Clean sweep for Balding as Humidity lands Darley Stakes
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Sat 10 Oct 2026
Andrew Balding saddled the first three home – led by Humidity – in the Group Three Modern Games Darley Stakes.
The Wathnan Racing-owned gelding was the choice of jockey James Doyle on the three-year-old's belated seasonal return, and the rider got it right as the son of Ulysses was well in command during the closing stages having hit the front two from home.
The Lost King continued his fine season with a solid performance in second – for the third race in succession – with stablemate High Stock outrunning his 20-1 odds in a fairly close-up third.
Watch: Humidity made a fine return to action at Newmarket
It was another excellent result for the Kingsclere handler in his bid to fend off Aidan O'Brien in the Trainers' Championship.
And the good performance was clearly not a surprise to connections, either, with last season's Chesham winner returning the 7-4 joint-favourite, as Doyle explained: "Andrew was very happy with his work. He had the best form, it was pretty special, and he gave Bow Echo a good race last year.
"He doesn't do much in front, pricking his ears throughout the final furlong. He wasn't a complete natural on the track. But that's a good sign.
"I'm sure there's more to come from him, there are some targets in the Middle East that might suit him. He's a good-moving horse.
"The Qatar Derby might be one, but I'll be looking forward to wherever he goes next."
Balding added: "The Wathnan team have done a wonderful job - he went away for three months. He looked pretty good today.
"We have high hopes for him – if it hadn't been for his injury he could have done anything as a three-year-old.
"There are likely big targets next year – something like the Prince of Wales's [at Royal Ascot] - but there might be some foreign targets this winter first."
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