Constitution River strengthened his standing as one of Europe's leading three-year-olds with a commanding victory in the Group 1 Coral-Eclipse at Sandown, handing Aidan O'Brien a record-extending 10th success in the prestigious 10-furlong contest. The son of Wootton Bassett not only defeated a high-class field but also prompted remarkable praise from those who know him best.

The O'Brien family once again dominated the race, with Donnacha O'Brien-trained A Boy Named Susie splitting Constitution River and French Derby runner-up Hawk Mountain. After the race, Donnacha described the winner as "a serious beast", an assessment that was reinforced by his father in the aftermath.

High Praise From Ballydoyle

Aidan O'Brien revealed that Ryan Moore's opinion of Constitution River carried particular significance given the rider's experience aboard some of the stable's greatest performers.

"He's a very good horse and Ryan has said he is not sure he has ridden a better horse, which is unlike Ryan," said O'Brien, who has previously won the Eclipse with horses including Giant's Causeway, Hawk Wing and City Of Troy.

The trainer also felt there was more to come despite the authority of the performance.

"He was a bit green there early in the straight and it's a good thing he races a little lazy as we're always trying to slow those horses down and get them to relax. It's easy to wake them up."

O'Brien then made what could prove to be one of the defining comments of the afternoon.

"He's a proper horse and you know me, I don't sit on the fence which gets me into trouble, but he has to be the best of our three-year-olds."

Moore Sees Further Improvement

Moore stopped short of repeating privately what he had told O'Brien, but his public assessment left little doubt about the regard in which he holds Constitution River.

"I think he's very smart and they have to go and do it and so far he is, long may it continue."

The jockey contrasted him with other leading middle-distance three-year-olds and highlighted the versatility suggested by both his physique and pedigree.

"The others have been winning at a mile and a half but I think he's a proper one who has done nothing wrong and has a great record.

"He really would have the pace to come back to a mile but he's a big horse out of a Le Havre mare and looking at his pedigree you would say he has the scope and size to just continue improving.

"There's plenty of size and substance there and he's a lovely horse who so far has done nothing wrong."

Distance Options Remain Open

Coolmore partner Derrick Smith was equally impressed after watching the colt overcome a brief moment of adversity before asserting his superiority.

Smith noted that Moore was briefly denied a clear passage by Gethin before switching course, but felt the race was settled almost immediately afterwards.

"It was a special performance and Ryan was held in for a moment by the Wathnan horse (Gethin) and couldn't go right so had to go left and had to break his stride in doing so but after that it was all over in seconds.

"This horse can go anywhere and was staying on strong at the line. A mile and a half you would think would be within his compass but he's been good at a mile and a quarter and we'll have to sit down after we enjoy this."

With another Group 1 added to an already flawless record, Constitution River has strengthened his credentials among Europe's elite three-year-olds. Where he heads next remains undecided, but the confidence expressed by his connections suggests they believe his ceiling has yet to be reached.

Image extract from Coolmore