The Euro/Mideast Road to the 2027 Kentucky Derby began Saturday with 3-2 favorite Haffner capturing the $156,500 Tattersalls Online Royal Lodge Stakes (G2) at Newmarket.
Owned by United States-based Peter Brant and Brook Smith along with Coolmore partners and Westerberg, the Justify colt who was bred in Kentucky by D. J. Stables and the Justify Syndicate, found his best stride in the final furlong and comfortably held off late-closing Burning Up for a 1 1/4-length victory. Quicken Away finished third, followed by First Law and Quest for Stars.
The top five finishers earned qualifying points on a 10-5-3-2-1 scale toward starting eligibility to compete in the 2027 Kentucky Derby (G1).
Trained by Aidan O'Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore, Haffner completed the one-mile journey in 1:35.44.
OBrien said Haffner could start next in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) Oct. 30 at Keeneland.
Out of the Zoffany mare Earth Strike (IRE), Haffner improved his record to 3-2-0 from six career starts. He was a $375,000 Keeneland September Yearling Sale purchase last year.