Breeders' Cup Possible for Haffner With Royal Lodge Win

The Breeders' Cup, the Two Thousand Guineas Stakes (G1), and the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby, G1) were all mentioned in the aftermath of Haffner's authoritative, 1 1/4-length victory in the Sept. 26 Royal Lodge Stakes (G2) at Newmarket Racecourse. Punters were willing to forgive a below-par effort in the Vincent O'Brien National Stakes (G1), backing Haffner from a general into 7-4 favoritism, and he proved a class apart under Ryan Moore. "The ground became soft at the Curragh last time and it didn't suit him," said winning trainer Aidan O'Brien. "He's going to be a French Derby-type of horse and could even stay further than a mile and a quarter." Haffner's victory in the 1-mile event took O'Brien level with Noel Murless on eight wins in the Royal Lodge and he was not shocked to see his latest winner well backed before the race. "His form was different class in this and we knew he was going to get the mile easily," O'Brien said. "He'd love it around a bend, and a mile would be very easy for him, so the Breeders' Cup is very possible. Next year, I'd see him starting back in the Guineas and then stepping up in trip." The winner was cut to 4-1 (from 10) for the Oct. 30 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T) at Keeneland and shortened to 33-1 (from 50) for next season's Two Thousand Guineas. As part of the Euro/Mideast Road to the Kentucky Derby, the Royal Lodge also awarded qualifying points on a 10-5-3-2-1 basis to the top five finishers toward the 2027 Kentucky Derby (G1). Haffner, bred in Kentucky by D.J. Stables and Justify Syndicate, is a son of Justify out of the Zoffany mare Earth Strike (IRE). He sold to M.V. Magnier and White Birch Farm for $375,000 at the 2025 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Noble Exhibit Takes Beresford If anyone knows what it takes to win the Beresford Stakes (G2) it is Aidan O'Brien, given he had won it 22 times before this, so when he decided to supplement Noble Exhibit (IRE) for €13,000 during the week we should have taken the hint. Plenty did, as the Punchestown maiden winner was backed into 10-11 favorite, and they never had an anxious moment on the way to an emphatic all-the-way win under Wayne Lordan Saturday at the Curragh. Having begun the day as a best-priced 40-1 for the 2027 Derby (G1) at Epsom Downs Racecourse, Noble Exhibit was introduced at 25-1 by sponsor Betfred after the race and what Lordan said wouldn't put you off. "It was very straightforward," the winning jockey said. "He's a lovely colt and he's progressed nicely from each run. I thought he was quite impressive in the maiden he won at Punchestown. I know the field wasn't that strong, but he gave me a lovely feel and was impressive. "He bowled along here, went a nice even gallop, and he can really quicken. That's a huge bonus." The Beresford also offered Kentucky Derby qualifying points on a 10-5-3-2-1 basis to the top five finishers.