopefully it's ours. "If you look back at our Morny horses. No Nay Never went on to be a champion sire, Campanelle was sold for $5 million having won at Ascot twice as well as a $1 million stakes race at Kentucky Downs, and Lady Aurelia was Cartier champion. If you're able to win this race, there should be no excuse and you really are a champion."