Darkness Falls wins Dewhurst Stakes from Desert Castle

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 10 Oct, 16:13 · Archive

Darkness Falls narrowly beat previously unbeaten Desert Castle in the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket.

Darkness Falls proved stronger than the favoured Desert Castle to win the Darley Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket. Ridden by Ryan Moore, Darkness Falls took up the running approaching the dip and held off Desert Castle, who was ridden by William Buick, by a neck. Darkness Falls was 6-4 to win from 10-11 favourite Desert Castle.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained colt is a son of Camelot and dropped back in distance from a mile and one after winning the Golden Fleece Stakes at Leopardstown last time out. The victory saw Darkness Falls move to the top of the 2000 Guineas market and already figured among the favourites for the Derby before Saturday's race.

O'Brien described the decision to run at Newmarket as a 'big call', adding: 'It was a massive ask to bring him back to seven furlongs, it was a tough nine at Leopardstown last time and he has so much class obviously.' He said the team came 'with a view to the Guineas' and expressed ambitions of targeting the Triple Crown—the 2,000 Guineas, the Derby and the St Leger. The last horse to win all three in one year was Nijinsky in 1970.

Darkness Falls wins Dewhurst Stakes from Desert Castle — Image: Sky Sports

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How it is being reported

Darkness Falls strikes Dewhurst gold for O'BrienDarkness Falls took over at the top of the 2000 Guineas market after edging a heavyweight clash against previously unbeaten Desert Castle in a thrilling Darley Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket.Sky Sports · 10 Oct, 16:06
Darkness Falls beats Desert Castle in Dewhurst StakesDarkness Falls proves the stronger to narrowly beat Desert Castle in the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket.BBC Sport · 10 Oct, 15:55

In this story: Darkness Falls · Desert Castle · Aidan O'Brien · Ryan Moore · William Buick · Newmarket · Leopardstown

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