The horse kicked out of Australia last spring as not having suitable scans to race in the Melbourne Cup, Jan Brueghel showed just what we missed out on seeing when taking out the Group I Betfred Coronation Cup (1m4f) at Epsom overnight.
The four year-old Galileo stallion won the Group I St Leger last year at his fourth start and came to Australia undefeated, but left our shores without a start.
He reappeared for the first time in 2025 with a second at The Curragh in April, but improved massively out of the run and was ready to rock and roll at Epsom.
Trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Ryan Mooore, he got the better of race favourite Caldangan to win by half a length in an epic battle with a whopping seven lengths back to the third horse.
Ryan Moore was full of praise for Jan Brueghel.
“He stays this trip very well and he's an uncomplicated horse. Aidan had him, as he always does, in unbelievable shape. He showed a great attitude. The second horse is a very talented horse and I am sure he'll win a big race soon. The ground, being just on the slower side of good, suited him and he stayed on really well,” he said.
Jan Brueghel has won five of six starts and is a full brother to Group I Irish Derby winner Sovereign and Group III winner Dawn Rising being from Group II placed Danehill Dancer mare Devoted to You.