Nine juvenile colts put their reputations and Derby credentials on the line in the first Group 1 of Irish Champions Festival, the HKJC World Pool Golden Fleece Stakes, and there was also pressure on the nine-furlong contest itself to produce a winner to justify the race’s promotion to Group 1 status this term.

Ballydoyle landed last year’s running with the 2026 Epsom Derby favourite and Irish Derby winner Benvenuto Cellini, and were responsible for a third of Saturday’s field, including even-money favourite Darkness Falls, who won a Curragh maiden by seven lengths two weeks prior.

Ryan Moore’s mount broke smartly before settling in midfield as stablemate Victory Speech set the pace and was soon joined by Fozzy Stack’s keen-going Chesham Stakes victor Nola Soul. Godolphin’s representative Quest For Stars raced in third, with Charlie Johnston’s raider Pikachu in fourth – positions they also filled on the line.

Darkness Falls, meanwhile, was asked to quicken approaching the turn for home, but Moore didn’t get serious until passing the furlong pole and the Camelot colt hit the front soon after. His class showed as he ran on well to score by four and a quarter lengths, while the Joseph O’Brien-trained Jesus Green sprung a surprise on his second start as he ran on into second, two and three-quarter lengths clear of the third.

Derby dream

The Coolmore and Westerberg-owned colt extended Aidan O’Brien’s record in the race to 12, with previous winners including Australia, Auguste Rodin and Zoffany. On his latest winner, the trainer said: “He had a lovely run round here the first day and was very impressive the last day at the Curragh.

“Ryan said the trip was no problem; he’s going to get a mile and a quarter next year. He’s just got a lot of class. It’s an unbelievable race to have on here, at this time [of the year], the first time it’s run as a Group 1; it’s going to be a very important race. All the good, middle-distance type horses were there.”

Unsurprisingly, Darkness Falls shot to the top of the 2027 Epsom Derby betting, with Paddy Power shortening the son of Camelot from 20/1 to 7/1.

O’Brien commented: “It’ll be hard for a classier Derby-type horse to come out than this, I’d say. The way he did it the last day and the way that he did it today. It was a proper gallop; there was nowhere to hide out there, Ryan eased out with him and quickened away very well.

“He has a lovely nature, which makes him really special, as well as being by Camelot. He’s very exciting.”

Bright future

Connections of runner-up Jesus Green are also excited about the colt’s future after the Joseph O’Brien-trained colt finished second in a Group 1 on just his second start. Owner Chris So Chun Hung was in attendance for the Ghaiyyath colt’s run, which marked a significant step forward from his debut second at the track in early August, when he finished half a length behind Ballydoyle newcomer Wall Street at odds of 9/1.

“Great run,” O’Brien said following the Golden Fleece Stakes. “He’s a lovely colt and it was a tough race; a high-class race. I’m delighted for his owners, who made the trip over from Hong Kong to see him run.”

On future plans, the trainer commented: “He’s a horse for next year and we pushed him in deep today, so my gut feeling would be to be cautious rather than aggressive for the rest of the year.”