Ladbrokes Ormonde Stakes |
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| Group 3, Chester 15:40 £140,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 1m 5f 84y, Class 1  |
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1 Illinois 6/5F
2
Al Qareem 7/1
3 Absurde 15/8
6 ran Distances: 1¼l, ½l, 1¼l
Time: 2m 55.74s (slow by 4.74s)
Inevitable from Illinois! Ryan Moore and Aidan O'Brien do it AGAIN at @ChesterRaces in the Ormonde Stakes... pic.twitter.com/h251sBdiTu
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 8, 2025
Illinois dug deep under Ryan Moore to claim the Ladbrokes Big-Value You Can Bet On Ormonde Stakes, and with it, the final jewel in Aidan O’Brien’s Chester crown.
A proven performer on the grandest stages — Queen’s Vase winner at Royal Ascot, runner-up in both the Grand Prix de Paris and St Leger — Illinois returned to the track with the weight of past glories, and a French-earned penalty, on his back. But on the Roodee, where positioning is king and patience even more so, Moore’s race-riding nous once again made the difference.
With Al Qareem setting the fractions and Sam James hugging the inside rail, the moment of opportunity came not from brilliance, but generosity. James edged off the paint ever so slightly — just enough for Moore to pounce. Illinois slid through the gap with the minimum of fuss, hitting the front turning in, but then... the waiting began.
The 6-5 favourite, perhaps thinking the job was done, began to idle under the stands’ side rail. Back came Al Qareem. Alongside loomed Absurde. What had seemed comfortable now looked precarious.
But Moore, as always, was measured not rattled — and with hands low and reins tight, he cajoled one last effort from the long-striding four-year-old. Illinois responded like the seasoned stayer he is, holding the line and holding the lead by a length and a quarter at the finish.
For Paul Smith, son of co-owner Derrick, it was another tick in the box for a horse that offers both class and versatility. “That was very pleasing — he’s a lovely horse, very adaptable,” he said. “You could go Coronation Cup, you could go Cup races, he’s got the constitution for it all.”
Reflecting on a horse still sharpening for the season ahead, Smith noted: “He was just messing about a bit once he hit the front, Ryan was waiting for someone to take him there but nothing came, so he had to go. He’s a big lad and he’ll definitely improve for the outing.”
And on Moore’s ice-cool ride?
“It’s like watching Federer — everything in slow motion, totally in control. There’s always more time with Ryan than you think.”
Back in Tipperary, O’Brien was already looking forward. “He’s matured into a proper four-year-old,” the trainer said. “He’s always looked a mile-and-a-half horse who stays well. He could drop back for the Coronation at Epsom — we’ll see how he is — but that’s very much on the table.”
In a week where Ballydoyle has barely missed a beat, Illinois simply carried the rhythm forward — powerful, poised, and with plenty more to come.
Chester Ormonde Stakes (Group 3)
£140,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 1m 5f 84y, Class 1
6 ran
Going: Good
POS. (DRAW) DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 (6) Illinois 4 9-7 A P O'Brien Ryan Moore 6/5F
2 (2) 1¼ Al Qareem 6 9-5 K R Burke Sam James 7/1
3 (1) ½ Absurde 7 9-2 W P Mullins William Buick 15/8
4 (3) 1¼ Mondo Man 4 9-2 Gary & Josh Moore Tom Queally 33/1
5 (5) ½ Mount Atlas 4 9-2 Andrew Balding Oisin Murphy 8/1
6 (4) 24 Roaring Legend 5 9-2 Hugo Palmer David Probert 40/1
