O’Brien confirms no Cox Plate 2023 for Paddington
Aidan O’Brien has all but confirmed that his star three-year-old, Paddington, will not compete in the Cox Plate 2023.
Instead, the focus will be on the Qipco British Champions Day at Ascot on October 21.
Paddington recently finished third at the Juddmonte International, ending a streak of six consecutive wins which included four Group 1’s.
“The plan is for Paddington to go to Ascot,” said O’Brien.
“It will be either the Champion Stakes or the QEII. My guess at the moment would be the Queen Elizabeth II over a mile. He is probably a miler at heart.”
Paddington has had a busy season, starting in March and accumulating seven starts including victories in the St James’s Palace Stakes and Sussex Stakes.
Currently, he is a 3-1 favorite for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.
O’Brien also mentioned that other international options are open for Paddington, including a potential trip to America later in the season.
Given these commitments, a run in the Cox Plate appears highly unlikely.
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