Tag Archive for: Curragh

Pretty Polly a possible pick for Via Sistina

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A trip to Ireland for the Pretty Polly Stakes remains on the agenda for Via Sistina following her runaway victory at Newmarket last weekend.

Making her first appearance since winning a Group Three in France in November, George Boughey’s mare successfully graduated to Group Two level with a six-length romp in the Dahlia Stakes under a typically cool ride from Jamie Spencer.

The daughter of Fastnet Rock is now set for a tilt at Group One honours, with the Curragh on July 1 a possible target.

“She’s a good filly,” said Boughey.

“I think the likelihood is the Pretty Polly is probably the plan. This weather is changeable and no one really knows what is going on, but if we get a wet summer we might see a bit more of Via Sistina than we would in a usual year.

“She’s very effective on that (soft) ground and between a mile and a mile and a half, I don’t really know what her trip is.

“She showed loads of pace and there’s a big summer ahead for her.”

Tattersalls Gold Cup the target for Piz Badile

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Piz Badile will return to the Curragh for the Tattersalls Gold Cup following his comeback third in the Mooresbridge Stakes.

The Donnacha O’Brien-trained colt was a regular in the big races last term, with his early-season victory in the Ballysax Stakes setting up a tilt at both the Derby and Irish equivalent.

Although out of luck on the undulations of Epsom, he gave imperious winner Westover most to think about when a silver medallist in the Irish Derby at the Curragh.

Piz Badile (right) finished third in the Curragh's Mooresbridge Stakes
Piz Badile (left) finished third in the Curragh’s Mooresbridge Stakes (Damien Eagers/PA)

He again showed his liking for the Kildare venue on his return and the son of Ulysses will keep to a similar distance for his next outing which will once again be in hot company on May 28.

O Brien said: “I was happy with the run in the Mooresbridge. It was a mess of a race and turned into a three-furlong sprint, so it was a little unsatisfactory in that we didn’t learn an awful lot about where we will be going with him trip wise and things like that.

“But he came out of it well and he’s in good form and all being well he will go back to the Curragh for the Tattersalls Gold Cup.

Ballyinch Stud Classic Trials Day – Leopardstown Racecourse – Saturday April 2nd
Gavin Ryan and trainer Donnacha O’Brien with Piz Badile (Niall Carson/PA)

“He was second in the Derby there and ran well there the last day, but he’s a horse that will handle any track.”

O’Brien’s sprinter Wodao is also in line to appear in familiar territory with Chantilly’s Prix Texanita on May 19 highlighted as his next port of call.

The speedy son of Showcasing was a runner-up to Tenebrism at Cork on his reappearance before filling the same spot behind Marshman in the Prix Sigy when running at the French track last month, and O’Brien believes he will need to go one better this time around to book his ticket to Royal Ascot.

“He’s in good form and the plan is to go to France again, back to Chantilly for a six furlong Group Three on May 19,” he said.

“He’s in good form and is a very solid horse.

“The Commonwealth Cup would be his main aim, but he would have to come through France well and would probably have to win there to warrant going to Ascot.”

Visualisation makes all to claim Mooresbridge success

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Joseph O’Brien’s Visualisation made all under Declan McDonogh to win the Coolmore Stud Sottsass Irish EBF Mooresbridge Stakes as Luxembourg was unable to land a blow on his seasonal reappearance.

The one-time Derby favourite and dual Group One winner was sent off 10-11 favourite to make a winning return and looked to have every chance when Wayne Lordon asked his mount for an effort two furlongs from home.

However, he failed to pick up with any real enthusiasm leaving Visualisation to steal the show at 12-1, and go one better than his second in the Alleged Stakes last month.

On that occasion his from-the-front tactics saw him reeled in by Point Lonsdale late on, but the five-year-old refused to be passed on this occasion, holding on gamely from last year’s winner Layfayette to score by one and a half lengths. Piz Badile was third.

“Declan gave him a great ride. The horse loves soft, tacky, ground,” said O’Brien.

“He was third in this last year on goodish ground. He missed most of last season after a hold-up but he’s come back in real good shape this season. He’s a mud lover.

“Declan said that he felt he moved a bit early on him the last day and he was going to move a bit later today. He said his kick lasted him until 100 yards from the line last time and that he was going to wait an extra 100 yards today. He got him to the line today.

“I have to say it was all up to Declan and he gave him fantastic ride.

“He’s been a good horse for a while and that ground is his thing. Wherever he goes the ground will have to have soft in the description.”

Luxembourg was slightly hampered a furlong out but stayed on one-paced for fifth.

His trainer Aidan O’Brien said: “It was his first run of the year and he was a bit rusty.

“The plan was to come here, then come back for the Tattersalls Gold Cup and that is still what we are going to do.

“He ran a lovely race, he’ll come on plenty for it and being a four-year-old colt first time out, there’s always going to be a lot of improvement.

“The plan was here, the Tattersalls, Royal Ascot over a mile and a quarter (Prince of Wales’s Stakes) and then step him up to a mile and a half possibly for the King George. The first run is over and hopefully he comes back fine after this.”

Sweet Athasi success for Honey Girl

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Honey Girl led home a one-two for trainer Joseph O’Brien in the Coolmore Stud Circus Maximus Irish EBF Athasi Stakes at the Curragh.

Placed at Group Three level and sixth in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot last season for Henry de Bromhead, Honey Girl changed hands for 180,000 guineas in November and made an immediate impact on her debut for new connections when notching a first career victory at the Curragh in late March.

The four-year-old faced a step back up in class for this seven-furlong Group Three, but proved more than up to the task in the hands of Dylan Browne McMonagle, picking up well without being asked for maximum effort to prevail by an impressive three and a half lengths.

The winner’s high-class stablemate Agartha was best of the rest in second, with the William Haggas-trained 5-2 favourite Queen Aminatu a disappointing seventh of eight runners.

O’Brien said of Honey Girl: “She had some very smart form last season for Henry de Bromhead and ran very well in Group One company.

“She won very well here last time and it’s nice to see her back that up with another good performance today. She’s an exciting filly for the future.

Jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle (right) with trainer Joseph O’Brien at the Curragh
Jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle (right) with trainer Joseph O’Brien at the Curragh (Damien Eagers/PA)

“It’s nice to see her back up a good run with another good run as she didn’t always so that. They get confidence from winning, there is no doubt about that, and it’s nice to win a Group race with her.

“We don’t have anything immediately in mind, but her owners are Australian and they are going to Royal Ascot so there is a fair chance she’ll turn up there somewhere, but she’ll probably be at her best in the spring and autumn when she has a bit of juice in the ground.

“I was very proud of Agartha’s run. She disappointed us a little bit here the first day of the season but it was nice to see her come back to nearly her best form today. I’m sure there is more to come from her.”

Paddington earns his crust in Tetrarch win

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Paddington further strengthened Aidan O’Brien’s formidable Classic hand with a clear-cut success in the Coolmore Stud Blackbeard Irish EBF Tetrarch Stakes at the Curragh.

A five-length winner of a maiden at the track last season, the Siyouni colt kicked off the current campaign with victory in the Madrid Handicap at Leopardstown, earning him a step up in class for a Listed race his trainer had not won for 20 years.

With Seamie Heffernan in the saddle, the 5-6 favourite travelled like the best horse in the race for much of the one-mile contest and picked up well once popped the question to score by a length and a half from stablemate Drumroll, who also shaped with plenty of promise on only his second career start.

The winner was taken out of Saturday’s Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket before Monday’s confirmation stage, but his big-race entries do include the Irish Guineas and the French Guineas, as well as the Dante Stakes at York and the Derby at Epsom.

O’Brien said: “He came forward lovely from Naas. He won his maiden very easy last year and everyone has been delighted with him at home.

“He won the three-year-old handicap at Naas over seven furlongs and this was his first step up to a mile. We thought that he’d get it and that he could even get further.

“He’d have the option of going to the French Guineas or the Irish Guineas and then he could end up being a French Derby horse after that.

“He handles the ground well, he’s by Siyouni out of a Montjeu mare so should handle it on both sides. We’re delighted with him.”

Paddington completed a Listed race double on the card for the O’Brien-Heffernan combination, with 5-2 shot His Majesty earlier making a winning debut in the GAIN First Flier Stakes.

His Majesty and Seamie Heffernan on their way to victory
His Majesty and Seamie Heffernan on their way to victory (Damien Eagers/PA)

O’Brien is hopeful the son of No Nay Never can earn himself a place on his team for Royal Ascot.

“He did it lovely. He’s a lovely, big, sleepy horse,” he said.

“Seamus said he had loads of speed but he was relaxed, he said when he clicked he found plenty. He’s like a four-year-old, a big mature horse.

“You always try to get two runs before Ascot but it’s hard enough to do it here because there aren’t many races. It’s a big advantage if you can. Wherever we can get him out again, we’ll try.”

Do It with Style draws clear at the Curragh
Do It with Style draws clear at the Curragh (Damien Eagers/PA)

Aidan’s son Donnacha O’Brien also has the Royal meeting in mind for Do It With Style (3-1) after her successful introduction in the Irish EBF Median Sires Series Maiden under Gavin Ryan.

“We thought she was smart. I was a little bit worried about the ground, she’ll be better on better ground, but it was nice to see her do that,” said the trainer.

“I’ll speak to the owners and see but I suppose the Albany Stakes could definitely be an option.”

Former Classic-winning jockey Micky Fenton celebrated his first winner as a trainer when Run Forest Run (8-1) came from the clouds to win the Keadeen Hotel Handicap under Jamie Powell.

“Jamie got to know him after a few rides which was a big help. It’s taken a while to work out how he has to be ridden,” said Fenton.

“It’s brilliant, the Curragh has always been lucky for me. I’ve always had a few winners here when I was a jockey. It’s good to come back and train one here, I can’t believe it really.

“My wife Stephanie led it up as well, we’re only a small stable. We have nine in at the moment and it’s our first full year. I’m based near Mallow.

When asked how this compared to riding winners he said: “ It’s completely different, it’s a big buzz. A dream come true really.”

Aidan O’Brien out to scratch Tetrarch itch

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It has been 20 years since Aidan O’Brien has tasted success in the Coolmore Stud Blackbeard Irish EBF Tetrarch Stakes, but the master of Ballydoyle holds a strong hand as Classic credentials will be put to the test at the Curragh on Monday.

O’Brien has won this contest – which often serves as a stepping stone to the Irish 2,000 Guineas – five times in the past and saddles two this year in the form of Paddington and Drumroll.

Both have found the scoresheet already this term with Paddington winning a handicap over seven furlongs on his seasonal return while Drumroll, a brother to 2000 Guineas hero Saxon Warrior, won over a mile in heavy going on his debut at Navan

Winning connections with Paddington at Naas
Winning connections with Paddington at Naas (Brian Lawless/PA)

O’Brien said: “Paddington won over seven last time and he’s only ever run over seven to date. This is a step up to a mile so we’ll learn a lot more about him.

“We’ve been very happy with him since his first run.

“Drumroll won over a mile in heavy ground and he looked like a horse who will stay further

“We just felt we needed to get more experience into him and learn a little bit about him.

“We thought he was ready to start before his debut but we weren’t really sure what he was going to do. We had been happy with him at home, though.

Jessica Harrington’s Bold Discovery is another who heads to post for the Listed contest, stepping up to a mile having finished second to Ballydoyle’s Hans Andersen at Leopardstown on reappearance.

Bold Discovery (centre) chased home Hans Andersen at Leopardstown last time
Bold Discovery (centre) chased home Hans Andersen at Leopardstown last time (Niall Carson/PA)

“We hope he will be competitive,” said Jamie McCalmont, racing manager for owner Mark Chan.

“It’s a big day as it will tell what level you are at. He’s highly rated and long term we hope he will be a really nice horse.”

Before that the two-year-old speedsters will get to showcase their precociousness in the GAIN First Flier Stakes.

The race was won by Blackbeard 12 months ago and this time O’Brien is represented by debutants Unquestionable and His Majesty – the latter, like Blackbeard, a son of No Nay Never.

However, it could be Adrian Murray who holds all the aces as he saddles both the exciting Amo Racing-owned Bucanero Fuerte and intriguing newcomer Valiant Force.

“It’s a nice step for Bucanero Fuerte from his maiden so hopefully now he will step forwards,” said Murray.

“He has come on well since his debut, he will have improved plenty. He was quite green that day and he will be a good bit smarter and better.”

On Valliant Force he added: “He looks a real nice horse. He looks a fair tool. You don’t know until you run them, but on his homework he looks nice.”

William Haggas’ Queen Aminatu will attempt a bank holiday raid on the Coolmore Stud Circus Maximus Irish EBF Athasi Stakes.

Owned by Derby and Arc-winning owner-breeder Anthony Oppenheimer, the four-year-old was last seen plundering a huge pot at Newcastle on All-Weather Championships Finals Day and will now attempt to extend her winning run to four returning to turf.

The opposition for the UK raider includes the likes of Paddy Twomey’s Sceptre Stakes winner Just Beautiful and Henry de Bromhead’s Star Girls Aalmal.

Luxembourg adds star touch to Curragh card

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Luxembourg is the star attraction at the Curragh on Monday as the dual Group One winner makes his seasonal reappearance in the Coolmore Stud Sottsass Irish EBF Mooresbridge Stakes.

Derby favourite after rounding off his juvenile campaign with a top-level triumph at Doncaster, the Camelot colt only enhanced his Epsom claims when third in last season’s 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.

However, Aidan O’Brien’s charge did not make it to the premier Classic and was ultimately not seen in competitive action again until registering a workmanlike win in a Curragh Group Three in August.

O’Brien was adamant Luxembourg would improve significantly, though, and was once again proved spot-on as he saw off French raiders Onesto and Vadeni to secure Leopardstown’s Irish Champion Stakes, after which he got stuck in the mud in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Luxembourg had the option of returning to France for his four-year-old debut in Sunday’s Prix Ganay, but O’Brien has opted to start him off in calmer waters on home soil the following afternoon.

He said: “We just thought this looked an easier option at home rather than taking him to France.

“The ground doesn’t look too testing, hopefully it will be just nice ground for everyone.

“We’re happy with where he is, he’s ready to start back. He will come on plenty for it, I’d have thought, but he is ready to start.”

Luxembourg’s rivals include Joseph O’Brien’s Above The Curve, who struck Group One gold in the Prix Saint-Alary last season, and her stablemate Visualisation, who was best of the rest behind Point Lonsdale in the Alleged Stakes a fortnight ago.

Aidan’s youngest son Donnacha is represented by Piz Badile, who won last season’s Ballysax Stakes before filling the runner-up spot in the Irish Derby.

Willie McCreery saddles his star mare Insinuendo. The six-year-old secured her third Group-race success in the Park Express Stakes in late March and got within a neck of Luxembourg last summer.

Jessica Harrington’s Trevaunance and Noel Meade’s Layfayette complete the seven-runner field.

Goldana sparkles on first start for Joseph O’Brien

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Goldana made a winning start for Joseph O’Brien in the Lester Piggott Gladness Stakes at the Curragh.

The daughter of Galileo Gold was previously trained in Germany by Peter Schiergen and was an impressive six-length winner of a Listed contest at Hannover in October – her final start before transferring to the Owning Hill handler for €130,000.

Sent off at 17-2 for her Irish debut in this Group Three event, jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle kept the four-year-old hot on the tail of the pace-setting favourite Mea Domina throughout and although she looked in trouble with McMonagle getting serious inside the final quarter-mile, Goldana knuckled down gamely to soon assert her dominance and surge clear in the shadow of the post.

“I’m delighted for the owners. It’s their first horse with me and she looks a smart filly going forward,” said O’Brien.

“She had good form on slow ground in Germany and it’s nice to start off the season with a Group win for her.

“We bought her in Arqana last year and she is a sister to Love Reigns who is a smart filly for Wesley Ward. She has a pedigree and was a Listed winner already.

Goldana makes a winning debut for Joseph O'Brien
Goldana makes a winning debut for Joseph O’Brien (PA)

“She won her Listed race over nine furlongs so she’ll probably stay a bit further. It looked as though she got a little bit outpaced when they quickened up, but she came good in the last 100 yards.

“She has loads of options and there is a lovely programme for fillies. The Athasi back here may come a bit quick for her.”

Aidan O’Brien wasted little time getting on the scoresheet when Democracy landed the opening Irish Racehorse Experience At INS Irish EBF Maiden in taking fashion.

Sent off the even-money favourite for the six-furlong content, the son of No Nay Never always looked to have plenty lurking under the bonnet and quickened away smartly from the opposition inside the final furlong.

He was the best part of three lengths clear at the line and with the full-brother to Richard Fahey’s Midnight Mile impressing the master of Ballydoyle, O’Brien indicated he could soon return to the Kildare track for the GAIN First Flier Stakes on May 1.

https://twitter.com/RacingTV/status/1647580585701830656?s=20

He said: “You’d have to be very happy with that on very deep ground. He travelled very well and when Wayne (Lordan) dropped him down to go he was a little bit lost on that ground but he would never have seen that ground before.

“It was a good education for him. He has plenty of speed and I’d say he’s a classy horse. He’s big and he’s strong and very laid back.

“There is a Listed race (First Flier) back here in a few weeks and we could look at that.”

Donnacha O’Brien is another eyeing Pattern company next following Porta Fortuna’s triumph at 9-2 in the Irish National Stud And Gardens Irish EBF Fillies Maiden.

Porta Fortuna won nicely at the Curragh
Porta Fortuna won nicely at the Curragh (PA)

He said: “She was our first two-year-old runner so it was good to see her do that. I thought she was a nice filly, but it’s hard to judge when you haven’t run one.

“Gavin (Lynch) said he followed the one that there was a bit of money for and he got the gap at the right time and she quickened up well.”

“We might have a look at a Group race for fillies at Naas next month. She has plenty of scope so is not just a five-furlong filly.”

Bright Legend showed huge improvement on his second outing to land a blow for Fozzy Stack in the Tote Fantasy Who’s In Your Stable Irish EBF Maiden.

Fozzy Stack's Bright Legend gets off the mark
Fozzy Stack’s Bright Legend gets off the mark (PA)

“He stays well and likes that ground,” said Stack.

“He’s a very big horse and still has a lot of maturing to do. He’ll probably be a better horse next year.

“We’ll probably try to find a winners’ race for him.

“He ran away from the whip and he did well to get him organised again. He gave him a good ride.”

Point well made by returning Lonsdale in Alleged Stakes

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Point Lonsdale showed the engine remains firmly intact to make a winning return in the SP Or Better Guaranteed With Tote Alleged Stakes at the Curragh.

Aidan O’Brien’s Australia colt struck four times as a two-year-old, winning not only the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot but also the Tyros Stakes and Futurity Stakes on home soil.

He lost his unbeaten record in the final start of his juvenile campaign, finishing second to Native Trail in the National Stakes, and then suffered his second defeat when unable to land a blow in last year’s Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.

That was his only start at three and he has since spent 351 days on the sidelines.

But he allayed any fitness doubts stepping up in trip in this 10-furlong Group Three and having shadowed Joseph O’Brien’s Visualisation on the front end, showed a tremendous attitude to reel in that chief market rival when hitting top gear in the closing stages.

“I’m very happy with that on his first run back on that ground. He’s going to stay further,” said O’Brien.

Curragh Races – Sunday April 16th
Point Lonsdale ridden by Wayne Lordan wins The SP Or Better Guaranteed With Tote Alleged Stakes at the Curragh (Donall Farmer/PA)

“We thought as a two-year-old he would get further than seven furlongs, but he never went any further because we had other horses. Then we ran him in the Guineas and he got injured.

“There was nowhere to hide today. Joseph’s horse went a good gallop and none of the other horses were able to close.”

Set to be campaigned over similar distances to fellow high-class four-year-old Luxembourg, Epsom’s Coronation Cup could become the major summer target for Point Lonsdale as O’Brien shuffles his pack accordingly.

Point Lonsdale and connections after the SP Or Better Guaranteed With Tote Alleged Stakes
Point Lonsdale and connections after the SP Or Better Guaranteed With Tote Alleged Stakes (PA)

He continued: “We have Luxembourg in the same sort of bracket.

“At the moment we are looking at the Ganay for him and if not the Mooresbridge.

“This horse could go for something like the Coronation (Cup) and take in another race before that.”

Betfair shortened Point Lonsdale to 14-1 from 20s for that contest, while he is 10-1 from 16-1 for the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Democracy rules at the Curragh with impressive debut

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Aidan O’Brien wasted little time getting on the scoresheet at the Curragh when Democracy landed the opening Irish Racehorse Experience At INS Irish EBF Maiden in taking fashion.

Sent off the even-money favourite for the six-furlong content, the son of No Nay Never always looked to have plenty lurking under the bonnet and quickened away smartly from the opposition inside the final furlong.

He was the best part of three lengths clear at the line and with the full-brother to Richard Fahey’s Midnight Mile impressing the master of Ballydoyle, O’Brien indicated he could soon return to the Kildare track for the GAIN First Flier Stakes on May 1.

He said: “You’d have to be very happy with that on very deep ground. He travelled very well and when Wayne (Lordan) dropped him down to go he was a little bit lost on that ground but he would never have seen that ground before.

“It was a good education for him. He has plenty of speed and I’d say he’s a classy horse. He’s big and he’s strong and very laid back.

“There is a Listed race (First Flier) back here in a few weeks and we could look at that.”

Donnacha O’Brien is another eyeing Pattern company next following Porta Fortuna’s triumph at 9-2 in the Irish National Stud And Gardens Irish EBF Fillies Maiden.

Porta Fortuna won nicely at the Curragh
Porta Fortuna won nicely at the Curragh (PA)

He said: “She was our first two-year-old runner so it was good to see her do that. I thought she was a nice filly, but it’s hard to judge when you haven’t run one.

“Gavin (Lynch) said he followed the one that there was a bit of money for and he got the gap at the right time and she quickened up well.”

“We might have a look at a Group race for fillies at Naas next month. She has plenty of scope so is not just a five-furlong filly.”

Bright Legend showed huge improvement on his second outing to land a blow for Fozzy Stack in the Tote Fantasy Who’s In Your Stable Irish EBF Maiden.

Fozzy Stack's Bright Legend gets off the mark
Fozzy Stack’s Bright Legend gets off the mark (PA)

“He stays well and likes that ground,” said Stack.

“He’s a very big horse and still has a lot of maturing to do. He’ll probably be a better horse next year.

“We’ll probably try to find a winners’ race for him.

“He ran away from the whip and he did well to get him organised again. He gave him a good ride.”