2000 Guineas and Derby Favorites Set to Clash in York’s Acomb Stakes Showdown

Next week’s Tattersalls Acomb Stakes at York is shaping up to be a thrilling early-season clash, with two of next year’s 2000 Guineas and Derby favorites poised to face off. Charlie Appleby’s Ruling Court and Aidan O’Brien’s The Lion In Winter, both exciting juveniles, are among the headline entries for the Group Three feature.

Ruling Court, a son of Justify, stormed onto the scene with a dominant five-length victory on debut at Sandown. The €2.3 million purchase immediately catapulted himself into Classic conversations and is already as short as 8-1 for the 2000 Guineas. Appleby’s colt is highly regarded, and all eyes will be on his ability to confirm his potential in this key early-season test.

Meanwhile, O’Brien’s The Lion In Winter, a beautifully bred son of Sea The Stars, also impressed on his debut, cruising to a comfortable win at the Curragh under Wayne Lordan. Currently 10-1 for the Derby in some markets, he has been earmarked for big things by his connections. Speaking to Racing TV, O’Brien outlined the colt’s progression: “He got a very good rating, and Wayne really liked him after that first run. York will be fast and sharp, and win, lose, or draw, we believe this will be an ideal stepping stone for him.”

The Acomb Stakes has attracted a field of 20 entries, featuring some of the most promising two-year-olds in training. Hugo Palmer’s Wolf Of Badenoch, Eve Johnson Houghton’s Billboard Star, and the Andrew Balding duo of Jouncy and Royal Playwright add further depth to what promises to be a competitive renewal.

In addition to the Acomb Stakes, York’s Ebor Festival will also feature the highly anticipated Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes, with O’Brien supplementing Irish Derby winner Los Angeles. The colt will carry a penalty for his Classic success but remains the standout in the field. He could face stablemates Illinois, Chief Little Rock, Euphoric, and The Equator. Other leading contenders include Deira Mile, fourth in the Derby for Owen Burrows, and William Haggas’ Space Legend, who looks to bounce back after a below-par run in the Bahrain Trophy.

As the road to the Classics continues, all eyes will be on York next week, where Ruling Court and The Lion In Winter look set to offer an early glimpse of their potential in what promises to be an enthralling clash.