Darkness Falls Claims Dewhurst Glory, Fueling Triple-Crown Aspirations

Darkness Falls has surged to the top of the 2000 Guineas betting markets after prevailing in a heavyweight showdown against the previously unbeaten Desert Castle in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket. The Aidan O’Brien-trained Camelot colt, already the odds-on favorite for the Derby, demonstrated a potent combination of speed and endurance to take the Group One contest.

Dropping back in distance from a mile and one after winning the Golden Fleece Stakes at Leopardstown, Darkness Falls took the lead under jockey Ryan Moore as they approached the dip. Once in front, the Ballydoyle runner proved resistant to any challenge, finishing just a neck ahead of the 10-11 favorite Desert Castle, who was ridden by William Buick, at odds of 6-4.

In other action on the card, Rock Montreal produced a resilient performance to win the Group Three Emirates Autumn Stakes, adding another potential Classic hope for Godolphin for the following spring. The Roger Varian-trained two-year-old had previously been defeated by Forbidden Fire in the Flying Scotsman Stakes at Doncaster, a form line further validated when that rival won at Newmarket on Friday.

Running as the 11-8 favorite, Rock Montreal exerted pressure through the final two furlongs of the mile race. He caught the Ballydoyle runner Sergei Diaghilev, who had secured the early lead, to win by a neck with Buick aboard. Varian praised the horse’s toughness, noting that he responded well after being taken off the bridle earlier than anticipated.

“We brought him up here for a racecourse gallop as we just had to do a little bit more with him after Doncaster and I’m glad we did that,” Varian said. “He has a very laid-back temperament with a great attitude. He doesn’t overexert himself which is kind of how you like them really.”

Varian highlighted that the decision to run over a mile rather than in the seven-furlong Dewhurst was crucial, describing Rock Montreal as a “lovely horse to look forward to.” The trainer views the Blue Point progeny as a miler who is built solidly and quickly, though he admitted he must treat the colt as a 2000 Guineas candidate while waiting to see how he develops over winter.

Regarding future preparations, Varian expressed reservations about the current trial schedule, suggesting it is too compressed relative to the Guineas. “I will see how he winters and trains in the spring before committing to a trial,” he explained. “I think we should have a complete revamp of the trials and have them three or four weeks before the Guineas. We are asking these horses who haven’t run for six or seven months to come out and run either 16 days or 14 days before the biggest races of their lives.”

Meanwhile, Humidity defied an absence of over a year to complete a rare one-two-three finish for trainer Andrew Balding in the Group Three Modern Games Darley Stakes. The three-year-old gelding, who won the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot as a two-year-old and finished second in the Royal Lodge Stakes last September, started as the 15-8 second favorite.

Jockey James Doyle kept Humidity in contention, tracking early pacesetter Boiling Point before taking the lead over a furlong from home. The Ulysses son stayed on powerfully to win by a length and a half from 7-4 favorite The Lost King, with High Stock rounding out the placings.

Balding celebrated the result, stating, “It’s nice to have a one-two-three in a Group race, I don’t think I’ve done that before.” He expressed regret that injury had kept Humidity out for most of the year, adding that the horse had the potential to achieve much more as a three-year-old had he remained fit. The trainer indicated that next year’s targets could include prestigious events such as the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, with potential foreign trips also on the horizon.