Darkness Falls gave Aidan O'Brien a record ninth win in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes when fending off Desert Castle in the Newmarket Group One.

Winner of the newly extended and upgraded Golden Fleece at Leopardstown last time, Darkness Falls was dropping two furlongs in distance here but was given a positive ride by Ryan Moore and as a result got first run on main market rival Desert Castle.

With the winner's stablemate Great Barrier Reef meeting traffic problems in behind, it was left to the two market principals to fight out the finish, and it was the son of Camelot who proved too strong late in the day.

Winning rider Moore, when asked about the horse's prospects as a potential 2000 Guineas horse, said: "You have to dream!

"He's a really good colt. He's proven that he has the speed to come back here, so a mile next year should be fine.

"There's more in the tank - going past the walkway here he had a look at it. How far he will stay I don't know, he has a lot of pace. It's unique [what he has done]."

O'Brien added: "It was a big call to come here - John [Magnier] made the call to come here.

"He's always had a lot of class. It's all great experience if he was to come back for the Guineas. He's going to have no problem getting a bit further next year.

"He's very exciting."

Today’s victory led to talk of the Triple Crown (to win the Betfred 2000 Guineas, Betfred Derby and Betfred St Leger) for Darkness Falls in 2027 – a feat achieved 15 times in the past but not since Nijinsky in 1970.

Like Darkness Falls, Nijinsky was trained at the famous Ballydoyle Stables in Ireland but by O’Brien’s predecessor as trainer, the unrelated Vincent O’Brien. Prior to his Triple Crown achievement in 1970, Nijinsky had won the 1969 Dewhurst Stakes. The only time the Triple Crown has been even attempted since 1970 was in 2012 by Darkness Falls’ sire Camelot, who won at Newmarket and Epsom Downs before finishing second at Doncaster.

Predictably cut significantly for both the 2000 Guineas and Derby, the winner is as short as 14-1 with Coral to complete the holy grail of the Triple Crown next season.

By Racing TV

Photo: Focus On Racing