Charles Darwin lives up to his billing in Norfolk Stakes
Charles Darwin enhanced his already lofty reputation with a dominant front-running victory in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot.
A full-brother to a top-class two-year-old in Blackbeard, the imposing Aidan O'Brien-trained son of No Nay Never finished fourth on his Curragh debut but had since impressed with victories at Navan and Naas.
Those who sent him off at odds of 8-13 will have had few concerns, with Charles Darwin soon bowling along in front under Ryan Moore, finding plenty once challenged and going away at the line to readily account for Wise Approach and Sandal's Song.
"He's lovely, Ryan always loved him and everyone always loved him at home," said O'Brien.
"He's a big, powerful, strong horse. He really looks like a four-year-old racing against two-year-olds.
"I didn't know if Ryan was going to make the running or drop him in, but he decides that. He always thought he had loads left with the way he came on the bridle.
"He's very quick, a big and mature physical and everyone who rides him says he has a very good mind as well - he's very exciting.
"We were hoping he would get a lead as he never sees the front at home, he's very strong and very quick."
On the Ballydoyle pecking order regarding juveniles, O'Brien added: "Albert Einstein is always just something like we've never seen before, the way he works.
"This horse is very fast - he's a sprinter, I don't know how far he's going to get, because he's very quick, and the horse the other day (Gstaad) looks like he's going to get seven, which means he could get a mile."
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Lining up after a fourth in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club, the son of Dubawi set even fractions before pouring it on in the straight, ultimately winning by a commanding three and a half lengths. Runner-up Tornado Alert (9/1) appreciated the drop back in trip after finishing sixth in the G1 Derby. All-weather Listed scorer Glittering Legend (11/1) was a length further back in third. Winning trainer Aidan O'Brien said: 'Ryan gave Trinity College a beautiful ride. He had him in a lovely rhythm and, when he started getting him to move, he really kept going to the line, so you would be very happy with him now. 'Ryan was going to go forward. He does that a lot and is happy to be forward. I didn't ask him but I imagine Trinity College would be happy to get a lead as well. He got it exactly spot on. 'Trinity College would have a lot of options. He could be an Eclipse horse or an American Derby horse. I would say he is improving. We always thought he was a high enough class horse last year as a two-year-old, but things just didn't fall for him. He has probably matured and got stronger now." O'Brien, who is closing in on 100 Royal Ascot winners, added: 'One day at a time! It is great, and I am delighted for everybody. A lot of hard work goes in to each of those horses.' Moore said: 'This is the way Trinity College has been ridden most of the time. He likes it that way. The day at Epsom, when we held on to him a little bit, he just hung down the camber. He is out of a very good mare [Hermosa] and we are learning about him. 'He quickened up very well and had the race in safe-keeping at the two – a smart colt. It was a big run in the French Derby and a quick turnaround. His mother sort of came out of nowhere and got better as a three-year-old, and he's a Dubawi – they usually progress." Co-owner Paul Smith said: 'This is really special. I am delighted for everybody. I think this is Ryan's first winner in my colours. Trinity College ran a super race in the French Derby. He was really strong from the front end there. Ryan got a great possy and quickened off the bend. It was quite an impressive run. He is a progressive horse who seems to like all surfaces. He gets the trip well, so it does open a lot of doors now.' Saeed bin Suroor said of Tornado Alert: 'He ran well to finish sixth in the Derby, and now second in a nice race here is good. He is improving. We will see how he comes out of this, but we will look for a Group 3 race.' James Fanshawe said of Glittering Legend: 'He ran really well. He got a bump early on, which just set him alight a bit, but he dropped his head really well and kept on well. Unfortunately, I think he's off to Hong Kong now, but he's done really well. I think it will turn out to be a good race.'
