Is Paddington unbeatable? Sussex Stakes triumph

Ben Linfoot is contemplating the potential future contenders for Paddington following the star 3YO's seventh consecutive victory in the Sussex Stakes.

Paddington continues to rise to every challenge presented to him. He has conquered handicaps, listed races, and classic events, establishing himself as the best three-year-old miler. He even triumphed in a 10-furlong Group One race against older horses.

What's remarkable is that he has achieved all this over different distances, on different types of ground, and in various ways. Overcoming the challenging conditions at Goodwood, where the ground was unfavorable, was no easy feat. However, Paddington made it look effortless, outclassing and outstaying his competitors, albeit in a slower time compared to Here Comes When's 2017 victory.

The comparisons with Giant's Causeway are inevitable. Paddington has now followed the same sequence of wins as the legendary 'Iron Horse' did 23 years ago. Both horses triumphed in the Irish Guineas, St James's Palace Stakes, Coral-Eclipse, and Sussex Stakes. The only difference is that Giant's Causeway was defeated in his Irish Guineas.

If Paddington continues to follow the same path, his next victories will be in the Juddmonte International and Irish Champion Stakes. He will then drop back in distance for the QEII at Ascot on Champions Day. In an ideal scenario, he would conclude his career with an attempt at the Breeders' Cup Classic on the Santa Anita dirt.

While achieving the full roster of wins may be highly unlikely, there is no denying that Paddington's already exciting campaign could become even better. Although unproven over a mile and a half, there have been discussions about entering him in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and the Cox Plate in Australia.

Aidan O'Brien, Paddington's trainer, seems willing to explore various options and take his talented son of Siyouni to new horizons. O'Brien aims to enhance both his own legacy and the stallion prospects of Paddington.

However, the question remains: Can anyone defeat this winning machine from Ballydoyle? Here are five potential rivals to watch out for in the coming weeks and months:

1. Mostahdaf (Juddmonte International): John & Thady Gosden's son of Frankel may not have the most consistent form, but he excels when running fresh. His victories have all come after breaks of at least 50 days. Mostahdaf showcased his potential in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot, and if he competes in the Juddmonte International, he will be returning to the racecourse after a break of 63 days.

2. King Of Steel (Juddmonte International/Irish Champion Stakes): While Paddington has dominated the 3YO milers, the middle-distance horses could pose a different challenge over 10 furlongs. King Of Steel, trained by Roger Varian, could be a formidable opponent. The son of Wootton Bassett has the potential to excel over this distance, although he is yet to tackle it. If he lines up in either the Juddmonte International or the Irish Champion Stakes, a thrilling battle could ensue.

3. Triple Time (Queen Elizabeth II Stakes): Although it may be premature to conclude that Paddington has a firm grip on the older milers, one horse to watch is Kevin Ryan's Triple Time. Triple Time narrowly defeated Inspiral in Queen Anne, and he is a strong galloper who could continue to improve with better settling. His success at Royal Ascot came in only his seventh career start, making him an intriguing contender for the QEII on Champions Day.

4. Ace Impact (Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe): Despite Paddington's recent mile victory, his entry in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is intriguing. His sire, Siyouni, has already produced an Arc winner in Sottsass, and his dam, Modern Eagle, won a 1m4f race on heavy ground in France. Should Paddington compete in Longchamp, he could potentially face Jean-Claude Rouget's Cracksman colt, Ace Impact, who impressed in the Prix du Jockey Cub and appears to be targeting a typical French Arc campaign.

5. Romantic Warrior (Cox Plate): There has been talk of Paddington targeting the Cox Plate in Australia, with Tom Magnier of Coolmore expressing interest in the race. The Juddmonte International serves as a 'win and you're in' opportunity for the Mooney Valley Grade 1. Paddington is currently priced at 7/2 for the race, sharing favoritism with the Hong Kong sensation Romantic Warrior, who boasts three Group 1 wins at Sha Tin. Romantic Warrior, a specialist over 10 furlongs and the son of Acclamation, is currently on a break along with other horses in Hong Kong. The Cox Plate could fit perfectly into his schedule as a precursor to the Hong Kong Cup in December.