Tag Archive for: Curragh

Curragh sprint mission possible for Iberian

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Charlie Hills has his eye on a trip to Ireland next with Iberian, as the four-year-old continues his sprinting renaissance.

Encouraged by the son of Lope De Vega’s first two starts over six furlongs – including when denied in agonising fashion in Doncaster’s Cammidge Trophy last month – connections could now send Iberian to the Group Two Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh on May 24.

Hills said: “He’s got an entry in the 1895 Duke Of York Stakes (May 14) and also the Greenlands over in Ireland and I think I would be favouring the latter, as the Curragh will suit him well.”

The Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot, which Hills has won for the past two years with Khaadem, could also enter the equation later in the summer for Iberian, who strengthens the hand the Lambourn trainer possesses in the sprint ranks.

Hills added: “He fits in perfectly with our other sprinters and there’s a couple of options. Either York or the Curragh would be nice timing for him ahead of Royal Ascot and the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes.

“It was a terrific run at Doncaster and we were delighted. He just lost his way coming to the furlong marker and I think he would gone pretty close had he not done that, but he’s learning his trade and it was just his second start over six furlongs and he looks an exciting horse for the sprint division.”

Murray mulling Marble Hill prep for Power Blue

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Adrian Murray could be tempted to give his exciting two-year-old Power Blue another run before the Marble Hill Stakes next month.

The son of Space Blues landed the opening juvenile maiden of the Irish Flat season at the Curragh last month, giving Murray a third consecutive success after Arizona Blaze and Bucanero Fuerte triumphed in the last two years.

With the Marble Hill not until May 5 and then another five weeks until Royal Ascot, Murray may roll the dice before then.

“Everything is good with him, he’s strengthened and grown up for the race, he’s a lovely horse,” said Murray.

“I don’t think he’s just a two-year-old, he’s the kind of horse that will be training on – he’s a big, scopey horse.

“For a horse who won so early, he’s not your normal early type. His sire, Space Blues, only ran once at two. Looking at him, I think he can only go on, very much like Bucanero Fuerte, that type.

“He’ll probably go for the Marble Hill, we might even give him a run somewhere first, as he had a bit of a break after his debut.”

Another nice horse who won first time out for Murray is Titanium Emperor, with the well-bred three-year-old scoring at Dundalk.

“He’s a horse who has shown plenty of potential, so with a bit of luck it will work out for him,” Murray said of the half-brother to My Prospero.

“He’s a little tricky to place. It might have been more straightforward had he finished second or third and then won as we’re almost forced to go into the deep end a bit, but it’s great to have him, it’s a nice problem to have.

“We’ve nothing specific in mind, but he’s a nice horse for sure.”

Galen gets the better of Jan Brueghel at the Curragh

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Galen enjoyed a step up in trip and made the most of his race fitness to lower the colours of Jan Brueghel and win the Tote.ie Alleged Stakes at the Curragh.

Joseph O’Brien’s four-year-old has not long returned from a spell in Dubai, where he made only the minor placings in a trio of races over nine furlongs.

He was tasked with an extra furlong when back on home turf at Group Three level and was swift out of the stalls to lead for the whole race, beating 4-5 favourite Jan Brueghel – winner of last year’s St Leger at Doncaster for Aidan O’Brien – by two and a half lengths.

“He’s always been a good horse and he ran well in Dubai a few times where he just didn’t get the rub of the green, didn’t break and had a few bad draws,” said O’Brien of his 6-1 winner.

“He obviously had the fitness edge. Dylan (Browne McMonagle) didn’t think there was much pace and was happy to go to the front and it was a good performance.

“If you look at his form his best runs are probably when he was ridden very positive.

“He just struggled when he went up in class to get to the lead over a mile. I think the step up in trip has allowed him to get to the front again.

“I think he does enjoy being ridden like that and the cheekpieces helped him concentrate.”

When asked if the Tattersalls Gold Cup could be a target, the trainer added: “We’d have to look at the Mooresbridge first, and then why not?

“He’s a fun horse and I’m delighted for his ownership group. Barry Taylor bought into him and there is Paul Redmond, Ger Fitzgerald and Barry Fowler. They are lovely guys and have had horses for a long time. This lad is a smart horse.”

One Look’s the business in Park Express win for Twomey

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Paddy Twomey’s One Look hit her stride immediately for the season with a smart win in the Lodge Park Stud Irish EBF Park Express Stakes at the Curragh.

The filly was ridden by Billy Lee and went off a 9-2 chance in the Group Three, returning to the scene of her impressive Goffs Million win on debut as a two-year-old.

There have been two wins at Listed level in the meantime, but she has always been held in higher regard than that by connections.

The reason for that estimation of her abilities was well demonstrated at the Curragh, where she ran prominently and easily saw off all rivals to score by a length and three quarters.

“I was hoping that she’d do something like that,” said Twomey.

“I told the lads last November that we’d aim for the Park Express. I looked for it in the calendar on the first day and it was missing! They moved it and it probably suited us.

“She’s a filly that didn’t blossom at the start of last year and we gave her a chance, then she did well in the Autumn.

“We decided when she was second in Gowran the last day not to race on at that stage with this year in mind. It’s great that the owners have been patient with me.

“She’s tough and I think a mile is the minimum for now, 10 furlongs will be well within her compass. She’ll have an entry in the Lanwades Stakes.

“She’s a Group winner now and we’ll try and go as far up the ladder as we can for the rest of the year. We’ll take our time.

“The ability was never in question it was just last spring she wasn’t ready to do what the world expected her to do. She’ll probably prove yet that she is that kind of filly.”

Green Sense made an immediate impression when striking on debut for Joseph O’Brien.

The Starman filly, who is owned by Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, was ridden by Dylan Browne McMonagle in the Tote Never Beaten By SP Irish EBF Maiden over six furlongs.

She made light work of a field of 10 as the 5-2 favourite and strode across the line three lengths to the good, bringing into focus bigger aims and an early-season target at Royal Ascot.

“She looks very nice. I’m delighted for Simon and Isaac and for Anthony Bromley, who bought her as a yearling,” said O’Brien.

“She’s a well-bred filly and obviously the sire has had a good start to his career.

“We liked what we saw at home and thought she was ready to run well but didn’t expect her to win like that, I didn’t expect her to win to be honest.

“I thought she need the run and there was a nice fillies’ race for her in two weeks’ time that we’d come back for.

“She’s pretty smart and that’s what the smart ones do. She was really professional and she has a very straightforward attitude.

“You’d imagine she’ll have no problem with seven (furlongs) eventually. The dream is that she might be an Ascot filly.

“Cowardofthecounty won this race last year and we went straight to the Coventry.

“I slightly regretted not giving him another run so I think we’d probably look to go either to the Marble Hill or Naas with this filly and then Ascot.”

The Tote Multiples Available On Tote.ie Irish EBF Maiden was then won by Daniel James Murphy’s No Return, who prevailed at 6-1 under Colin Keane to get his head in front on his 12th racecourse start.

“We ran him last Sunday in Cork but he didn’t travel well in the lorry, he got very keyed up and sweaty,” said Murphy.

“We left him in the paddock for the week and I only train a mile from the track here. He put back on the weight that he lost. It’s great to win.”

Mathan on the money at the Curragh

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Mathan thrived for a step up in trip to open his account in taking fashion at the Curragh.

Sent off the 1-2 favourite for the Follow @ToteRacing On X Maiden in the hands of Dylan Browne McMonagle, Joseph O’Brien’s son of Kodiac turned on the afterburners in the final furlong to put clear daylight between him and his rivals, delivering a bloodless three-and-a-quarter-length verdict.

O’Brien said: “He ran well the last day and it looked that seven (furlongs) would suit him well. He’s won nicely today and has probably run to a similar level.

“Dylan kept it simple on him. He’s a straightforward colt and hopefully he can progress.

“It’s nice to have a smart colt for Dean Reeves and Barry Fowler, two lovely people who have supported me well over the years.

“He’ll probably be rated in the mid-80s, and I don’t think it’s unrealistic to say that he might end up in stakes races eventually.”

Miami Destination showed great tenacity to win the opening Shouldvebeenaring, New For 2025 At The Irish National Stud Irish EBF Maiden.

Adrian Murray’s youngster was sent off the 9-4 favourite after Gavin Cromwell’s fancied Joyful Tidings was one of two to bolt on the way to the post.

Having led early before being headed a furlong out, Wayne Lordan conjured extra effort late on to rally and reclaim the lead from Jack Davison’s Oh Cecelia.

“We knew going out that she’d have no bother going six or seven (furlongs) down the road,” said Murray.

“Wayne said she needed a bit of company, and she won well at the line.

“The ground wouldn’t have been an issue for us.

“Hopefully it’s upwards and onwards now and we’ll probably find a stakes race back here in May.”

There was compensation for Cromwell when J M’s Joy (11-2) won the Irish Stallion Farms EBF 3yo Spring Series Median Auction Fillies Maiden, while Fozzy Stack’s consistent Two Stars showed a liking for the Curragh once again when a clear winner of the Tote Never Beaten By SP Handicap.

Two Stars won well for Fozzy Stack
Two Stars won well for Fozzy Stack (Alan Magee/PA)

The five-year-old has some smart form to his name and was registering his third career success at the 85-40 favourite.

“He’s improving with age. He’s just one of those late maturing sprinters that is filling into himself the whole time,” said Stack.

“He’s a big striding horse and you don’t need to get into a row with him.

“He ran well in Doncaster last year, but you won’t see him running over six furlongs again.

“He likes that ground and will probably have to go up in class now.

“He could go for one of those races at Naas either side of Punchestown.”

Meanwhile, Sheila Lavery’s Pickersgill could have a bright future having broken her maiden status in the Visit The Irish National Stud & Gardens Maiden.

Lavery said: “She’s been training very well but is just a bit opinionated around the parade ring.

“Robbie (Colgan, jockey) said she wasn’t doing a tap out in front and then she spooked at the 200-yard yellow marker. She then picked up and went on again.

“I think she’s an awful lot better than what she showed there. She was a bit fresh and buzzy there on her first run (of the year). She is going the right way, and I think she will keep improving.”

Big Gossey is Gladness Stakes star

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Big Gossey showed plenty of heart to continue his Curragh love affair and claim the feature Lester Piggott Gladness Stakes on Saturday.

Trained by Charles O’Brien, the 70-plus race veteran has an impressive record at the home of Irish Flat racing but at the age of eight was enjoying one of his finest hours as he produced a gutsy display to register his 10th career victory and eighth at this particular venue.

Sent off a 7-1 chance and travelling kindly in the hands of Billy Lee, he took the lead from Karl Burke’s wavering favourite Poet Master with a furlong to run and showed the utmost bravery to repel the dual challenge from the Aidan O’Brien-trained pair of Camille Pissarro (second) and Officer (third) in the dying strides.

Charles O’Brien said: “I thought the seventh furlong might just find him out. I think if it had been six furlongs today, he’d have won easier. Billy said he was just hanging on.

“We knew he was fit and an eight-year-old on that ground against three-year-olds, it doesn’t matter how much weight they are getting, it’s very hard for younger horses to take on a battle-hardened one like him.

“Gary O’Brien, who leads him up, does 90% of the work with him. He doesn’t need a lot of work, but Gary does different things to keep him happy.

Big Gossey thrives at the Curragh
Big Gossey thrives at the Curragh (Niall Carson/PA)

“When he arrived in the door, I didn’t think he’d ever be doing this. A Gutaifan with no pedigree of any description – a box walker, a cribber and a horrible horse to deal with in the stable but that’s the way it works!

“Today was his 40th run here and his eighth win at the track.”

Poet Master seeking Gladness gold on seasonal bow

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Poet Master returns to the scene of his finest hour for the Lester Piggott Gladness Stakes at the Curragh on Saturday.

Karl Burke’s charge secured the biggest victory of his nine-race career so far at the home of Irish Flat racing last summer when running away with the Group Two Minstrel Stakes in the hands of Sam James.

The five-year-old went on to finish fifth in both Doncaster’s Park Stakes and the Prix de la Foret at ParisLongchamp and with opportunities to make his return on home soil thin on the ground, he travels back to Ireland for his reappearance at Listed level this weekend.

Burke said: “He’s a horse who has wintered really well, he’s definitely strengthened physically from the winter.

“It’s not ideal going away that far for his first run of the season and I’m sure he’ll come on for it, but there is no seven-furlong race I can run him in here until the first weekend of May at Haydock, which seems ridiculous.

“I thought about running him over six furlongs in the Cammidge Trophy at Doncaster on Saturday but he’s not qualified because he won a Group Two last year, so we were a bit snookered and that’s why we’ve sent him over to Ireland.

“He’s in great form and looks really well, but I’m sure he’ll come on slightly for the run.”

Poet Master heads an 11-strong field, with Aidan O’Brien saddling the two three-year-old participants in Camille Pissarro and Officer.

Camille Pissarro rounded off a busy juvenile campaign with a Group One victory in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere on Arc weekend, while Officer won over this course and distance on his sole start to date.

Joe Murphy’s Lord Massusus, the Charles O’Brien-trained Big Gossey and Jessica Harrington’s recent Naas scorer Hurricane Ivor also feature in a competitive event.

White Birch on course to defend Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh

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White Birch has defending his Tattersalls Gold Cup crown as the primary objective for the start of the new Flat turf season.

The Curragh Group One, which John Joseph Murphy’s stable star impressed in when downing Auguste Rodin 12 months ago, will be the centrepiece of White Birch’s early-season plans as the five-year-old seeks to make up for time lost last season.

“He’s wintered very well and looks superb and we couldn’t be happier with how he’s training,” said George Murphy, assistant to his father.

“We’ll more than likely start off at the Curragh, we’ll probably skip the Group Three (Alleged Stakes, April 12) and head to the Mooresbridge (Stakes, Curragh, May 5) and then we’ll go on to the Tattersalls Gold Cup (May 25), that I think will be the plan.

“Hopefully he gets there in one piece, but he’s in good shape at the moment anyway.”

White Birch started 2024 in imperious form, winning his first three starts before a setback curtailed his progress, missing an intended assignment at Royal Ascot and also having to sit out the Eclipse and Juddmonte International before connections eventually called time on his season in early September.

However, the grey is back in full training with his team fully confident he is firmly over any issues and now eyeing further Group One riches with the high-class son of Ulysses.

White Birch started last season in fine form
White Birch started last season in fine form (Healy Racing/PA)

“He’s got no issues at all, thank God, and we’re very pleased with how he is,” continued Murphy.

“I think we’ll probably follow the 10-furlong Pattern and he’s a Group One winner at that distance. But I wouldn’t see why we wouldn’t explore a mile and a half also – he’s got plenty of options so we’ll aim at the Tattersalls Gold Cup, regroup and then make a further plan with the owners.”

Orandi sprints home for Irish Lincolnshire honours

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Tony Martin’s Orandi came with a powerful late charge to take the honours in the Nua Healthcare Irish Lincolnshire at the Curragh.

Shane Foley had a wall of horses in front of him two furlongs out but, once negotiating a route around them, his mount made an immediate and decisive move forward.

Kortez Bay also came through at a similar point and the pair put plenty of daylight between them and the main pack, but Orandi proved the stronger to score by three-quarters of a length at 10-1.

Smooth Tom finished just under five lengths back in third, with Indigo Five and the well-backed Gleneagle Bay faring best of the rest in the €100,000 mile contest.

Orandi certainly was not winning out of turn after being placed in his final six starts last season and had worked well in a recent racecourse gallop.

Martin said, “We were fortunate to have a very good rider on the day and it all worked out.

“He was always missing the break, but he rode him twice last year and was confident he would get him out sharp, which he did today.

“Originally, Wayne Hassett was due to ride him and there were cross communications, which was unfortunate for him and fortunate for Foley. I thought 5lb would be a big help, but it worked out well.

Curragh Races – Sunday March 16th
Shane Foley after winning with Orandi at the Curragh (Evan Treacy/PA).

“He did a sparkling bit of work at Leopardstown a few weeks ago. When he ran here last year, we said we’d put him by for the English one or this race. He does want a dig in it and that’s why he doesn’t run during the summer.

“The jockey was excellent as he broke sharp and the pace was strong, so he gave him a chance. Throughout the race, you’d be confident that he’d run well and we were just hoping there wouldn’t be one or two better than him.

“He’s in the English Lincoln but I doubt if he’ll run. He was ready to peak there today and we’ll probably sit on our laurels for a while.”

Power Blue makes Curragh impact

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Adrian Murray made it three straight wins in the opening race of Ireland’s Flat turf season as Power Blue ran out a convincing victor in the Castle Star At Capital Stud Irish EBF Maiden at the Curragh.

David Egan always had the 5-2 chance in a prominent position and he responded well when challenged around the furlong pole, striding clear to beat 13-8 favourite Slaney View by three and three-quarter lengths.

Murray claimed this contest with Bucanero Fuerte in 2023 and Arizona Blaze 12 months ago, with both going on to be placed at Royal Ascot and proving top-class juveniles.

Bucanero Fuerte secured Group One success in the Phoenix Stakes, while Arizona Blaze was second in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint.

Curragh Races – Sunday March 16th
Connections of Power Blue after winning at the Curragh (Evan Treacy/PA).

Asked if Power Blue could end up in similar company, Egan said: “Why not? He won by a wider margin today than Arizona Blaze, who is a Breeders’ Cup placed horse. Bucanero Fuerte probably won in similar fashion, but he’s a nice horse.

“Adrian and his team have done a terrific job. He was well prepared and the ultimate professional.

“He travelled with such ease, showed a little bit of greenness but really quickened up in the last 100 yards and galloped out all the way to the boards afterwards.

“He’ll be getting a bit further than five furlongs – that’s for sure.

“He’s a nice horse and there is sure to be plenty of improvement.”

Irish 1,000 Guineas entry Bint Queen Kindly justified 2-1 favouritism when finishing strongly to land the Alkumait At Capital Stud Fillies & Mares Maiden over seven furlongs for Dermot Weld and Chris Hayes.

Curragh Races – Sunday March 16th
Bint Queen Kindly winning at the Curragh (Evan Treacy/PA).

The daughter of Night Of Thunder was making her racecourse debut and kept on well to beat the experienced Copacabana Sands by a length and a quarter, with that pair pulling well ahead of the rest in a 20-runner affair.

Hayes said: “We liked her last year and were kind of anxious to run her at the back-end and the boss rightly decided to give her just a bit of time to come into herself.

“Hopefully we’ll reap the rewards. She’d been working nicely and hopefully she’ll improve.

“Anything is possible, she wasn’t over-cooked for today. We’d got plenty of groundwork into her but I’d be hopeful she’ll improve from it.”

Weld added: “She’d been working nicely and is potentially a very nice filly. Chris gave her a very nice ride. I wanted him to teach her on her first run and she quickened up nicely.”

Hamish hits the target in Finale Stakes

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William Haggas’ much-loved Hamish gave connections another reason to be proud when winning the Curragh On Course Bookmakers Finale Stakes.

The eight-year-old is a seasoned campaigner with eight Group Three titles to his name and was most recently seen finishing just half a length behind Francis-Henri Graffard’s King George winner Goliath in the Prix du Conseil de Paris.

His Curragh assignment was a step down in grade to Listed level and he was the 10-11 favourite under Richard Kingscote, but those odds were made to look perfectly justified as he cantered to an easy five-length win.

“I think that’s what we wanted to see and what we know he can do. We got a nice run around from a good draw,” the rider said.

“Mr Haggas asked me to be handy. He did ask me not to be in front too long, so that bit was not ideal, but he got his head down and did everything right. That ground is what they look for with him.

“He’s mixed it with some very good stayers and has been a very good servant. The Haggas family are very fond of him.”

Mark Fahey’s Rhythm King took home a decent pot in the Curragh On Course Bookmakers Premier Handicap.

Ridden by Dylan Brown McMonagle at odds of 14-1, the four-year-old built on a good success last time out to come home half a length to the good.

Fahey said of the gelding: “He is very tough and genuine.

“I didn’t think today was going to be a day for him as he always wins going around a bend.

“He had a hard enough race in Galway but he’s tough and had a light weight on his back today. He’s not the biggest horse in the world and everything fell right for him.

“It’s great for Claire and Andrew (Lennon, owner-breeders) to win a premier handicap here and he’s one to look forward to for next year.”

Dawn rises to the challenge in Loughbrown Stakes

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Dawn Rising battled to success in the Comer Group International Loughbrown Stakes as part of a treble for Dylan Browne McMonagle at the Curragh.

Trained by Joseph O’Brien and owned by JP McManus, the Galileo seven-year-old has taken part in some high-class contests both over hurdles and on the Flat.

Third in the Grade One Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle in 2023 and then third in the Irish St Leger later the same year, the bay has been a consistent and versatile performer for the yard.

Last seen finishing a good fifth in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket, he was a 6-4 shot under McMonagle at Group Three level at the Curragh.

He was ridden patiently as Aidan O’Brien’s Lily Hart led, but as the race progressed Dawn Rising began to reel her in and was resolute to take a half-length success.

Frank Berry, racing manager for McManus, said: “He was good and tough. He ran a good race in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket and this race suited him as they went a good pace and he stayed on best up the straight.

“Hopefully he’ll be back for those sorts of races next year and he’s run at Royal Ascot the last couple of years.

“The handicapper may have caught up with him a bit, but he’ll be competitive in those Group Threes.

“It’s hard to get those sort of horses. He doesn’t mind the ground, whether it is good or heavy, and hasn’t lost any of his enthusiasm.”

McMonagle’s afternoon started on a high note when he teamed up with Joseph O’Brien to take the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden aboard Kibris at 5-1 and in the Curragh On Course Bookmakers Premier Handicap, he was the winner aboard Mark Fahey’s 14-1 chance Rhythm King.

Whirl surprises stablemate with Staffordstown success

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Whirl upstaged her better fancied stablemate Giselle to claim Group Three honours in the Staffordstown Stud Stakes at the Curragh.

Second to high-class stablemate Bedtime Story as an odds-on favourite for her debut at Leopardstown in June, Giselle went one better at this venue earlier in the month, seeing her move towards the top of ante-post lists for next year’s 1000 Guineas.

The Frankel filly was a 10-11 shot to enhance her Classic claims under Ryan Moore, but after being given a patient ride she was unable to pick up sufficiently from her wide position and passed the post a close-up fourth, but was later promoted to third following a stewards’ inquiry.

Whirl, who had opened her account at the third time of asking at Doncaster last month, dug deep from the front end in the hands of Wayne Lordan to secure top honours by half a length from Joseph O’Brien’s And So To Bed.

“I’m delighted with them, they ran very well. Ryan’s filly was a bit babyish and a bit green. He was trying to teach her, which was the right thing to do,” said O’Brien.

“He was delighted with her. He said she wasn’t there yet, he said she got there and got a little bit tired with him. She had a big hold-up and I ran her because I thought we’d get Ryan over because I needed him to sit on her again. The experience will do her good for next year.

“Wayne’s filly has more experience, she got out there and is tough and found plenty. He gave her a lovely ride, he went his pace and was left alone in front.

“It’s amazing with those Wootton Bassetts, one after another they are coming. They just get better the more you train them.”

Rubies Are Red was a deserved winner
Rubies Are Red was a deserved winner (Gary Carson/PA)

The Ballydoyle handler went on to complete a double, with Rubies Are Red belatedly breaking her duck in the Bill Hanlon Memorial Fillies Maiden.

The Galileo filly was second in the Lingfield Oaks Trial in the spring and went on to contest the Oaks at Epsom, the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Irish Oaks at the Curragh without managing to trouble the judge.

She was a beaten favourite in successive maiden starts after that and came up short in a Group Three last time out, but finally got the job done under Moore, scoring by three-quarters of a length as a 2-1 market leader.

“He gave her a class ride, as always. She has a lot of ability and Ryan said she’d be way better in a better race,” said O’Brien.

“That’s important for her. There is probably not much left for her, there is the Finale Stakes back here on the last day (of the season) and we might see her again in that.”

Joseph O’Brien had earlier unearthed a potential Classic prospect in the form of impressive debut winner Saracen.

The Acclamation colt was snapped up for €500,000 as a yearling last summer and was a 3-1 shot for his introduction in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.

Always travelling well in the hands of Dylan Browne McMonagle, Saracen quickened up smartly once given his head and passed the post with four lengths in hand over Pickersgill.

Saracen with connections at the Curragh (
Saracen with connections at the Curragh (Gary Carson/PA)

“He was impressive, he’s a nice colt and had been showing up well at home,” said O’Brien.

“He was going to make his debut a few weeks ago but just had a little setback.

“He quickened up really smartly there and looks like a smart horse for next season.

“I’m delighted to have what looks like a good horse for Al Shaqab and the team. They’ve been good supporters of ours.

“This guy will come back for a Guineas trial in the spring.”

Giselle puts down Classic marker for O’Brien at the Curragh

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Giselle added her name to Aidan O’Brien’s incredibly strong team of juvenile fillies in winning at the Curragh.

Beaten on her debut by stablemate Bedtime Story – when she returned with a cut – the regally-bred two-year-old is by Frankel out of the Breeders’ Cup-winning Newspaperofrecord and is now among the favourites for next year’s Classics.

O’Brien already has the aforementioned Bedtime Story, the unbeaten Lake Victoria, Royal Ascot winner Fairy Godmother and the promising Dreamy to look forward to next year.

Ridden by Wayne Lordan with Ryan Moore in action in France, Giselle justified 1-2 favouritism by three-quarters of a length in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden, looking value for much more.

O’Brien, speaking at ParisLongchamp, said: “I’m delighted with her, she was coming back after a long break and she’s going to be lovely we think next year.

“She had a lovely run behind Bedtime Story and got injured and was just ready to start back.”

When asked whether she would run again this season, he added: “Maybe, but maybe not, we’ll see how she is.

“She looks like a Guineas/Oaks filly.”

Chris Armstrong, O’Brien’s representative at the Curragh, said: “She’s a smashing filly, she’s a filly with a lot of class.

“Obviously there is a fair bit of hype about her from the last day and you can see today that she has come on a lot physically. She’s going to be a smashing big filly for next year.

“It’s great to get her out and get the win under her belt. We’ll see about possibly getting one more run into her, we’ll see how she comes through this.

“She’s a filly with an awful lot of class and one to look forward to next year. All being well she’ll rock up in all the big fillies’ races.

“Coming here she was only just ready to start and she was a little bit fresh in herself. Wayne said she was only half-speeding the whole way and she wasn’t too fresh throughout the run.

“It’s great that she’s doing things right.

“She’s actually like a colt, walking away from you. She’s a filly with a big engine.”

The Euphrates digs deep to claim Cesarewitch crown

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The Euphrates capped a fine afternoon for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore when bringing up a four-timer for the pair with a decisive victory in the Friends Of The Curragh Irish Cesarewitch.

Always in a handy position, the 7-2 favourite was still full of running as the field swung into the home straight, with Moore happy for his mount to stride on and make a long bid for home.

It was a move that ultimately put the race to bed and although A Piece Of Heaven and Sixandahalf were closing rapidly in the final furlong, they were never getting by Moore and his willing mount, who held a half-length advantage at the finish.

“He was very well handicapped, he ended up on a good mark. His (Irish) Leger run (fourth) was an unbelievable run,” said O’Brien.

Aidan O’Brien saddled four winners at the Curragh
Aidan O’Brien saddled four winners at the Curragh (Mike Egerton/PA)

“Ryan gave him a great ride, he got a great position and was controlling it.

“He’s an improving horse, I’d say he’s a Cup horse. He stays two (miles) and he has a bit of class, he travelled very strong at all stages.

“They were doing 12s all the way and to do that all the way in a race like that is very difficult. It’s very unusual in those distance races.”

O’Brien ruled The Euphrates out of the Melbourne Cup, with St Leger scorer Jan Brueghel set to carry Ballydoyle hopes in Flemington, and added: “He’s had a busy time and he’s probably a next year horse.

“He’s a quality stayer. He’s run a lot for a three-year-old and hasn’t exactly had an easy time, but he just kept getting better.”

The Euphrates’ victory was the final leg of a fine afternoon at the Kildare track for the Ballydoyle operation, which also saw them land the Group Three Weld Park Stakes with Heavens Gate and began with Shackleton taking the Trainor Stone And Tile Irish EBF Maiden.

The Camelot colt made all to get off the mark at the third attempt, with the 2-5 favourite appearing to book his ticket for the Group One Criterium de Saint-Cloud later in the year.

“We’re delighted with him. We were disappointed he got beat the last day but obviously Joseph’s (O’Brien) horse (Tennessee Stud) ran a big race in the Beresford yesterday,” said O’Brien.

Shackleton got off the mark in easy fashion
Shackleton got off the mark in easy fashion (Niall Carson/PA)

“Ryan was happy today, he went forward and kept it simple. He said he was very green, that it was a very strong headwind and it wasn’t easy out there.

“He said he was idling and it probably wasn’t the way to ride him ideally.

“He’s a horse that will get a trip and we could look at the mile-and-a-quarter race in Saint-Cloud for him.”

Another talented youngster shedding his maiden tag was Aftermath in the Fitzpatricks Mercedes-Benz Irish EBF Maiden, with the Champagne Stakes third romping to a five-and-a-half-length triumph as the 5-6 favourite.

Aftermath delivered in style
Aftermath delivered in style (Niall Carson/PA)

“We’re delighted with him. He had a lovely run first time in Newbury, he was very green and got left by himself,” added O’Brien.

“He ran a lovely race in Doncaster, he’s a lovely horse. A big horse to look forward to for next year.

“That was only seven and he’ll have no problem getting a mile or a mile and a quarter even next year. He’s a fine, big horse.”