Tag Archive for: Leopardstown

Zarinsk and Power Under Me at the double for Lyons

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Zarinsk dictated affairs to run out a convincing winner the Cornelscourt Stakes as Ger Lyons and Colin Keane enjoyed a big-race double at Leopardstown.

The daughter of Kodiac was a classy operator at two and was not disgraced on her return here when third behind Aidan O’Brien’s Classic contender Never Ending Story over seven furlongs in the “Priory Belle” 1,000 Guineas Trial Stakes – form significantly boosted by the effort of runner-up Matilda Picotte in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket.

Upped to a mile for this Group Three event, the Juddmonte-owned filly was quickly to the fore under and once Keane kicked for home rounding the home bend the 11-2 shot soon drew clear of the chasing pack who were unable to reel her in close home.

“She’s honest and is surprisingly light compared to what she looks like. I don’t think ground is any issue to her. That ground is horrible, good ground would be no problem to her,” said Lyons.

“It’s pure heart that keeps her doing that. I’d love her to relax more and help him get it a bit easier.

“It’s been all about black type for her and we’ll go Group Two with the hope that she matures into a horse for here on (Irish) Champions Weekend.

“As Colin says if she is going to be at the very top table it might be over in America.”

In the very next race the trainer and jockey combined to land the Group Three Amethyst Stakes with Power Under Me (9-1).

Power Under Me (front) ridden by jockey Colin Keane wins the Amethyst Stakes at Leopardstown
Power Under Me (front) ridden by jockey Colin Keane wins the Amethyst Stakes at Leopardstown (Brian Lawless/PA)

A Listed winner over course and distance last October, the five-year-old came home with a late rattle to down Fozzy Stack’s You Send Me by half a length.

“That’s more like it, but Colin said it turned into a bit of a sprint which probably suited him and maybe gives a false reading on the horse,” Lyons continued.

“He’s probably between trips, not an out-an-out miler and not quick enough for the proper sprints anymore.

“He loves the ground and you can see that with his confirmation and his action. I thought that type of race was within his remit but his last two runs didn’t fill me with any confidence.

“Seven furlongs to a mile and Listed or Group Three is his thing. You will never see him on anything quicker than good to soft.

“The only negative is that Vincent (Gaul, owner) is not here today as he’s at home at a house party. He loves his racing and it’s a pity he’s not here to see him.”

The victory brought up a 107-1 treble on the card for Keane having also won aboard Dermot Weld’s Azazat earlier on the card.

Sprewell powers into Derby reckoning with Leopardstown win

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Jessica Harrington could have a Betfred Derby contender on her hands after Sprewell recorded an imperious victory in the Derby Trial Stakes at Leopardstown.

Following two respectable runs in maidens last term, the son of Churchill broke his duck when winning a heavy ground four-runner event at Naas in March.

That win came over a mile, but he thrived for the move up to 10 furlong here – quickening clear from Proud And Regal and Londoner shortly after a furlong out and he was still lengthening away from the running-on second Up And Under in the closing stages to finish three lengths to the good.

He was cut from 20-1 from 50-1 for the Epsom Classic on June 3 by Betfair, but the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly a day later also appears an option for the upwardly mobile colt.

“We’re very, very happy. We kind of let him down after he won in Naas and he got a bit fat on us so we had to be quite hard on him the last 10 days and he’s come good today,” said Kate Harrington, assistant trainer to her mother.

“He’s got fancy entries everywhere. I know it would be the owner’s dream to go to the English Derby, but we’ll see how he comes out of this. France could be an option as he is very good on soft going.

Sprewell and connections after winning the Derby Trial Stakes
Sprewell and connections after winning the Derby Trial Stakes (PA)

“Mum and Khalid (Abdul Rahaim) will have a chat and see where we go from here. I think he’s a proper horse and as good as we’ve ever had at that distance.

“I’d say the further he goes the better he’s going to get. He’s a really exciting horse and personally I think he’s only 80 per cent there and there is a good bit more improvement.”

The 6-4 favourite Proud And Regal kept on well for third and trainer Donnacha O’Brien was pleased to see his Group One-winning juvenile blow away the cobwebs.

He said: “I thought he ran well and the first run of the year he might have got a bit tired. The last furlong he got a bit of a bump and he might have just had a blow.

“I thought it was a satisfactory run and we’ll make a plan from here.

“He was just a little bit rusty for his first run of the year.”

Proud And Regal out to book Derby ticket

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The Betfred Derby eluded Donnacha O’Brien as a jockey, but he could take one step closer to the Epsom winners’ enclosure as a trainer on Sunday when Proud And Regal reappears in the Derby Trial Stakes at Leopardstown.

The Galileo colt was the most consistent of juveniles last season and after winning the Tyros Stakes at the Dublin track on his second outing, he went on to finish third in the Futurity Stakes before chasing home Al Riffa in the Group One National Stakes.

He went one place better when finishing off his campaign with a top-table success in the Criterium International at Saint-Cloud and is reported to have done well, with his handler keen to see if he can become a real contender for the premier Classic on June 3.

“He’s wintered well, he’s done very well over the winter,” said O’Brien.

“We’re not 100 per cent sure what his trip is going to be, whether he will be a 10- or 12-furlong horse or maybe even he drops back to a mile, but it is great to get him started. He’s in good form and ready to run.

“The downside of winning a Group One (at two) is you have a penalty in a lot of the trials, so we just had to wait for this one which he didn’t have a penalty in and suited him well. But for sure he is an exciting horse and we’re looking forward to him running.

Proud And Regal is an exciting colt
Proud And Regal is an exciting colt (PA)

“The hope is that he becomes a Derby horse, that’s the dream, but I guess we will find out more on Sunday. If he goes and wins well, we will for sure have to have a look at Epsom, but if he didn’t we may have to alter our plans.”

If O’Brien and Proud And Regal are to prove successful in this 10-furlong Group Three, they will need to end father Aidan’s four-year winning run in the race and the master of Ballydoyle boasts strong representation once again.

Londoner carries the highest rating of his trio based on his Longchamp fourth when beaten less than two lengths in the Prix Noailles, while Tower Of London and Mohawk Chief are the others in the mix as the handler seeks his 16th win in the race.

Trainer Aidan O’Brien will be bidding for his 16th victory in the Derby Trial Stakes
Trainer Aidan O’Brien will be bidding for his 16th victory in the Derby Trial Stakes (Brian Lawless/PA)

Although a maiden, Joseph O’Brien’s Up And Under finished second in the Ballysax Stakes over course and distance last month and has shown a great deal of ability in two starts to date, with Goldenstatewarrior an interesting proposition pitched into deeper waters following a battling debut victory at Gowran for Johnny Murtagh.

Jessica Harrington’s Sprewell and Joseph Murphy’s Mr Lincoln complete the line-up and are both stepping up in trip having started the campaign with wins at a mile.

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.”

Savethelastdance shows off winning moves at Leopardstown

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Savethelastdance halved in price for the Oaks after a determined success in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden at Leopardstown.

The daughter of Galileo was sent off the outsider of three Aidan O’Brien contenders at 20-1 but had clearly learnt a bit from her sole start at two, as she was not long in getting to a share of the lead before striding on with seven furlongs to run.

Ryan Moore was never far away on Boogie Woogie but could not get past the Wayne Lordan-ridden leader, and neither could Dermot Weld’s even-money favourite Azazat, who looked to have every chance from two out but failed to the extra gear that might have been expected.

“She had a nice run last year and obviously she handled the ground well and she stays well,” said O’Brien of his charge, whose American Grade One-winning dam Daddys Lil Darling went to Enable’s Oaks only to be withdrawn after bolting to the start when Epsom was hit by a thunderstorm.

“We were delighted with the second filly, we thought she’d win. Ryan said he followed her but every time he went to her, she found more.

“You are never sure about that ground until you run in it.

“Dermot thought his filly was good and so did Joseph (O’Brien, trainer of fourth home Star Galaxy) so I’d say it was a decent race.

“She’ll go into a trial now and she’ll get further.”

The Prairie completed a notable double for Wayne Lordan
The Prairie completed a notable double for Wayne Lordan (Gary Carson/PA)

O’Brien and Lordan wasted no time in doubling up, as The Prairie (7-2) took the Aparto Student (C & G) Maiden.

Like Savethelastdance seen just once as a juvenile, the Galileo colt sat not far off the pace set by stablemate Duke Cador and while he needed every yard of the 10 furlongs to get on top he was a cosy enough winner at the line.

Paddy Power were impressed by both Ballydoyle winners, with Savethelastdance 33-1 for the Oaks and The Prairie 25-1 for the Derby.

“He had a nice run in Killarney last year,” said O’Brien.

“He’s bred to get a mile and a half. Wayne had a lovely position on him, Seamus (Heffernan) went an even gallop in front and he picked up and galloped home. Wayne liked him loads so that was good.

“He got a mile and a quarter very well there in heavy ground and he’s obviously going to get a mile and a half well. He’s a horse to look forward to.

“Seamus was delighted with his horse (Duke Cador) and said to maybe ride him a bit more patient the next day as when he got there he was waiting.

“Ryan’s horse (The Black Tiger) pulled a muscle in his hind quarters, maybe at the two marker. We’ll give him a bit of time off and hopefully he’ll be OK.”

O’Brien was narrowly denied a hat-trick on the day, with Farnborough and Moore losing out by a short head to the Jim Bolger-trained Fleetfoot in the Aparto Home Stretch (C & G) Maiden.

Fleetfoot and Rory Clearly
Fleetfoot and Rory Clearly (Gary Carson/PA)

The winner – who is jointly owned by Bolger’s wife Jackie and former jockey Freddy Tylicki – kept good company in three starts last year, including finishing third to subsequent Group One winner Al Riffa on his second outing.

“His form was good last year. He usually only got mugged by a very good horse and he’s a better three-year-old than he was a two-year-old,” said Bolger of the Rory Cleary-ridden 7-4 favourite.

“He handled it well and I’d say he’ll go on any ground. I’d say he’ll go all the way trip-wise.

“Hopefully he’ll be back here in September!”

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.

Outsider White Birch surprises Ballysax rivals

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White Birch was all heart to triumph as the outsider in the P.W. McGrath Memorial Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown.

The grey son of Ulysses was a 22-1 chance on his seasonal debut having run twice previously, finishing fifth in a Naas maiden and then landing a Dundalk contest in November.

Trained by John Murphy and ridden by Shane Foley, the three-year-old progressed from last to first in the final two furlongs and was then hindered significantly when Aidan O’Brien’s Alexandroupolis, the favourite, lurched right on the run to the line.

Recovering from the wobble to rally again, White Birch locked horns with Joseph O’Brien’s Up And Under and was headed at the half-furlong pole before battling back to score by half a length.

George Murphy, assistant trainer to his father, said: “I’m absolutely delighted with that. He relaxed lovely early on and quickened up really well.

White Birch and Shane Foley
White Birch and Shane Foley (Damien Storan/PA)

“He got a good bump about a furlong down but he’s a very honest horse and stayed lengthening the whole way to the line.

“We are delighted with that and he could be very good. He’s done what we always thought he could do.

“We’ll have a chat now with the owners and make a decision on where we are going to go. We said we would learn a lot today going up to a mile and a quarter on this ground and it seemed no issue to him.

“He’s hasn’t any Classic entries but he could get some yet! We’ll see how he comes out of this and make a plan from there.

“He had a lovely run first time out in Naas on heavy ground, so we thought he’d get through it today all right. He floated around Dundalk over seven (furlongs) and showed a lot of speed, so he could be very versatile ground wise and clearly going a mile and quarter was no issue either.

“He could be a very exciting horse.”

Foley added: “It wasn’t necessarily a surprise. I’ve ridden him in his work over the last couple of weeks and I’ve really liked him. He’s a gorgeous horse. George (Murphy) was worried about coming here and going that trip, but I think you could go a mile and a half with him.

“It was a proper race, they went a proper gallop and it never let up. He’s a nice horse.

“I knew down around the bottom bend that I was getting to them and he actually picked up better than I expected and I ended up getting there a little bit too soon. He really is a nice horse.

“I actually fancied him coming here and then he was the outsider of the whole field. On his homework, he was working like a very nice horse. I was riding him to run well and it all worked out.”

Story stakes Guineas claim with Leopardstown Trial triumph

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Never Ending Story led an Aidan O’Brien domination of both the colts’ and fillies’ Guineas trials at Leopardstown.

Contesting the Group Three Ballylinch Stud “Priory Belle” 1,000 Guineas Trial Stakes, Never Ending Story came into the race the 2-1 favourite after landing the Silver Flash at the same grade and track last season.

The daughter of Dubawi ended her term with third place in the Prix Marcel Boussac and was starting her three-year-old campaign under Ryan Moore at Leopardstown.

Ahead of only a handful of rivals and travelling widest of all around the final bend, the filly rallied under Moore to pick off the field one by one.

Eventually collaring the leader, Kieran Cotter’s Matilda Picotte, Never Ending Story crossed the line two and a half lengths ahead and was trimmed from 20-1 to 8-1 for the Qipco 1000 Guineas by bookmaker Paddy Power as a result.

O’Brien said: “We are delighted with her as she hadn’t really come yet, you can see it in her coat.

“She can go to one of the Guineas and the step up in trip shouldn’t be a problem to her.

“(Stablemate) Meditate is the plan for Newmarket and she could go for one of the other Guineas. We will go gently on her.”

Earlier in the afternoon, O’Brien’s Hans Andersen made light work of the Ballylinch Stud “Red Rocks” 2,000 Guineas Trial Stakes.

The Frankel colt won a maiden last term and was then a good second to stablemate Aesop’s Fables in the Group Two Futurity Stakes at the Curragh in August.

Ryan Moore and Hans Andersen
Ryan Moore and Hans Andersen (Damien Storan/PA)

He was soundly beaten by Al Riffa next time out in the Group One National Stakes, but was nevertheless the 8-13 favourite when making his seasonal debut and stepped down in grade.

Patiently ridden by Moore until two furlongs from home, he swept clear of his four rivals to prevail by two and a half lengths when encouraged by little more than hands and heels.

O’Brien was pleased with the performance, particularly considering the heavy ground, and is considering the Irish or French Guineas, plus the French Derby for his Classic targets.

Hans Andersen was a clear winner
Hans Andersen was a clear winner (Niall Carson/PA)

He said: “I’m delighted with him. He could be an Irish Guineas horse or a French Derby horse and that’s what we are looking at.

“He had experience from last year. He quickened up well and is a very good mover.

“He’s obviously a good ground horse, he moves very long and low. That’s not his ground but he got through it.

“It’s never ideal (running on heavy ground) but we always run if we can at all. It’s never going to suit every horse all the time, but at least he got started. All that could happen is that he might not win.

“He could look at the French Guineas or the Irish Guineas on the way to the French Derby.”

Zarinsk among potential stars on show at Leopardstown

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Irish Champions Weekend winner Zarinsk is among a classy field of 14 runners set to line up in the Ballylinch Stud “Priory Belle” 1,000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown on Sunday.

Trained by Ger Lyons, the Juddmonte-owned filly bounded clear to win the Ingabelle Stakes in September, after which connections were happy to put her away for the season.

While that victory came on soft ground, the going is expected to be far more testing this weekend, with a precautionary inspection planned for 7.30am after more rain on Saturday morning left the going officially heavy.

“She ended last year on a good note winning on Champions Weekend in good style and she’s wintered well, Ger is happy with her and this looks a nice starting point,” said Juddmonte’s Barry Mahon.

“She won with cut in the ground – but there’s cut and there’s what we have at the minute. We’ve had a lot of rain recently, so you wouldn’t know about heavy.

“She’s a very nice filly and we’ve been very happy with her, and she’s ready to go.

“There was no temptation to run her again after Leopardstown. That was job done – she’d won her stakes race. So we put her away, as she was a very tall filly last year, and straight after the race we were happy to say that was her season done and to give her a bit of time.

“She’d had four runs, so hopefully we’ve a nice filly for this year.”

Never Ending Story with Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore
Never Ending Story with Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore (Brian Lawless/PA)

Aidan O’Brien runs three, with Ryan Moore on Never Ending Story, who brings Group One form to the contest, having been fourth in the Moyglare and third in the Prix Marcel Boussac.

Joseph O’Brien’s Madly Truly and Thornbrook, Kieran Cotter’s Matilda Picotte, Dermot Weld’s Tarawa and Paddy Twomey’s Impact Warrior also bring strong claims to the table.

Only seven colts have been declared for the Ballylinch Stud “Red Rocks” 2,000 Guineas Trial.

Aidan O’Brien’s Hans Andersen sets the standard, having finished second in the Futurity last season before slightly disappointing in the National Stakes when fifth.

Jessica Harrington runs Bold Discovery, bought by owner Marc Chan following an impressive debut win at Naas.

His first run in his new colours saw him finish a respectable third to Cairo in the Killavullan Stakes.

“He might be just a bit short of match practice but we hope he will be a nice horse this year,” said Jamie McCalmont, the owner’s racing manager.

“First time out he ended up on the lead and won, and I think that was a bit of a surprise, then the next time he ended up on the lead again. So the horse just lacks some racing experience and the idea on Sunday is to get him to come from behind and I think he will improve a lot from Sunday’s race.

“He’s a very big horse that will hopefully just get better with time, so we will take things slowly with him.”

In 2016 Dermot Weld’s Harzand won the P.W. McGrath Memorial Ballysax Stakes before winning the Derby and the O’Brien family will be hoping to repeat the trick.

Aidan O’Brien runs the Moore-ridden Alexandroupolis, winner of his only start to date, as well as Denmark and Mohawk Chief.

His eldest son, Joseph O’Brien, is represented Up And Under, while his sibling Donnacha is represented by Alder, third in a Group Two to Auguste Rodin when last seen.

Definite decision yet to be made on Arkle for Final Orders

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Gavin Cromwell is eyeing an ambitious tilt at the Arkle Trophy with his fast-improving Dublin Racing Festival winner Final Orders.

The seven-year-old has made remarkable progress since joining Cromwell last summer, with his first victory coming in a Bellewstown handicap hurdle in August when rated just 96.

Final Orders has since had his attentions turned the larger obstacles and while he was narrowly beaten on his chasing debut at Downpatrick, he has since rattled off a four-timer including back-to-back triumphs at Leopardstown.

A 9lb hike for his lucrative Dublin Racing Festival triumph means he is now on a lofty perch of 149, leaving Cromwell to consider a possible step up to Grade One level at Cheltenham next month.

“Final Orders is all good and at the moment I suppose the Arkle is the most likely place he’ll go, but he’ll probably get an entry in a couple of the handicaps as well,” said the trainer.

“He loves jumping fences and is such a good jumper. Realistically we’re probably only looking at a place chance in the Arkle, but you never know what can happen on the day.”

Final Orders is part of a small but select team of horses Cromwell is preparing for the showpiece meeting in the Cotswolds, with dual Stayers’ Hurdle hero Flooring Porter the star of the squad, provided he recovers from a setback in time to bid for the hat-trick.

Perceval Legallois in action at Leopardstown
Perceval Legallois in action at Leopardstown (Donall Farmer/PA)

Perceval Legallois, another Dublin Racing Festival winner, is also bound for Prestbury Park along with a few other stablemates.

Cromwell added: “Perceval Legallois is qualified for the Pertemps Final and I suppose that’s the obvious place to go. He was good in Leopardstown and we’re definitely aiming towards that.

“I’m happy with Jeremys Flame. She was a good winner in Huntingdon the last day and I’m and looking forward to going for the Mares’ Chase with her.

“We’ll let Letsbeclearaboutit take his chance in the Albert Bartlett and Path D’Oroux will probably go for the County Hurdle.”