Aidan O'Brien looks to have unearthed another top-class colt after The Lion In Winter made virtually all of the running to claim the Group 3 Acomb Stakes at York on Wednesday.
In a race that was billed as an early Classic match-up between Godolphin's Ruling Court and Ballydoyle's The Lion In Winter, there only ever really looked like being one winner as Aidan O'Brien's colt stretched his record to two from two in commanding style.
The Aidan O'Brien-trained colt made an exciting winning debut when overcoming inexperience to power past a more-fancied stablemate to score by two and a quarter lengths under Wayne Lordan at the Curragh, but in the hands of Ryan Moore, he looked much more amenable and was sent straight to the head of affairs.
Moore dictated the tempo throughout the seven-furlong contest and although the challengers were queuing up inside the final one-quarter of a mile, The Lion In Winter had plenty of his sleeve. Charlie Appleby's even-money favourite Ruling Court looked to throw down a challenge to his outside, while Wimbledon Hawkeye began to stay on towards the inner, but neither could match the finishing kick of The Lion In Winter, who lengthened away to score by a length and three quarters in the fashion of a smart horse.
The James Owen-trained Wimbledon Hawkeye won the battle for second, with Ruling Court having to settle for third.
"Wayne loved him at the Curragh, and he got the trip very well," said O'Brien. "He broke smart today and Ryan was able to give him a very uncomplicated ride. He found plenty when asked and he looks like a very nice colt. I'm delighted."
Bookmakers Paddy Power were seemingly impressed and immediately made the winner their 6/1 favourite (from 12s) for next year's Epsom Derby, while the same firm also made him 8/1 their 8/1 market leader (from 16s) for the 2025 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.
"We obviously always thought he would get further than seven (furlongs). We came here with the view that we would go back to the Goffs Million and that we would get a good experience coming here. He's a very nice colt."
O'Brien added: "He's the only Sea The Stars we have, he's very good-looking, which is why the lads bought him, you'd have to like everything he's doing at the moment.
"I think he'd be OK at the top level this year looking at what he did there. We knew the third horse was very good, but we know having come through the breeze-ups, sometimes they take a few runs to show how good they are, so he might not have been as good as he was at Sandown so we knew he might be vulnerable today.
"It looked a good Acomb, looking at him he'd have no problem at a mile and further next year."
James Owen was delighted with his colt and expects him to move up in trip.
He said: "He's run a great race, and I think we'll definitely step him up to a mile – he's a mile-and-a-quarter horse for me all over.
"We'll see how we go, the Gredleys (owners) know more than I do and hopefully we'll get it right.
"Beforehand I would have been delighted to come in the first three and I'm over the moon."
