The Flat Season 2024 is in the history books, and it was another sensational year for Aidan O’Brien, Ryan Moore and Ballydoyle, but what were the 5 standout performances? Read our assessment here!
Flat Season 2024: Greatest 5 Performances of the Season
The Flat season delivered some wonderful moments yet again and, with the latest campaign now in the rear view mirror, we are taking a look back at the five standout performances of flat season 2024.
Flat Season 2024: City Of Troy (Juddmonte International)
He won the Derby at Epsom and the Eclipse at Sandown after having flopped in the 2000 Guineas, but it was City Of Troy’s York performance in August that stands out. He faced a dozen rivals on the Knavesmire and Ryan Moore controlled matters from the front from the moment the stalls opened.
He galloped strongly to the line and broke the track record at York, seeing off Calandagan and subsequent Arc winner Bluestocking. It was his final win, and while the Breeders’ Cup Classic didn’t pan out, the Ballydoyle inmate still goes into retirement with a fine CV.
Flat Season 2024: Bradsell (Nunthorpe Stakes)
The Nunthorpe at York is one of the seasonal highlights each year with breathtaking speed the order of the day.
This year it was Archie Watson’s Bradsell that scorched the turf under Hollie Doyle. They powered home to defeat Believing and Starlust, with the favourite Asfoora only fourth as the Aussie superstar was denied.
Bradsell won the Flying Five at the Curragh afterwards and was second in the Abbaye at Longchamp before disappointment at the Breeders’ Cup, but his York win was a standout.
Flat Season 2024: Shadow Of Light (Middle Park)
Shadow Of Light looks like a colt for Godolphin to go to war with next season. The son of Lope De Vega won his first two starts at Yarmouth and Newmarket and was then second in the Gimcrack at York. He delivered his statement win in the Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket in late September, coming away by four-lengths from the Aidan O’Brien-trained Whistlejacket.
He was ultra-impressive that afternoon but showed his willingness to get down and battle when adding the Dewhurst in October – the Classics await him next season.
Flat Season 2024: Charyn (QE2 Stakes)
The Roger Varian-trained Charyn established himself as the best miler around this season, failing to finish out of the first two in seven outings. He won the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot and the Jacques le Marois at Deauville and was unlucky in the Prix Moulin at Longchamp, but he signed off in style on British Champions Day when taking the QEII.
French raider Facteur Cheval made him battle but Silvestre De Sousa’s partner was willing and capped a memorable season in style.
Flat Season 2024: Kyprios (Long Distance Cup)
Take your pick in terms of which success in Kyprios’ seven-race winning sequence was the most impressive. He is the star stayer of this and indeed any generation. He won a second Gold Cup at Royal Ascot in June, the Goodwood Cup in July and the Prix Du Cadran on Arc weekend in Paris, but perhaps he had the most to prove on his final outing.
He had been beaten in the British Champions Long Distance Cup in 2023 by Trawlerman and the same rival was back for another crack but, this time, Ryan Moore’s partner had all the answers. He has now won more Group 1 races than any other horse for Aidan O’Brien and he will be back for more in 2025.
By Tom McGarry
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