Seamie Heffernan. After briefly taking the lead a furlong out he was outpaced in the closing stages and finished third behind Persian King and Magna Grecia. Two weeks later Circus Maximus was promoted to Group 1 level when he was one three O'Brien trainees to contest the Vertem Futurity Trophy over one mile at Doncaster Racecourse. Ridden by Wayne Lordan he ran fourth behind Magna Grecia, Phoenix of Spain and Western Australia, beaten a length by the winner after hanging left in the closing stages. 2019: three-year-old season Circus Maximus began his three-year-old season by starting the 5/4 favourite for the Dee Stakes (a trial race for the Epsom Derby) over ten and a half furlongs at Chester Racecourse on 9 May. Partnered by Moore he took the lead approaching the last quarter mile and despite hanging left yet again he kept on well to win by a length and a quarter from his stablemate Mohawk. Aidan O'Brien commented "Ryan said he was very happy at a mile-and-a-quarter but he wouldn’t mind stepping up if he needed it... this horse could be a Derby possible... He's lazy, but they're better being a little bit lazy than over-racing." In the 2019 Epsom Derby over one and a half miles on 1 June the colt was partnered by Frankie Dettori and went off the 10/1 sixth choice in a thirteen-runner field. He stumbled at the start but recovered to settle in fourth place but was unable to quicken in the last quarter mile and was eased down by Dettori to come home sixth behind his stablemate Anthony Van Dyck. On 18 June Circus Maximus, equipped with blinkers for the first time, was dropped back in distance for the Group 1 St James's Palace Stakes over one mile at Royal Ascot when he was ridden by Moore and started at 10/1. Too Darn Hot was made favourite, while the other nine runners included Phoenix of Spain, King of Comedy (Heron Stakes), Skardu (Craven Stakes), Shaman (Prix La Force) and Royal Marine. Racing in heavy rain, Circus Maximus broke quickly and settled in second place behind Fox Champion before taking the lead in the straight. He saw off the challenges of Phoenix of Spain and Too Darn Hot before denying a late charge from King of Comedy on the wide outside to win by a neck. After the race O'Brien explained that the colt