Aidan O’Brien is set to let Lake Victoria aim for consecutive Group One victory in the Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket this Saturday, following the news that Royal Ascot star Fairy Godmother will not race again this season.
Lake Victoria extended her unbeaten streak with a win in the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh and has the option to drop from seven to six furlongs just two weeks later on the Rowley Mile.
Fairy Godmother, who triumphed in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot, was initially expected to represent Ballydoyle this weekend, but she will now be rested for the winter.
Paddy Power lists both fillies as joint 5-1 favourite for next year’s 1000 Guineas.
"Fairy Godmother is done for the season; we’ve decided to leave her off for the rest of the year," O’Brien told the PA news agency on Monday. "As for Lake Victoria, we’re considering bringing her back to six furlongs for this race after the Moyglare."
Lake Victoria is one of 14 fillies entered for the Cheveley Park Stakes, with O’Brien also confirming Bubbling, Heavens Gate, Merrily, and Truly Enchanting.
The likely favourite is Babouche, trained by Ger Lyons, who has secured three victories in a row, including a Group One win over O’Brien's Whistlejacket in the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh.
Francis-Henri Graffard has added Rayevka, a runaway winner at Chantilly, while Ed Walker will present Lowther Stakes winner Celandine.
In the Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes, O’Brien holds a strong position with 10 of the 18 remaining contenders, with Acapulco Bay being the shortest-priced among them.
Charlie Fellowes will have high hopes for his Ascendant Stakes winner, Luther, in the one-mile Group Two, while Ralph Beckett’s Convivial Maiden winner, Angelo Buonarroti, is another contender to watch in what promises to be an exciting event.