Tag Archive for: Irish Stallion Farms EBF Heritage Stakes

Buckaroo foils Homeless Songs in Leopardstown thriller

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Buckaroo showed plenty of heart to dig deep and hold off Homeless Songs in a thrilling finish to the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Heritage Stakes at Leopardstown.

Chris Hayes aboard Dermot Weld’s Irish 1000 Guineas heroine had Buckaroo in his sights as the protagonists passed the one-furlong pole, showing all the style that saw her saunter to Classic success at the Curragh in 2022.

Although the 13-8 favourite drew level with Oisin Murphy’s mount in the closing stages, she was never able to get by the tough as teak Joseph O’Brien-trained colt (5-2), who pulled out extra to repel the strong challenge laid down by the returning-to-form filly and register a neck verdict at the finish.

The Qatar Racing-owned four-year-old was denied by the barest of margins at the Dublin track in last year’s Ballysax Stakes but got the better of the result this time around in his first outing since disappointing in last year’s Irish 2,000 Guineas.

The victory also continued the hot run of Murphy since returning to the saddle following suspension.

“He was really straightforward, he had very nice form last year and it was lovely to be on him today,” said Murphy.

“Joseph pointed this race out about a month ago so it was a long time in the planning.

“We must really thank the team at Joseph O’Brien’s because the middle of last year he was quite sick and all the staff at Carriganog, and the vets, did a good job to nurse him back to health. It was looking like it was going to be a real battle.

“He went to post really sleepy, I was slowly away on one here on Sunday so I didn’t want the same thing to happen so I gave him a little nudge out and he relaxed in the race.

“It was a sit-and-sprint sort of race. When she (Homeless Songs) loomed up, she’s a very good filly and she put up a battle. I loved his attitude, he switched back to his outside lead and put his ears back and tried hard. They are admirable qualities.

“Joseph did say he had a little away day at the Curragh, but an older horse like this is always bound to improve from a race.

“He’s a homebred and that makes all the difference.”

Of his fruitless weekend trip, where a flying visit for one ride resulted in a narrow reverse, Murphy added: “It was a shame because on Sunday my family came and I got beat a short head and should have won.

“It was nice to make amends today.”

Homeless Songs returns to the fray at Leopardstown

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Last year’s Irish 1000 Guineas heroine Homeless Songs returns at Leopardstown on Wednesday where she lines up in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Heritage Stakes.

The Dermot Weld-trained four-year-old won her first two outings last season, claiming the 1,000 Guineas Trial Stakes at the Dublin track before moving on to the Curragh to scoop Classic honours with an impressive five-and-a-half-length success over subsequent Oaks champion Tuesday.

Things did not go quite to plan for the daughter of Frankel after that, with Homeless Songs well held in both the Matron Stakes and Sun Chariot at the latter end of the season and she now returns to begin her career at four with questions to answer, dropping back to Listed level.

Chief among the filly’s rivals is Joseph O’Brien’s Buckaroo, who was second in the Ballysax here last April before winning the Tetrarch Stakes and then finishing down the field in the Irish 2000 Guineas, while Paddy Twomey won this with Pearls Galore 12 months ago and looks for a repeat with stable newcomer Mea Domina – a Listed winner in France on her final start of 2022.

“She’s a new filly to the yard and we’re looking forward to running her,” said Twomey.

“We’re very happy with her. She looked nice and progressive last year and it looks to be a very nice race.”

Trainer Paddy Twomey is searching back-to-back victories in Leopardstown's rish Stallion Farms EBF Heritage Stakes
Trainer Paddy Twomey is searching back-to-back victories in Leopardstown’s rish Stallion Farms EBF Heritage Stakes (PA)

Ger Lyons’ Power Under Me won the Knockaire Stakes over course and distance when last sighted and bids for more Listed honours, while Adrian McGuinness is hoping race regular and stable stalwart Saltonstall can make it third time lucky having finished second to Lope Y Fernandez in 2021 and fourth in 2022.

“He’s ran in this race the last couple of years and has run very well,” said McGuinness. “He was fourth to Pearls Galore in it last year and second to Lope Y Fernandez two year’s ago.

“The ground will suit, he’s fit and has a run under his belt. He’s fairly sharp and we’re expecting a nice run. He drops out and we’re hoping he can pick up the pieces.

Saltonstall, here winning at Galway, is a regular in the rish Stallion Farms EBF Heritage Stakes
Saltonstall, here winning at Galway, is a regular in the rish Stallion Farms EBF Heritage Stakes (Niall Carson/PA)

“I don’t know what I’ll do when he retires. To have a horse like him, he’s a gem of a horse who always gives his all and when ‘Salty’ is right he’s been brilliant and has given us some great days.

“He’s just a brilliant horse to have, I’ve never had any problems with him, he just loves life and is a super horse.”

Helvic Dream (Noel Meade), Georgeville (Lyons) and Hotter Than Hades (Jack Davison) complete the line-up.