Orthodox (9-2) stormed to victory in the Norfolk Stakes, the opening race on the final day of Royal Ascot 2026 on Saturday afternoon. The Clive Cox-trained Havana Grey colt made it two wins from two starts, scoring impressively under Rossa Ryan in the five-furlong Group Two juvenile contest.
Impressive Performance
Orthodox made a striking impression when winning a maiden by two and a half lengths at Salisbury last month. He was well supported in the betting and went off as the 9-2 second favourite behind Aidan O'Brien's 5-2 market leader Carry The Flag. The favourite was never a factor after American raiders from the Wesley Ward stable – Ez Tina, Fanshell Beach and Through The Years – made much of the early running. But Ryan brought Orthodox through to hit the front, and he moved stylishly clear to score by an impressive three and a half lengths from El Floridita (150-1), with the Richard Fahey-trained Mussab (66-1) a neck back in third and Social Symbol (33-1) the same distance further adrift in fourth.
Cox's Delight
It was a 10th Royal Ascot winner for Newmarket trainer Cox but his first of the week. He is excited by what the future holds for his unbeaten colt. He said: 'He won at Salisbury and that was exciting, but we were only scratching the surface. Since then, he's just surprised me the way he's gone with older horses; he's been amazing and he's just really, really special. I would say this horse is pretty special. His auntie, Heartache, won the Queen Mary for us and that was a special day, but this fellow's the next level.'
Cox added: 'He'll go to six furlongs, I don't think that's a problem. Reckless Abandon went from here to the Robert Papin which was five and a half in the old days, but that is six now. The five-furlong options tend to dry up a little bit; I think he'll get six quite cosily. He's just so talented and so fast. His work at home, I thought the guys riding the lead horses were getting it wrong a few times, but clearly not. I think six will be within his compass very easily, he's just a really, really nice horse.'
He continued: 'Kevin Harris, who rides him at home, everyone has been so instrumental in his development. He was really raw the first time we went to Salisbury, but he's come forward so well since then and I'm proud of everyone, especially the horse. He’s just a really, really nice horse, and Kevin Harris, who rides him at home, everyone has been so instrumental in this horse’s development. He was really raw the first time he went to Salisbury, but he’s come forward so much since then. I’m proud of everyone, especially the horse. Jason Goddard, the owner, was very lucky with Supremacy, but fingers crossed, this horse is going to at least replicate what he did.'
'He's trained so well, he's been really special at home and maturing. He's still a baby and this was a huge step. I'm just so proud of the way he's carried it out. He's an absolute Christina, he's got a wonderful mind, and please God we can continue the journey. I've trained members of the family – Heartache, Heartwarming – he's pretty special. They were good fillies, but he's next level.'
Ryan's Praise
Jockey Ryan, landing his sixth Royal Ascot winner but his first of the week, said: 'I've been lucky to ride good colts like Persian Force in the past who we were never too far away in these races, and this lad got me excited – I think got everyone excited. He went to Salisbury green and he still is, he's still learning and is as laidback as they come, but when I sat into him two down, I was thinking watch this and once I opened him up, he just really dropped down and galloped for me; he's a nice colt, that's for sure.'
'I've been very fortunate this week, I've ridden two winners now for two people who are massive supporters of mine. I've been with Clive for a good while and we've had a good few near misses where we've come to Ascot and they've just come up short, and luckily we've found a nice one and he's done the job.'
He added: 'He's a smart horse. We've always held him in high regard, and he's taken a massive step forward from his first run. It can be tricky come in here with one run, but we had a great gallop to aim at and I was just glad for Jason, Clive and everyone there – they do a fantastic job. I was a small bit worried would we see what we see on the gallops in the morning, but we saw it today in a true-run race.'
'He's got a smart future ahead of him. He's naturally quick and he's got a great make-up – he's very chilled out, nothing bothers him, and I think stepping up to six will be no problem. He's one to get up and be excited about in the morning. Mentally he's different gravy. Nothing bothers him. I have not dealt with a horse like this lad before and it's quite exciting.'
