Tag Archive for: Ken Condon

Moss Tucker surprises Tenebrism at Naas

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Moss Tucker reversed recent form with Tenebrism to foil the odds-on favourite in the Anglesey Lodge Equine Hospital Woodlands Stakes at Naas.

A Group One winner at two and three, the Aidan O’Brien-trained Tenebrism looks set to be a big player in the all the top sprint contests this year and started off in winning form at Cork earlier this month.

Ken Condon’s Moss Tucker was back in fifth on that occasion, but proved really tough in front this time having looked like being swallowed up when Ryan Moore produced the 2-5 market leader for her effort.

A length and a half was the winning margin for the Billy Lee-ridden 9-2 chance.

Condon said: “On the face of it the last day was slightly disappointing, but Billy came back in and said put a line through that. He slightly missed the break and they went steady enough for two furlongs.

“That’s more his thing, a stiffer track. Ground seems to come the same to him but he’s a tough, honest relentless galloper. I’m very fond of horses like him.

“Donal and Geraldine (Spring) bred him and he’s given them so much enjoyment.”

He added: “He could look at races like the Greenlands and we could travel with him. We might go to Ascot and races like the Flying Five. He ran in the Abbaye last year and we might go there again.”

O’Brien had been looking at a King’s Stand-Platinum Jubilee double bid with Tenebrism, but may now concentrate on the latter.

“It was very tacky ground and the plan was to go to the Curragh (for the Greenlands) and then do the two races in Ascot,” he said.

“We might go to the Curragh and then just do the Diamond (Platinum) Jubilee. That’s the way we are thinking now.”

Boogie Woogie is set for an Oaks trial
Boogie Woogie is set for an Oaks trial (PA)

O’Brien and Moore did get on the scoresheet, courtesy of Boogie Woogie (1-2 favourite) in the 10-furlong Race & Stay Fillies Maiden.

O’Brien said: “She was green the first day and got beaten three times last year, but we always liked her.

“The plan was to come here and if everything went well she might go for the Oaks Trial at Lingfield. It would be a good education for her and she’d learn plenty there.”

Also notable was the victory of the Natalia Lupini-trained Blairmayne in the Best Of Luck To Our Neighbours Punchestown Ahead Of The 2023 Festival Handicap, as it brought up the 1,000th winner of Wayne Lordan’s career.

Lordan said: “I rode Winter and Hermosa to win the 1000 Guineas. I’ve been lucky enough to ride some good horses and plenty of Group Ones.

“Iridessa winning at the Breeders’ Cup was great. It’s a huge achievement to get one on a stage like that.

“I never thought that I would ride 1,000 winners. It’s a hard thing to do with the jockeys that we have here. It’s very competitive and I’m delighted.”

Condon fillies ready for Moyglare date

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Ken Condon is planning to run both Teresa Mendoza and Thunder Beauty in the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday.

The pair came through their final piece of work with flying colours to give the County Kildare trainer high hopes for the Group One over seven furlongs for two-year-old fillies.

“Both of them will hopefully take their chance,” said Condon.

“They are two nice fillies, and I think the ground is drying up for the rest of the week, so it should be lovely racing ground.

“We are happy with both fillies. They worked (on Tuesday morning), and all seems fine, so we’re looking forward to it.”

Teresa Mendoza made a winning debut and was then second in the Group Three Round Tower Stakes at the Curragh on her only run since. Thunder Beauty made a winning debut over the same course in July.

Condon also reports Laws Of Indices to be bang on course for the Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes, after he also came through his exercise in good style.

“He seems very well,” he said.

“He did his last bit of routine work, and all went fine. I’m happy with him.”

Laws Of Indices sprang a 66-1 upset in the Group Two Railway Stakes at the Curragh, and then lost all chance with a slow start when a staying-on fourth in the Group One Phoenix Stakes over the same six furlongs last month.

Lowther Stakes winner Miss Amulet remains on target for the Cheveley Park at Newmarket, having been bought privately by Michael Tabor and partners since her York success.

“She’s on target for the Cheveley Park – that’s the next race for her,” said her trainer.

“All seems well since the Lowther. She’s training as normal. We’re happy with her – (so) that’s the plan.”

Romanised plans on hold after Paris disappointment

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Plans are on hold for Romanised after the Group One-winning miler put in a below-par display in the Prix du Moulin at ParisLongchamp.

Ken Condon’s five-year-old was slowly away and never figured in Sunday’s race, finishing last of six behind Persian King.

An initial routine check-up failed to come up with any reason for the uncharacteristically poor performance from the normally consistent son of Holy Roman Emperor, who was beaten only a nose in the Moulin 12 months earlier.

“For whatever reason he’s under-performed on Sunday – nothing has come to light,” said Condon.

“He’s had a clean bill of health from his usual attending vet yesterday. He cantered this morning, so it’s nothing obvious.”

Romanised will therefore be given time to recover.

“Obviously we were disappointed, and we are none the wiser,” added Condon.

“Maybe something will come to light in he next few days.

“I’m sure in the next few days the owner will say what he would like to do. We have no plans for the minute.

“He won’t be going for the QEII or races like the Foret after that. We’ll just sit tight for a while. It’s best to leave these things for a few days and see.”