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| Staff Writer |
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Jan Brueghel maintained his perfect record with a gutsy victory in the Gr.3 John Pearce Racing Gordon Stakes at Goodwood, firmly establishing himself as a leading St Leger contender.
The Aidan O'Brien-trained colt, sent off the entire, showed both class and tenacity to repel the late challenges of Bellum Justum and Sayedaty Sadaty, scoring by a neck and almost four lengths respectively.
Jockey Ryan Moore, notching his 61st Qatar Goodwood Festival winner, had to be at his strongest to guide the inexperienced three-year-old home. Moore said: "Jan Brueghel will get better, still. There is definitely more class in there, we just need to get it out."
O'Brien, celebrating his 26th Goodwood Festival success and fourth in this race, said: "Jan Brueghel stays very well. He is very babyish and green. Time and distance is going to improve him."
The Ballydoyle maestro added: "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."
Jan Brueghel's victory continues a rich vein of form for O'Brien in this recognised St Leger trial, following in the hoofprints of previous winners Highland Reel and Mogul.
The winner's pedigree is steeped in Classic potential. Jan Brueghel is by Galileo, the late, great sire who has dominated European racing for nearly two decades. Galileo, himself a Derby winner, has sired an unprecedented five Epsom Derby winners and numerous other Classic victors.
On the dam's side, Jan Brueghel is out of the Danehill Dancer mare Kissed By Angels, a Group Three winner who is a full sister to multiple Group One winner and successful sire Kingman. This cross of Galileo over Danehill-line mares has proven exceptionally successful, producing the likes of Frankel, Churchill, and Minding.
Kissed By Angels has already produced Group One winner Joan Of Arc, making Jan Brueghel a full brother to that high-class filly. This family traces back to the influential mare Albertine, dam of Arcangues, who shocked the racing world with his Breeders' Cup Classic victory in 1993.
The Gordon Stakes has long been a key pointer towards the St Leger, the final Classic of the British season run over an extended 1m6f at Doncaster in September. Jan Brueghel's stamina-laden pedigree suggests the step up to that trip should be well within his compass.
O'Brien elaborated on the colt's development: "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."
The trainer's patience with Jan Brueghel is now paying dividends. After making a belated debut in May, winning a maiden at Navan by eight lengths, the colt quickly progressed to Group Three success in the International Stakes at the Curragh before this Goodwood triumph.
Moore's ride was crucial to the victory. He explained: "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."
This greenness in running, combined with his progressive profile, suggests there could be significantly more to come from Jan Brueghel as he gains experience.
Looking ahead to Doncaster, O'Brien outlined his potential St Leger team: "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."
This embarrassment of riches is typical of the Ballydoyle operation, but Jan Brueghel's unbeaten record and steady progression mark him out as a leading contender for Classic glory.
The Gordon Stakes, first run in 1902, has a rich history as a St Leger trial. Named after the Duke of Gordon, it was promoted to Group Three status in 1986. In recent years, the race has been sponsored by Qatar Racing and now carries the name of John Pearce Racing.
Notable winners include Conduit, who went on to win the St Leger and two Breeders' Cup Turfs, and Sixties Icon, who followed up in the St Leger. More recently, Crystal Ocean used this race as a springboard to multiple Group One success.
As the flat season moves into its latter stages, all eyes will be on Doncaster and the St Leger. With his blend of stamina and class, Jan Brueghel looks set to be a major player in the world's oldest Classic.
The colt's progression also highlights the continued success of the Galileo sire line. With Galileo's sons now making their mark at stud, including Frankel and Churchill, Jan Brueghel could be one of the last top-class runners by the great sire himself to grace the racecourse.