Centigrade will attempt to get the mercury rising in his eagerly-anticipated return to the racetrack this autumn.
The son of Too Darn Hot showed great potential in two starts as a juvenile, beaten only a short head by Jonquil on debut before wasting little time opening his account when downing subsequent Queen’s Vase runner-up Further in impressive fashion.
Ralph Beckett’s one-time Derby hope is yet to hit the track this term after suffering an early-season injury, but the Highclere Thoroughbreds-owned colt is soon to return to Kimpton Down to begin building up to very belated seasonal reappearance.
Highclere’s Harry Herbert said: “He’s had his issues, but he’s now back into canter exercise and if all goes to plan he will have an autumn campaign.
“This is a very important horse physically and his form is outstanding. The way he has progressed physically is great and he could be a very important horse not only maybe later this season but also next season.
“If he stood up in front of you he would knock your socks off and along with (William Haggas’) Merchant, they are two very important and exciting physicals. We’re excited to get him back to Ralph’s and hopefully get him back to the racetrack later this autumn.”
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Sajir excelled at Deauville to give master trainer Andre Fabre a first success in the Prix Maurice de Gheest.
A winner of the Abernant Stakes at Newmarket earlier in the season, the mount of Oisin Murphy was somewhat unfancied with Jerome Reynier’s Royal Ascot hero Lazzat a heavy favourite to defend the crown he wore 12 months ago.
James Doyle had attempted to keep things simple by sending his mount forward, but a furlong from home the challengers were gathering on either side with the eye drawn to Murphy aboard Sajir.
Lazzat could soon give no more and it was left to Sajir to surge to glory, with the defending champion an honourable second and Francis-Henri Graffard’s Prix Jean Prat winner Woodshauna a fast-finishing third.
Fabre said: “This is the first time I’ve had him 100 per cent, he was in great condition.
“Prince Faisal is a great breeder, a great owner and a great person.”
The son of Prince Faisal’s Make Believe now looks set for an appearance at ParisLongchamp on Arc weekend, with Fabre adding: “Obviously, like his father, the Prix de la Foret will be his path.”
Oisin Murphy tasted Group One glory at Deauville (PA)
It was Murphy’s third Group One win of the year after Lead Artist’s Lockinge win and striking aboard Tornado Alert in Germany recently.
He was delighted to make a successful visit to the Normandy coast to reclaim the mount on Sajir and said: “He was brilliant today. Andre had him spot on and he travelled beautifully for me.
“He relaxed very well. I was a little bit behind but I tried not to get there too soon.
“I think the horse improved 7lb on any form he’d shown before and he delivered.
“Today he switched his leads and powered to the line. The way he bends his knee he feels like a horse that will handle juice. I’m so happy for Prince Faisal.”
Meanwhile, Reynier has his sights on an Ascot return for Lazzat having felt conditions may have been too quick for his star four-year-old.
Lazzat could return to Ascot (David Davies/PA)
He said: “James Doyle felt he couldn’t get the horse to relax. We’ll check the tracking data, but he felt the horse was doing too much and using too much energy.
“He had a flat spot – something that rarely happens – but still picked up again to fight and take second.
“He would be more comfortable on slightly softer ground and today it was still a bit firm. Autumn is coming and for him, the target will be the Champions Sprint at Ascot, as we know he likes easier going.
“It’s a shame to lose the crown, but we were beaten fair and square. Sajir is a very good horse and now it’s up to him to confirm.
“Initially, we were thinking of running the Prix de la Foret and then the Champions Sprint Stakes, but James Doyle feels we shouldn’t stretch him too much, or he might be even more outpaced than today.”
Graffard could also look to visit Britain with Woodshauna, with Haydock a possibility for the colt who sports the colours of John Stewart’s Resolute Racing operation.
Graffard said: “Woodshauna produced a terrific turn of foot — he really ran very well. He has a lot of speed, and Christophe (Soumillon) thinks this is as far as he stays.
“Woodshauna is entered in the Sprint Cup at Haydock. That’s an option. I’ll discuss it with the owner and Christophe, who knows him well now.”
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Billy Loughnane registered his first Group One victory when guiding globetrotting superstar Rebel’s Romance to the Westminster 135th Grosser Preis von Berlin at Hoppegarten on Sunday.
A firm favourite of trainer Charlie Appleby, the seven-year-old began his Group One haul in this very race back in 2022 and three years on he was back in the German capital to strike for the eighth time at the highest level.
Keen to keep things simple Rebel’s Romance was up with the pace throughout the early stages, keeping close tabs on Andre Fabre’s Junko and when straightening for home he showed his class to bravely hold off the French challenger.
It was in fact a fourth Group One success on German soil for the well-travelled dual Breeders’ Cup Turf hero who could return to Del Mar for another crack at the season-ending showpiece, with Coral making him the 5-1 co second-favourite for a third Stateside victory.
Appleby said: “It’s great for Billy, but more importantly great for the horse who keeps sparkling on all continents.
“To have him carry on at the top level is fantastic for Sheikh Mohammed and I see this as a pre-cursor for the Canadian International at Woodbine and then the Breeders’ Cup.”
Loughnane has ridden eight winners from 12 rides for Appleby this season and it is fitting his first success at the top table comes in Germany, having notched his first Group-race triumph at Cologne in April last year.
It caps a memorable weekend for his teenage pilot who also won the Sweet Solera Stakes in the royal blue of Appleby and Godolphin aboard Dance To The Music at Newmarket on Saturday.
Loughnane told Wettstar: “This is a feeling I can’t describe, it’s a feeling of ecstasy, what a horse and I’m very lucky to be riding in these colours and riding a horse like this.
“He’s a star of a horse and has been going for a good few seasons now. Big thanks go to William Buick and I spoke to him last night and he told me exactly what to do. He’s a superstar.”
Meanwhile, the 19-year-old’s father Mark Loughnane was the proudest man on Wolverhampton racecourse having watched his son’s finest hour from Dunstall Park.
He told Sky Sports Racing: “Words can’t describe something like that and it is something Billy has dreamt about all his life, it was amazing.
“I had an even-money favourite in the first but I was more on my phone watching Billy and we can’t thank Mr Appleby and George Boughey and people like that enough. His agent Tony Hind has done a super job and they’ve all really catapulted Billy to the next level but as a dad, I’m proud as punch.
“When it was talked about he might be riding Rebel’s Romance he rang me straight away and was like a child in a sweet shop and he said ‘I’m on this horse of Mr Appleby’s and it’s going to be great’. I told him just to relax as a lot can happen between races.
“I’ve spoken to him on the phone and he’s absolutely elated. I was the first one on the phone and he’s bouncing and for a young fellow, he’s a super young man. What he’s done in a short space of time, I’ve helped him get started, and now that’s it off he goes.
“It’s awesome for our house and as a family, his mum is here racing today and we’re all absolutely cock-a-hoop for him.”
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The exciting Moon Target will take a route Sir Mark Prescott knows well when she heads to Goodwood for the Virgin Bet Prestige Fillies’ Stakes later this month.
The Heath House youngster has shone brightly so far and having enhanced her reputation at Yarmouth, now heads for the Group Three event Prescott won with Red Camellia in 1996, but also saw his Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe heroine Alpinista beaten in 2019.
“All being well she will run in the Prestige,” said Prescott. “I managed to get Alpinista beat in the Prestige though, which seemed like the end of the world at the time but turned all right in the end.
“It is amazing when you look back now and think how on earth did that get beat there, but she did.
“You don’t want to be disparaging, but I don’t suppose they were world-beaters Moon Target beat at Yarmouth. However, she did it well didn’t she and she appears to be very relaxed which is such a great help.”
It has been hard not to be impressed by Moon Target’s progress to date, as she built on the taking nature of her debut win at Newmarket by scoring by an even wider margin in her second start.
Asked at what point he knew he had a smart horse on his hands, Prescott said: “Not until I worked her, I liked her much much more once I worked her as she always went very very well without apparently doing anything.
“Initially I thought the others must be very bad because of the way she just did it, so she’s been interesting and I think she caught everybody by surprise when it turned out at home she could go.”
Sir Mark Prescott is still at the top of his game (Mike Egerton/PA)
With one Prestige Stakes for Moon Target’s owners Cheveley Park Stud banked almost 30 years ago, the daughter of Cracksman’s rise to prominence gives Prescott the chance to continue his long association with the leading owner-breeder operation.
He added: “I’ve been a while without one for Cheveley and I had a marvellous run for them with Pivotal, Red Camellia who actually won the Prestige, and Hooray, who often gets forgotten and was champion two-year-old filly.”
Moon Target could also help Prescott in one of the few frontiers he has yet to conquer, with a Classic victory on home soil towards the top of his wish list for his remaining years in the training ranks.
Currently as short as 16-1 for next year’s 1000 Guineas and 20-1 for the Oaks, Moon Target is proving a huge asset to ensuring the Heath House master’s enthusiasm still burns brightly and could bring dreams of glory in next season’s biggest races into range if excelling on the Sussex Downs.
“I’ve never trained a winner of the Cesarewitch and I’ve never trained a Classic winner in Britain, they’re the things that need doing,” continued Prescott.
“I’m still motivated and if you are a trainer the goals remains the same all the time, as long as you retain your enthusiasm and your marbles. If anything it becomes more important as you know you are running out of time.
“Horses like Moon Target are what keeps everyone going and she looks good at the moment and we’ve got to hope everything goes right with her, but you can’t be disappointed so far.”
While Moon Target has already advertised her talent, waiting in the wings at the foot of Warren Hill and still to make her debut is the latest graduate from one of Prescott’s most successful lineages, Alpinara.
A sister to Alpinista and also from the family of multiple Group One-winner Albanova – as well as that one’s own sister, the dual Champion Stakes winner Alborada – she cost Kia Joorabchian 2.5million guineas at Tattersall’s prestigious Book One sale last autumn.
A bay, unlike her illustrious grey sibling who gave the Newmarket veteran one of his finest hours in Paris three years ago, Alpinara is steadily building up to her first racecourse appearance, envisaged to sport the Amo Racing silks for the first time in the autumn.
Alpinista’s sister is still to make her debut
“She is very interesting because at the sales everyone was asking does she look like Alpinista and the answer was not at all, completely different,” explained Prescott.
“She’s better looking in fact, but nothing like Alpinista and more like Albanova who was the grandmother of Alpinista.
“Alpinista won as a two-year-old at Epsom against colts in July, yet this one looks like she will be September into October really.
“She seems to go well and has really come to life recently. We turned her out for three months after we broke her in and she’s been fine, but who knows at this stage.”
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Montreal, a hugely impressive eight-length winner at Leopardstown on Thursday, is heading to the Irish Champions Festival weekend.
Aidan O’Brien’s superbly-bred Sea The Stars colt stepped up markedly on his debut effort, putting his race to bed in a matter of strides for Wayne Lordan.
He holds an entry in the Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes at the Curragh on September 14 over seven furlongs, while the day-earlier KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes over a mile could also come into the equation back at Leopardstown.
“He’d improved from his debut at Leopardstown when he was very green and finished third,” said O’Brien.
“We like him and he showed what we thought he might when he wasn’t as green, he was impressive.
“I think he could go back to Leopardstown on Champions Weekend, something like that might be next.”
O’Brien also confirmed the departure of two smart three-year-olds from his ranks, with Irish Derby runner-up Serious Contender sold to race in Hong Kong and Hampton Court Stakes winner Trinity College also on the move.
The trainer said: “Serious Contender’s form is excellent and obviously we’re sorry to see him go. He’s a good horse and will do very well.
“We thought he couldn’t get beat in Ascot (when second to Merchant) and then the one that beat us was entered in the King George.
“Trinity College has gone to Australia.”
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Richard Hughes is confident he has a “great chance” of notching a second big sprinting prize of the summer when course winner Sayidah Dariyan returns to York for the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes.
The Lambourn-based former jockey registered the first Group One success of his training career when stable flagbearer No Half Measures was a shock 66-1 winner of the July Cup at Newmarket, but a day prior it was his ever-improving three-year-old filly who sparkled when winning on the Knavesmire to set up her Nunthorpe bid.
“We hope we have a great chance, she’s really going the right way,” said Hughes, who memorably won the Nunthorpe aboard both Oasis Dream and Sole Power as a rider.
“I wouldn’t swap her for anything and with No Half Measures as well we know we have two nice fillies.”
Sayidah Dariyan has barely put a foot wrong in her three-year-old career, winning a competitive conditions event at Chelmsford before bumping into the thriving Symbol Of Honour when third in Newbury’s Carnarvon Stakes and then going on to finish fourth in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot.
However, it was at York in the Summer Stakes where the Jaber Abdullah-owned three-year-old excelled in the hands of Billy Loughnane, leaving her as short as 8-1 in places for the Ebor Festival’s sprinting highlight.
“Last time when she won at York it was the first time she was ridden the way I like,” continued Hughes.
“She was covered up and ridden for a turn of foot and she just exploded. We were able to see the best of her ridden that way.
“I don’t think coming back to five furlongs will be too much of a hindrance to her and I think she’s quite fast.”
Sayidah Dariyan will be joined on her journey to Yorkshire by stablemate America Queen who will also sport the Abdullah silks when she lines up for the Sky Bet Lowther Stakes.
A 4-1 chance for the Group Two event after blitzing the opposition by 12 lengths on debut at Haydock, Weathercock House handler Hughes is hopeful of another bold showing.
“She definitely runs in the Lowther and we’re very pleased with her,” continued Hughes.
“We hadn’t seen what she did at Haydock at home. We thought she would win at Haydock but when the jockey gave her a slap and she took off, it was what we hadn’t seen before so hopefully she’s saving more for the track.
“We’ve got a nice bunch of two-year-olds who are going the right way and we’re really pleased with them.”
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Maureen Haggas has called on Ascot to improve the overall quality of Shergar Cup jockeys, saying she felt the standard of riding was not “as high as it should be” during Saturday’s competition.
Haggas, who is assistant trainer to her husband William, saddled a winner for the yard at the fixture as Tenability was steered to a neck victory by French rider Delphine Santiago in the 12-furlong Classic.
Teams representing Great Britain and Ireland, Europe, Asia and the Rest of the World took part and Haggas believes some competitors were “inexperienced” for the task.
She told ITV Racing: “It’s a great experience for them all and it’s good money here today and we’re running nice horses. I just think there are some very good riders here but there are some riders that are inexperienced in this country, or inexperienced internationally.
“It is good money so it attracts nice horses and this horse (Tenability), for instance, is a very nice, young, progressive horse.
“It’s a great concept and you’d like to see more of the higher profile jockeys supporting it because it is a good concept and it’s good money and it’s good fun, but I’m just not sure that the standard of riding is as high as it should be.
“There are some very good riders here and Mirai (Iwata) who works for us is a lovely rider but young and very inexperienced and you can just see the way the races are run, they’re spread out all over the track.
“Everyone has got to learn and get experience and it’s all about experience but for this money, you need to keep the standard of horses up so you need to keep the standard of riding up as well.”
In response to Haggas’ comments, Ascot director of racing and public affairs Nick Smith said: “We’re really pleased with the new format and it’s great for awareness of the event that Asia won, given the media coverage in India and Japan in the run-up. Suraj (Narredu) winning ride of the day will only enhance that further.
“Once again both the team and jockey competitions went to the wire thanks to the draw formula that James Willoughby provides.
“As always with these things, there will be cases where lack of track experience and such like can play a part. We are sympathetic to that and will take all comments on board.”
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Team Asia shaded victory in the 2025 Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup as they triumphed by just one point from Europe in an exciting finish to the Ascot contest.
The teams were slightly different this year with the Ladies side no longer featuring, although there were leading female jockeys on three different squads.
Hollie Doyle captained Great Britain and Ireland, leading Joanna Mason and Robbie Dolan, but they finished six points off the top in third, with the Rest of the World fourth.
Team Asia won two races, with Indian jockey Suraj Narredu successful on Fireblade (13-2) in the Stayers and Ryusei Sakai of Japan winning on Prince Of India (100-30 favourite) in the Sprint.
However, it was Mirai Iwata’s second on Cerulean Bay in the closing Mile which clinched the trophy.
Team Asia’s Ryusei Sakai (left), Suraj Narredu and Mirai Iwata (right) celebrate (Adam Davy/PA)
Captain Narredu said: “I am absolutely delighted. To win the Shergar Cup on my debut is the icing on the cake after my winner. I know this is a new team that was introduced this year. I am sure in future they will be a force to be reckoned with.
“The Asian team deserves to get recognition and I am proud to captain the team. It was a fabulous for us to get two winners and some place points from the six races.
“We all enjoyed ourselves and it is a big deal to have come. It will be big back home in India.”
Australian Hugh Bowman, riding for the Rest of the World team, won the opening Dash on Richard Fahey’s Vintage Clarets (5-1) and claimed the Silver Saddle trophy which recognises the leading jockey, chalking up a total of 32 points and finishing ahead of Europe’s Per-Anders Graberg on 26.
Hugh Bowman after victory in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Dash with Vintage Clarets (Adam Davy/PA)
“I’ve had a good afternoon, obviously I won the first race and had a couple of others that have run very well,” said Bowman.
“It’s my second Silver Saddle, actually, in three attempts. It’s a lovely afternoon, it’s good fun.
“It’s more of a relaxed environment than your normal raceday, particularly when you’re riding against jockeys from different corners of the world. It’s usually a major race and the stakes are very high and it’s very important for everyone so this is, important as it is, it’s a little more relaxed and it’s been a great afternoon.
“It’s a good afternoon and I’m very proud to have won the Silver Saddle again and it’s great to see the raceogers come and support the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup because it is a wonderful annual event and it is recognised globally and it’s great to be a part of it.”
Team Europe jockey Per-Anders Graberg celebrates after winning on Ebt’s Guard (Adam Davy/PA)
Each of the six Ascot races were won by different riders, with Graberg landing the Mile event on Ebt’s Guard (13-2) while his fellow Team Europe rider Delphine Santiago struck on 7-4 favourite Tenability in the Classic.
Dolan, who moved to Australia almost 10 years ago and sprang to prominence as the ‘singing jockey’ on TV show The Voice, broke into a chorus of “We Are The Champions” after guiding 11-4 favourite Night Breeze to a popular victory in the Challenge.
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Aidan O’Brien is harbouring Group One hopes for Diamond Necklace after a straightforward success over a better-fancied stablemate in the Grand Hotel Malahide Irish EBF Fillies Juvenile Race at the Curragh.
A St Mark’s Basilica half-sister to top-level scorers Chicquita and Magic Wand, Diamond Necklace was sent off a 9-1 shot under Wayne Lordan on her debut, with Ryan Moore opting to ride Minerva instead.
Moore’s mount raced prominently throughout and as Diamond Necklace really hit her stride in the closing stages, Minerva had no answer and had to settle for a length-and-a-half defeat.
O’Brien is anticipating plenty of progress from the winner and said: “She’s a lovely filly with a great pedigree.
“Her dad didn’t win a maiden for another three weeks so that’s St Mark’s Basilica for you. He went on to win the Dewhurst and how he improved from two to three was incredible.
“She could end up being one for the Fillies’ Mile with maybe a run or two in between. She’s going to be lovely next year.”
Paddy Power make Diamond Necklace a 25-1 chance for next year’s 1000 Guineas.
O’Brien and Moore had claimed the preceding Audi Naas Irish EBF Maiden in style as Mission Central (4-1) galloped home eight lengths clear of Chicago Pope.
The son of No Nay Never was out of the places on his initial outing in April but O’Brien felt a subsequent gelding operation had the desired effect.
He said: “We ran him in Dundalk the first day and he was a bit worse than green, so that’s why we took him home and gelded him.
“He’s been perfect since and we’ll go up to a Listed or Group race with him next time. He’s a very quick horse.”
Geryon sprang an 18-1 surprise for Ger Lyons in the opening Revamp Conservation And Restoration Irish EBF Maiden, although the trainer was not shocked to see Colin Keane’s mount prevail.
He said: “We have two colts that we like, this fella and Res Ipsa who ran at Leopardstown on Thursday. Res Ipsa fluffed his lines so I suppose it took away confidence and hence his starting price, but they are two similar horses.
“You would like to think there would be plenty of improvement as it was his first day away from Glenburnie and first day on turf.
“The best-looking horse I had by Lope de Vega was Endless Drama, who was second in the Guineas, and this is the second best one I’ve had by him. He’s a very good-looking colt.”
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Dance To The Music maintained her unbeaten record for Charlie Appleby with a narrow Group Three verdict in the Newsells Park Stud Sweet Solera Stakes at Newmarket.
The filly was a length winner under Billy Loughnane on the Rowley Mile back in May and the duo were reunited on the July course, being sent off an 11-4 chance upped to seven furlongs.
Loughnane sat behind pacesetter Venetian Lace but had enough up his sleeve in the dying strides to make sure Dance To The Music held off the late charge of Princess Petrol by a neck, with Venetian Lace half a length back in third.
Appleby knows the family well having trained the winner’s brother Space Blues to win three Group Ones, culminating with Breeders’ Cup Mile glory in 2021.
The Godolphin handler said: “That was very pleasing. She is a filly who is a full-sister to Space Blues and so your heart sometimes rules your head when you get involved with these pedigrees. She is so much more forward than Space Blues, who didn’t run until November at Nottingham.
“This filly came out in the spring and Billy rode her that day on the Rowley Mile. He said she was very weak and raw, which she was really. We have given her all the time to do what she needs to do at this stage of her career and the step up to seven – we felt it was the right time to do it.
“She has that turn of foot as well which Billy used today. When you have got a Charlie Johnston horse on the front end, you have got to respect that and sit close to its girth. Billy said I was never going to outstay one of theirs, so he used that acceleration he had underneath him, and I think that was probably the winning of the race.”
Appleby believes speed could be Dance To The Music’s forte, adding: “What we saw with Space Blues, as he got older and stronger he got quicker. I think this filly will do the same. Billy said she is still raw and weak and I think she is only going to improve with time under her girth.”
Paddy Power cut Dance To The Music to 14-1 for next year’s 1000 Guineas, but Coral left her unchanged at 20-1 for Classic glory.
Zanthos could take on the colts in the Solario Stakes after a cosy three-length victory in the Tattersalls £40,000 EBF “Newcomers” Maiden Fillies’ Stakes.
A €1million breeze-up buy in May, Zanthos was sent off the 4-5 favourite for trainers Simon and Ed Crisford and the result never really looked in doubt as Oisin Murphy’s mount eased away from Classic Cuvee with the minimum of fuss.
Paddy Power make Zanthos a 25-1 chance for next year’s 1000 Guineas and Simon Crisford hopes she will rank highly.
He told Racing TV: “She showed a nice turn of foot, lots of quality, she’s a very good-looking filly and her mind is very good as well now. I think she’s a filly that will take us to the top table, hopefully.
“We will talk to Shaikh Khalid (of owners KHK Racing) first but the Prestige will come too quick in two weeks’ time, don’t really want to step her up to a mile just yet for the May Hill so maybe we’ll look at something like the Solario Stakes against colts at Sandown. The timing of the race is perfect for her, three weeks today.”
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2.81074224-scaled.jpg12802560Geegeez Newshttps://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.pngGeegeez News2025-08-09 16:24:272025-08-09 16:24:27Dance To The Music strikes for Appleby and Loughnane
True Love suffered a shock defeat as Power Blue turned around previous form to win the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh.
The Adrian Murray-trained Power Blue was beaten five and three-quarter lengths by Aidan O’Brien’s True Love in the Railway Stakes last time out and as a result she was sent off a 1-4 favourite in the absence of stablemate Gstaad, who was a non runner.
Power Blue was one of two runners for Amo Racing along with Do Bronxs and the pair were prominent from the off, with Ryan Moore sitting on their heels aboard True Love.
Do Bronxs dropped away quickly when the race began in earnest and it looked as though True Love was coming to win with a furlong to run but 10-1 shot Power Blue was incredibly game for jockey David Egan, digging deep to repel her challenge by a length and a half.
It was a further length and three-quarters back to Green Sense in third.
Power Blue reversed previous form with True Love (Damien Eagers/PA)
Egan said: “He wears his heart on his sleeve. We went hard all the way with that tailwind. I’m sure we went fast fractions, and we really ran them into the ground. It was a really tough performance.
“I was glad when I jumped out of the gates and the fancied one (True Love) was on my left. I always kept an eye on her. I could have stayed straight, but I just angled over so he would have something to fight against because he loves a battle. That was key.”
The winning connections were completing a quickfire double after Bucanero Fuerte landed the Group Three Phoenix Sprint Stakes and Egan added: “It’s fantastic, a mega day.
“It’s my first Group One for Amo, which is huge for myself and the team. So much hard work goes into it and Kia puts a lot into the game. He obviously had his critics but to give him a day like this is a proud day.
“I knew the second half of the season was going to be better than the first half for us, and the second year better than the first, and the third year better than the second. It’s all about giving it time.”
Murray said: “I’ve never had a better day in racing. The two horses looked amazing today.
“I said to Robson (Aguiar, assistant trainer) coming down here that he’s got bigger and stronger and is improving all year. He was entitled to take his chance and has never run a bad race.
“He had a brilliant run in Ascot and is improving all year.
“A furlong out I was starting to think the filly wasn’t getting to him. She was starting to come under pressure, and he was still in his comfort zone.”
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2.81218738-scaled.jpg12802560Geegeez Newshttps://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.pngGeegeez News2025-08-09 15:16:282025-08-09 15:40:15Power Blue downs True Love in Phoenix shock
Bucanero Fuerte secured a game front-running success in the Group Three FBD Hotels And Resorts Phoenix Sprint Stakes at the Curragh.
The four-year-old won the Group One Phoenix Stakes at this fixture in 2023 and after a mixed run of luck last year, he was retired to stand at stud.
However, Bucanero Fuerte’s stallion career was unsuccessful and he returned to the care of Adrian Murray, winning at Naas in May before a setback derailed subsequent plans at Royal Ascot.
Back in top form for this contest, David Egan took the initiative early on and while Art Power tried to match him, Bucanero Fuerte (11-2) looked to have his measure with a furlong to run.
My Mate Alfie and Kind Of Blue both made their bids for glory in the final of six furlongs, but Bucanero Fuerte was just too strong, going on to win by a length and quarter.
Owner Kia Joorabchian, who runs his horses under the Amo Racing banner, said: “A lot of credit to Adrian (Murray) and Robson (Aguiar) for the training performance there and David gave him an unbelievable ride – just the way he likes to be ridden.
“He’s a tough horse who has given us a lot of joy and a lot of tough days as well with health scares. He had a colic issue at Ascot (this year).
“I’m glad to see him back happy on the track. We’re definitely not taking him out of Ireland now for a while!
“He could be aimed at the Flying Five as he loves the Curragh.”
Looking forward to the second half of the season, Joorabchian added: “We have much deeper pedigrees and I’m expecting a better second half and we’ll be in a very good place to lead into next year.”
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2.81218543-scaled.jpg12802560Geegeez Newshttps://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.pngGeegeez News2025-08-09 15:04:412025-08-09 15:04:41Bucanero Fuerte fends them all off at the Curragh
Gstaad could be rerouted to the Prix Morny at Deauville after bypassing Saturday’s Keeneland Phoenix Stakes.
Aidan O’Brien’s Coventry Stakes winner was due to clash with his fellow Royal Ascot-winning stablemate True Love in the Curragh Group One but the handler was not totally satisfied with Gstaad’s condition on Friday.
After overnight monitoring, O’Brien opted to declare Gstaad a non-runner and as long as the son of Starspangledbanner returns to form in the coming days, he could seek consolation in the French Group One on August 24.
O’Brien said: “He had no temperature and everything was right, but he didn’t eat up.
“Looking at that type of thing, he could have a temperature tomorrow and if he has a temperature tomorrow, every hour he has a temperature he needs a week off.
“If he doesn’t have a temperature and nothing is wrong in the next few days he’ll go to Deauville for the Morny.
“The original plan for the filly (True Love) was to go for the Morny. I don’t know why I left her in (the Phoenix Stakes) but there was something in my head and that’s what happened and how it is.
“Sometimes when you are looking at them every day it’s a feeling you get.”
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2.80691254-1-scaled.jpg12802560Geegeez Newshttps://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.pngGeegeez News2025-08-09 14:52:132025-08-09 14:52:13Gstaad given Prix Morny option after missing Phoenix
Royal Dubai continued his perfect start for trainer Owen Burrows as he pounced late to claim the Betfred Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock.
Previously trained by Marco Botti, Royal Dubai switched to Burrows’ care after two unsuccessful British runs in April and June, but he struck gold in Listed company at Newbury on his yard debut last month.
Upped to Group Three level here, the 9-4 joint favourite was anchored towards the rear by Callum Rodriguez through the early stages but when the gaps came in the final furlong, Royal Dubai had the necessary speed to take advantage and pipped Military Order by a neck on the line, with Haunted Dream back in third.
Rodriguez told Racing TV: “It was a good performance. We were drawn on the inside, he’s a horse that enjoys a bit of cover and passing horses so we were never going to be in a rush.
“I was a little bit worried up the straight that we weren’t going to get the splits but he was all there for me when we did and he’s picked up well to the line.”
Suite Francaise benefited from a perfectly-judged front-running ride to win the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Dick Hern Stakes.
Joe Fanning had the 15-2 shot smartly away and she never looked like being passed, claiming a two-length success over Never Let Go.
Winning trainer Charlie Johnston knows the family well with his father having trained the dam, Francophilia for owner Kirsten Rausing while Suite Francaise’s sister Francophone was a Listed victor for the trainer last term.
He was represented by his mother Deirdre, who said: “They’re all superstars and such lovely horses to have at home and look after. Joe said she was so quiet down at the start he was hoping she was all right as she was so well behaved.
“He said she was never going to get beat, she was out there in front, really enjoying it and when he kicked, off she went.
“It was fantastic. She’s done nothing wrong and black type is a big thing for Kirsten, we’ve got big black type but in Group company would be even better.”
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