Three seasons after securing the first grade 1 win of his career, the ascent of Brad Cox continues as the trainer posted the first classic win of his career when Essential Quality put away a determined Hot Rod Charlie to win the Belmont Stakes (G1).

Essential Quality wins the 2021 Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York, on June 5, 2021.

For all of those illustrious chapters in Godolphin’s storied 29-year history, never was there a day for Sheikh Mohammed’s worldwide operation to match June 5.

Klaravich Stables’ Domestic Spending rolled to his third consecutive grade 1 win June 5 at Belmont Park as he captured the $750,000 Manhattan Stakes (G1T) under a patient ride from Flavien Prat.

Godolphin’s homebred Essential Quality proved his class June 5 with a victory in the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes (G1) over a determined rival in Hot Rod Charlie at Belmont Park.

Klaravich Stables’ Domestic Spending rolled to his third consecutive grade 1 win June 5 at Belmont Park as he captured the $750,000 Manhattan Stakes (G1T) under a patient ride from Flavien Prat.

Winblaze homebred Parfait became the first winner for freshman sire Midnight Storm June 5 after being elevated to first from a close second at Belterra Park.

The under tack preview ahead of next week’s OBS June Sale soldiered on with the fourth of five sessions June 5 and it was a filly by Shackleford who separated herself from the pack with a bullet :20 3/5 quarter-mile breeze, the fastest of the sale.

A patient Flavien Prat saved Domestic Spending’s best for the last furlong of the $500,000 Resorts World Manhattan Stakes (G1T), chasing down stablemate and pacesetter Tribhuvan (FR) to win by a couple lengths.

Galloping to his sixth straight score, the 4-year-old son of Hard Spun stole the spotlight from favored Knicks Go in the $1 million Metropolitan Handicap (G1) June 5 at Belmont Park.