Tag Archive for: Curragh

Palmer has big plans for juvenile pair

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Hugo Palmer is pondering how to split up his ace juveniles Seagulls Eleven and Wolf Of Badenoch, as both prepare to take the next step in their promising careers.

Seagulls Eleven is owned by a collective of Brighton and Hove Albion players, a syndicate headed by James Milner and also including Danny Welbeck.

The son of Galileo Gold was poised to contest the Solario Stakes last Saturday, but lacerated his tongue in the build-up to the Sandown Group Three, meaning he missed out on the opportunity to join Palmer’s Aktabantay on the roll of honour.

Seagulls Eleven in the pre-parade ring at Newmarket
Seagulls Eleven in the pre-parade ring at Newmarket (David Davies for the Jockey Club/PA)

However, the positive news is Seagulls Eleven is well on the road to recovery and could be in fighting shape in time to contest one of the key two-year-old races scheduled to take place next weekend.

“Seagulls Eleven managed to lacerate his tongue four days before he was meant to go for the Solario,” explained Palmer.

“At this stage he could go to the Champagne Stakes (at Doncaster) or the National Stakes (at the Curragh) if his mouth heals quickly and he is cantering away in a bitless bridle. We’re lucky that he has a very good temperament that allows us to do that – I certainly don’t think we could have done that with his dad.

“If we have a bit comfortably back in his mouth, which we may well do in the early part of next week, then he could go one way and then Wolf Of Badenoch could go the other.”

The Qatar Goodwood Festival – Day One – Goodwood Racecourse
Aomori City ridden by jockey William Buick (left) on their way to winning the HKJC World Pool Vintage Stakes during day one of the Qatar Goodwood Festival at the Goodwood Racecourse, Chichester. Picture date: Tuesday July 30, 2024.

Wolf Of Badenoch followed in the footsteps of Palmer’s 2000 Guineas and Royal Ascot hero Galileo Gold by running in the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood on his second start, finishing a close up second to Charlie Appleby’s Aomori City.

The Pinatubo colt made a winning debut at Doncaster prior to his run on the Sussex Downs and that Town Moor course form has Palmer leaning towards the Champagne Stakes with Wolf Of Badenoch, which would open the door for Seagulls Eleven to step up to Group One level in Ireland the following day.

“Wolf Of Badenoch is in great shape and we’re slightly in two minds as to whether we go to Doncaster or to the Curragh,” continued Palmer.

“I think just because he won his maiden at Doncaster, I’m quite keen on the Champagne Stakes for him and if that was the case then we might let Seagulls Eleven step up to Group One in Ireland if we’re happy with him. We will have to see what the confirmations look like and then make a call.”



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Moore shines on Wigmore Street as jockey completes four-timer

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Ryan Moore produced a last-to-first masterclass aboard Wigmore Street in the Paddy Power Supporting Cancer Trials Irish Cambridgeshire at the Curragh.

Trained by Joseph O’Brien, Wigmore Street was a juvenile winner back in 2022 when handled by Simon and Ed Crisford, but had failed to figure in any of his three starts in Ireland so far.

The 22-1 chance again looked unlikely to make an impact as he was at the back of the field behind horses with a furlong to run.

However, when Moore switched to the stands rail to launch a late challenge, Wigmore Street fairly flew home to edge victory by a head and a nose in a thrilling finish with State Actor and Independent Expert.

O’Brien said: “It was the most incredible ride, he just dropped him on the line.

“Dylan (Browne McMonagle) felt after the last day in Tipperary that he didn’t enjoy making the running, so we said we’d cover him up today and see what happens.

“It was a great pot and he could either go into another handicap or go for a Listed race, it will be one or the other.

“We had hoped to go to Ascot but had a little setback before that. It’s nice to get a good pot with him.”

Acapulco Bay was an all-the-way winner of the opening contest
Acapulco Bay was an all-the-way winner of the opening contest (Damien Eagers/PA)

Moore was completing a four-timer having also triumphed with Dreamy and Ides Of March in the two juvenile Group Three contests earlier on the card, plus Acapulco Bay (2-11 favourite) who made all for victory in the Kara Quinn Memorial Irish EBF (C&G) Maiden.

Second on debut at the track earlier in the month, he made no mistake this time as he came home a length-and-three-quarters winner over fellow Aidan O’Brien-trained runner Genealogy.

“We’re very happy with him, he was very green in front,” said O’Brien.

“The last day he came from behind and Ryan said he never really picked the bridle up at all today. He felt that he was in second gear the whole time.

“It was new to him but he was very happy with him. He really didn’t go forward at all and was just waiting the whole time because he hadn’t been in front before.

“Obviously he’s going to be a horse that will take his time in a good race. We saw what he did the last day over seven when he came flashing home.

“The last day he travelled and quickened and today he didn’t go forward at all because all he was doing was looking, he was getting no lead. I’d say he’s quicker than he looked today.”

Patrick McGettigan secured a first career win at the Curragh
Patrick McGettigan secured a first career win at the Curragh (Damien Eagers/PA)

Moore suffered a rare reverse in the FBD Hotels And Resorts Faithlegg Hotel Nursery Handicap as 9-4 favourite Sweet Chariot had to settle for fifth place.

Victory went to the Johnny Murtagh-trained King Thistle (6-1), who was steered to a one-and-a-quarter-length victory by 10lb-claimer Patrick McGettigan.

The 16-year-old rider was securing his first success and said: “That was unbelievable, especially the fact that it came at the Curragh. It was only my fourth ride, as well.

“I was travelling so well that I had to pull out a bit earlier than I wanted to. The horse in front was coming back at me, so I had to pull out and send him for home.

“The feeling passing the line was even better than I ever dreamed it would be.”



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Tarawa takes Snow Fairy spoils for Weld

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Dermot Weld’s decision to remain in Ireland with Tarawa paid dividends as she secured Group Three glory in the Snow Fairy Fillies Stakes at the Curragh.

The trainer admitted he had been considering a trip to America with the four-year-old filly, but eventually opted to stay closer to home with his previous Listed winner.

Having placed on numerous occasions in Group race company, Tarawa landed the Glencairn Stakes in June over the same nine-furlong trip she faced here and she was rated an 11-2 chance for this contest.

Chris Hayes had her in front with two furlongs to run and while Hanalia and Wingspan stayed on to good effect in the closing stages, Tarawa was a length and a quarter too good, with just a head separating the placed pair.

Tarawa with her winning connections at the Curragh
Tarawa with her winning connections at the Curragh (Damien Eagers/PA)

“It was a good performance by her, she’s been a model of consistency,” said Weld.

“I know she’s been placed more times in Group races, but she has a lot of black type and having won a stakes race at Leopardstown, it was just lovely to go and win a Group race with her today.

“I thought she had it won a long way out. I appreciate she got first run on them a little bit, but the track is riding quick today and the plan was to sit very handy because they are not coming from off the pace.

“The way every race is working out today you have to sit very handy. That’s what he did and the rest is history.

“When she won her Listed race at Leopardstown that’s what she did and she ran a good race at Leopardstown when she was second to a good horse of Aidan’s (Diego Velazquez).

“I think a mile-and-one is her correct trip. She’s after winning her stakes and her group race over a mile-and-one.

Tarawa (left) was a cosy winner
Tarawa (left) was a cosy winner (Damien Eagers/PA)

“She was in a graded race at Kentucky Downs and we gave it a lot of thought but we decided to stay here.

“I have a few ideas for her now.”

Tarawa is entered in the Coolmore America “Justify” Matron Stakes at Leopardstown on September 14, with Weld not ruling out the Group One contest.

He added: “We’ll see how she comes out of it, that could be a possibility. It depends on the makeup of the Matron.

“She’s very good around Leopardstown so we’ll give it definite consideration.”



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Ides Of March strolls to Round Tower success

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Ides Of March enhanced his already fine reputation with a comprehensive win in the Heider Family Stables Round Tower Stakes at the Curragh.

Fourth at the first attempt back in June, Ides Of March then suffered a surprise defeat at the hands of stablemate The Lion In Winter on his second start, with that rival going on to land the Acomb Stakes at York.

Ides Of March finally opened his account at the third time of asking over six furlongs at this track earlier in the month and Aidan O’Brien opted to stick to the sprint trip for this Group Three task.

Ides Of March was an impressive winner at the Curragh
Ides Of March was an impressive winner at the Curragh (Damien Eagers/PA)

Ridden with supreme confidence by Ryan Moore, Ides Of March travelled well through the early stages before asserting his authority in the last two furlongs.

The 2-5 favourite passed the post with three-and-a-quarter lengths to spare over Usdi Atohi with Rudi’s Apple nearly two lengths further back in third.

Ides Of March holds a clutch of autumn entries but O’Brien has pinpointed the Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes on September 28 as a likely target.

“He was professional and grew up a lot from the last day,” said O’Brien.

“I’m delighted and we’ll look at the Middle Park with him now. He’s a powerful, fast horse and he finds it easy to go quick. He’s big and he’s strong.

“He was going very easy through the race before Ryan started to let him go.

“I think he’s versatile (ground-wise). Wootton Bassetts handle soft ground as well and he handles fast ground very easy, he’s a very good mover.

“The mare (his dam Nickname) was a very good mare in America (Grade One winner).”



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Dreamy continues perfect start to her career

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Dreamy made it two wins in as many starts with a comfortable victory in the Newtownanner Stud Irish EBF Stakes at the Curragh.

A debut winner in a valuable maiden at Goodwood at the start of the month, Dreamy boasts an excellent pedigree as a daughter of American Pharoah out of Yorkshire Oaks winner Tapestry.

Sent off the 6-5 favourite for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore, Dreamy always looked in control on her first attempt in Group Three company, kicking for home over furlong out.

Fiery Lucy and Alla Stella put up a strong challenge, but Dreamy had their measure, winning by a length and a half and a short head.

Dreamy was too good for her Curragh rivals
Dreamy was too good for her Curragh rivals (Damien Eagers/PA)

Betfair make her a 10-1 chance from 25s for the Fillies’ Mile, while offering the same price about her in the Oaks next year.

“I’m delighted with her, she’s lovely,” said O’Brien.

“Ryan is very impressed with her. She’s a baby and he was minding and teaching her. She’s a fine, big mare.

“We’ll see whether we go again or not this year, she doesn’t have to.

“Ryan said she was never really engaging at all until they came beside her.”

When asked if she could be a possible Oaks filly, he added: “I’d say that’s what she is, a big Oaks filly.”



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Usdi Atohi on trial for lofty autumn targets

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Usdi Atohi could book her ticket to some exciting events in the autumn when trying six furlongs for a second time in Saturday’s Heider Family Stables Round Tower Stakes at the Curragh.

A Listed winner over five furlongs at Tipperary in early July, Donnacha O’Brien’s youngster was not disgraced when fifth in the Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood on her next start.

She finished close by subsequent Lowther Stakes winner Celandine on the Sussex Downs and having shaped like a return to further will suit, connections are now keen to test the waters back at six furlongs in this competitive Group Three event.

A strong performance could see her follow in the footsteps of stablemate Porta Fortuna and contest Newmarket’s Cheveley Park Stakes later in the season, with this race being used as a real gauge to her potential.

“She ran very well at Goodwood and that form has worked out well, the filly who finished beside her won the Lowther,” said O’Brien.

“We are keen to try six again in case she could be a Cheveley Park filly, so we are going back up in trip.

“Looking at her run the other day (at Goodwood), she kind of hit a little bit of a flat spot against those speedsters and then stayed on again, so it looks like six furlongs is within her range anyway.

“The last time she ran at six furlongs, she kind of stumbled quite badly, so we’re writing off that run and this will let us know where we are going.”

Trainer Donnacha O'Brien will saddle Usdi Atohi at the Curragh
Trainer Donnacha O’Brien will saddle Usdi Atohi at the Curragh (Damien Eagers/PA)

Porta Fortuna, of course, also went on to run at the Breeders’ Cup during her juvenile season and with two of the connections involved in O’Brien’s star miler owning Usdi Atohi, a trip to Del Mar in November is also in the thought process.

“Barry Fowler and Steve Weston, who own her, are American, so we would love to be able to take her to a Breeders’ Cup,” continued O’Brien.

“She would have to probably win a Group race for that to happen, so that is what we are trying to do as well.”

The Round Tower Stakes could prove an O’Brien dominated affair, with Donnacha’s father Aidan responsible for likely favourite Ides Of March.

Ides of March looked smart when winning at the Curragh earlier this month
Ides of March looked smart when winning at the Curragh earlier this month (Brian Lawless/PA)

The son of Wootton Bassett, who is out of American Grade One winner Nickname, was a beaten favourite behind next year’s Derby favourite The Lion In Winter before shedding his maiden status in good style over track and trip recently.

Also towards the top of the bookmakers’ lists is Joseph O’Brien’s Rudi’s Apple, who drops back in grade having contested the Phoenix Stakes earlier this month.

Elsewhere on the card, the exciting Dreamy takes the next step in her career in the Newtownanner Stud Irish EBF Stakes.

The Ballydoyle-trained daughter of American Pharoah, who is owned jointly by the Niarchos family and the Coolmore partners, is as short as 20-1 for next year’s Oaks after making a winning debut at Goodwood and now moves up in both distance and level for this Group Three contest.



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Rashabar team looking forward to next step after Morny near-miss

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Rashabar is to step up to seven furlongs on his next start, with a 2000 Guineas tilt in May the long-term plan for the Royal Ascot hero.

A shock 80-1 winner of the Coventry Stakes at the Royal meeting, Brian Meehan’s son of Holy Roman Emperor fell agonisingly short of giving his Manton-based handler a third success in the Prix Morny when narrowly failing to reel in Aidan O’Brien’s Whistlejacket at Deauville earlier this month.

However, having finished strongly on the Normandy coast and following encouragement from big-race pilot Sean Levey, his team are keen not only to stretch their colt out in distance but continue campaigning at the highest level, with elite options both in Ireland and France on the radar.

“There’s a fair few options, but we will be sticking in Group One company,” said Sam Sangster, manager for owners Manton Thoroughbreds.

“Sean was absolutely gutted when he got off him in the Morny and felt he was the moral winner. There’s no hiding places though in Group Ones and he is more than worth his place in whichever Group One we run in next.

“He hasn’t turned a hair to be honest and has come back from Deauville the same weight he went over there. He is a very cool horse to deal with.”

Sporting the famous green and blue colours of the late Robert Sangster, the Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes at the Curragh on September 15 is high up on Rashabar’s list of possibilities, as is a trip to ParisLongchamp on Arc weekend for the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere.

The Rashabar team after the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot
The Rashabar team after the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot (John Walton/PA)

Sangster continued: “I had a meeting with Brian and we decided to take a good long look at the National Stakes and we really feel a step up to seven furlongs will suit him.

“He did the quickest sectionals in the final two furlongs of the Prix Morny and just looks like a horse that will benefit from a step up and he should suit the Curragh.

“We also have in mind that the Lagardere is there a little later on. The three races we have in mind are the National Stakes, Lagardere and the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf and if you were working back from the Breeders’ Cup it would then be one of the others.”

Rashabar returns to the winner's enclosure at Royal Ascot
Rashabar returns to the winner’s enclosure at Royal Ascot (John Walton/PA)

A trip to Del Mar for the Breeders’ Cup has often been mentioned in discussions surrounding Rashabar’s programme but depending on the outcome of his next race, Stateside ambitions may be tempered in order to preserve Classic aspirations next season.

“We feel he is a horse that is not just going to be limited to a two-year-old campaign, he is a horse who is going to keep improving,” Sangster added.

“Whatever happens in his next run we will hopefully be thinking the Guineas is well within his remit after that, and whether or not we go to Del Mar, the steer will be towards the Guineas if we think he’s good enough and at the moment we do think we have the right horse.”



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Bedtime Story delivers in Debutante to extend perfect record

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It may have lacked the fireworks of some of her previous starts, but Bedtime Story ultimately maintained her unbeaten record with a hard-fought victory in the Alpha Centauri Debutante Stakes at the Curragh.

A daughter of Frankel out of dual Nunthorpe heroine Mecca’s Angel, Aidan O’Brien’s filly made a winning debut at Leopardstown in June before producing a scintillating display to land the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot by nine and a half lengths.

Having since completed her hat-trick with a comfortable success in Leopardstown’s Silver Flash Stakes, Bedtime Story was a 1-16 favourite to make it four from four in a race her trainer had won on 13 previous occasions, but it was harder work that most would have anticipated.

Ryan Moore’s mount was still in third place passing the furlong marker, with her stablemate Exactly and Jessica Harrington’s Barnavara in her sights.

Moore had to resort to his whip to ensure Bedtime Story bridged the gap, but she did get rolling and was half a length in front of Exactly at the line, with Barnavara a neck further behind in third.

O’Brien said: “We didn’t want to go too fast today as it was a prep for the next day. She has a lot of speed early and Ryan was lovely on her as we didn’t want to empty her out today.

“She needed to get down and race a little bit late, but we couldn’t be happier really.

“She’ll go for the Moyglare now.”

Bedtime Story is an unchanged 3-1 favourite for next year’s 1000 Guineas with Coral, who also make her their 5-1 market leader for the Oaks.



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Henri Matisse exhibits star quality at the Curragh

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Henri Matisse strengthened Aidan O’Brien’s potential Classic hand by providing the trainer with a remarkable 17th success in the Coolmore Stud Wootton Bassett Irish EBF Futurity Stakes at the Curragh.

The Ballydoyle handler has unsurprisingly dominated this Group Two contest over the past 30 years, with Giant’s Causeway (1999), Hawk Wing (2001), Gleneagles (2014), Churchill (2016) and last season’s victor Henry Longfellow among his raft of Futurity winners.

Having won his first two starts at this track, including a narrow victory in the Railway Stakes at the end of June, Henri Matisse was a 5-6 favourite to complete his hat-trick and quickened up smartly on his first appearance over seven furlongs to get up and beat Hotazhell by a length.

Paddy Power cut the Wootton Bassett colt to 10-1 from 12-1 for next year’s 2000 Guineas, making him their joint-second favourite behind his Acomb Stakes-winning stablemate The Lion In Winter at 7-1.

“I’m very happy with him. He’s lazy and he quickens,” said O’Brien.

“That is what he was doing over six and when he can do it over seven, you would be delighted really. He has that turn of foot.

“He swerved when he got there. He’s green and is still a baby obviously.

“The plan is to go for the National Stakes.”



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Tate tempted by Blandford target for Royal Dress

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A return to the Curragh for the Moyglare ”Jewels” Blandford Stakes appears favourite for Royal Dress’ next outing after her success at the track last month.

James Tate’s four-year-old has only once finished outside the top three in four starts this season, beginning the campaign by scooping Listed honours at Goodwood before finishing an unlucky third in the Princess Elizabeth Stakes at Epsom on Derby day.

Although disappointing at Royal Ascot, she bounced back to her best on a mission to Ireland for the Meadow Court Stakes, successfully stretching out to nine furlongs in the Group Three event.

The daughter of Night Of Thunder holds multiple entries over the coming months, but with connections keen to keep climbing the ladder and give underfoot also important, Tate has highlighted a return to the home of Irish racing in mid-September as the most likely place for Royal Dress’ next appearance.

Tate said: “We toyed with the idea of running in the Prix Jean Romanet, but the going is a little bit quick for her and she is proven to act on pretty soft ground and the summer ground this weekend is not really up her street.

“We’re just looking to find a few autumn targets on soft ground to finish the season off with.

Royal Dress winning the Al Shira’aa Racing Meadow Court Stakes
Royal Dress winning the Al Shira’aa Racing Meadow Court Stakes (Niall Carson/PA)

“She’s in the Celebration Mile on Saturday at Goodwood, but she would only go there if it was very heavy and then she is in the Group Three Snow Fairy Stakes at the Curragh the week after.

“She has already won a Group Three so you would be thinking of stepping up, so all being told I would say her most likely option would be on September 15, there is a Group Two back at the Curragh over a mile and a quarter, the Blandford Stakes, and I would have thought it is her most likely target.

“It was only just soft enough when she won the Meadow Court Stakes, but fortunately they went such a hard pace it brought her stamina into it. It also showed a mile and one furlong was well within her compass and it looked like a mile and a quarter would be as well.”



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Fallen Angel on target for Matron return at Leopardstown

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Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Fallen Angel is on track to return to action in the Coolmore America “Justify” Matron Stakes next month.

Karl Burke’s daughter of Too Darn Hot has only once finished outside the first two in her six-start career, when a beaten favourite in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on reappearance this season.

She gained Classic compensation at the Curragh, but missed a showdown with the best of her generation in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot after suffering a setback that has kept her out of action during the height of summer.

However, Burke confirmed she is pleasing the team at his North Yorkshire base and hopes to have her back for the Group One feature at Leopardstown during Irish Champions Weekend, after which she could move up in distance at the Arc meeting in Paris.

“Fallen Angel is in great shape and, touch wood, she seems over all her little problems she had,” said the Spigot Lodge handler.

Fallen Angel and team after Irish 1,000 Guineas success
Fallen Angel and team after Irish 1,000 Guineas success (Healy Racing)

“She’s moving really well and is on target for the Matron. That will be her next start and I wouldn’t be surprised if she stepped up to 10 furlongs after that, possibly the Prix de l’Opera on Arc weekend.

“She was very good in the Irish Guineas and I don’t think she will mind a bit of juice (in the ground) – I don’t think we will run her on very fast ground again. Maybe Ascot wouldn’t have been her cup of tea this year and sometimes these things happen for a reason.

“Hopefully she will stay in training next year.”



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Continuous back to winning ways with Royal Whip strike

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Continuous handled the drop to 10 furlongs with aplomb to win the Shoda Market Cafe Royal Whip Stakes at the Curragh, as Aidan O’Brien claimed all three Pattern races on the card.

Last season’s St Leger winner had only been seen once this term, when fifth in the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot behind Isle Of Jura.

He showed he was no back number over middle distances when fifth in the Arc after his Leger heroics and having now notched a win over a mile and a quarter, O’Brien has plenty of options.

Sent off the 4-7 favourite, he held off Trustyourinstinct by half a length under Ryan Moore.

Continuous and Ryan Moore return victorious
Continuous and Ryan Moore return victorious (Niall Carson/PA)

O’Brien said: “We’re delighted with him and he has loads of options now.

“He can go to the Irish Champion, he can go to the (Irish) Leger. He could have a run in the Irish Champion with a view to going to the Arc after it.

“He’s a very versatile horse, a great horse to have.”

When asked if the Long Distance Cup at Ascot could be a possibility, he added: “100 per cent. He can do next year, he can do a Japan Cup. He has so many options.

“Ryan decided to take a lead with him today, he could have popped out and went all the way himself. It was lovely for him.

“He could even go two miles, we’ve never went that far but he could, I’d say. He’s an unusual type of horse.

“He’s a classy horse. He’s genuine and his head is always down.”

Grosvenor Square turned the Comer Group International Irish St. Leger Trial Stakes into an absolute procession.

Moore bounced him into an early lead and by halfway the rest had a mountain to climb.

In the home straight, the 1-2 favourite just pulled further and further clear, winning by a yawning 20 lengths. County Hurdle winner Absurde never featured and finished a distant fourth of five runners.

Paddy Power cut Grosvenor Square to 8-1 from 20s for the St Leger at Doncaster.

O’Brien said: “He has serious stamina when he gets into a rhythm. He’s an exciting horse.

“It’s a quandary whether you follow him or don’t follow him.

“I said to Ryan ‘was he finished at the line?’ – and he said he wasn’t, that he galloped through the line.

“It’s very hard not to go to Doncaster, we’ll see what the lads want to do but it’s three-year-olds. He’s so uncomplicated, you go out there and let him go.

“He handles soft ground as well.”

Aidan O’Brien (left) and Ryan Moore discuss Treasure Isle's win
Aidan O’Brien (left) and Ryan Moore discuss Treasure Isle’s win (Niall Carson/PA)

Treasure Isle took full advantage of a drop in class to win the Listed Qatar Racing And Equestrian Club Irish EBF Juvenile Sprint Stakes.

Not disgraced when fourth behind subsequent Phoenix Stakes winner Babouche in a Group Three last time out, the 9-4 chance always looked in control for Moore.

O’Brien’s juvenile drew clear with Jessica Harrington’s Saratoga Special, who was having just her second run, but the Ballydoyle runner had half a length to spare on crossing the line.

“We’re very happy with him, he’s a fast horse and we learned that the last day,” said O’Brien.

“57 seconds is very unusual up here for a two-year-old race. Ryan said the Flying Childers, he said he’s very quick, but he will get further too.

“He’s a hardy, fast horse.”



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California Dreamer being primed for Moyglare task

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California Dreamer will step up in trip when set the task of shedding her maiden status in the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh next month.

Despite yet being able to find the scoresheet, Adrian Murray’s young filly has proven a consistent performer in some red-hot events, only once finishing outside of the top three in five starts.

The Amo Racing and Giselle De Aguiar-owned daughter of Mehmas has placed efforts in both the Airlie Stud Stakes and Anglesey Stakes at the Curragh to her name and will attempt to finally get her head in front at the Kildare track when moving up to seven furlongs for Group One action on September 15.

Having been given a well-earned rest following her fine effort behind Ger Lyons’ subsequent Phoenix Stakes winner Babouche most recently, connections are relishing the prospect of moving up in trip for a race the owners finished third in with Ornellaia 12 months ago.

“She’s on a break and we’re freshening her up for the Moyglare,” said Murray.

“We’re going to move her up to seven furlongs and we think she will be better over seven, she probably wants seven.

“She’s being doing really well and rattling the crossbar for a few runs and she’s a good filly.

“But we do think a step up in trip will improve her again.”



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Babouche foils Whistlejacket to take Phoenix Stakes and stay unbeaten

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Babouche maintained her unbeaten record with an impressive display in the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh.

The Ger Lyons-trained filly came out on top in a good battle with Aidan O’Brien’s Whistlejacket, denying the Ballydoyle handler an 18th victory in the Group One showpiece.

Babouche – owned by Juddmonte, just like Lyons’ previous Phoenix winner, Siskin, who went on to Classic glory as a three-year-old – oozed class throughout, with Colin Keane seemingly always having all bases covered.

Ryan Moore tried to dictate on Whistlejacket, an impressive winner of the July Stakes at Newmarket last time out, but always looming on his inside was Babouche.

Colin Keane and Babouche return to the winner's enclosure
Colin Keane and Babouche return to the winner’s enclosure (Brian Lawless/PA)

When Moore injected pace into the race, Keane was able to move up alongside effortlessly on the only filly in the race.

As Babouche was asked to put the contest to bed, she quickened up smartly and the 5-2 shot was a comfortable one-and-a-half-length winner at the line.

Lyons said: “I was more nervous before the Anglesey than today as she was quiet before the Anglesey. Before Cork she was telling us how good she was.

“She learned more here (in the Anglesey) than she did in Cork. We wondered if she was good enough today and she’s answered that in spades.

“She’ll stay over this (six-furlong) trip until she tells us otherwise. We’ll take her home and see how she is and at the minute I’d say it will be the Cheveley Park and that will be her done for the year. Colin said there is no rush to step her up at the moment, she has plenty of speed.

A big thumbs up from Colin Keane after his victory aboard Babouche
A big thumbs up from Colin Keane after his victory aboard Babouche (Brian Lawless/PA)

“These horses are hard to find, but when we find them, or lads like us find them, we can do it. The whole thing about winning Group One races is sourcing the horse.

“There is only one outfit on the planet that can source the horse consistently and that is Aidan’s, but when the rest of us get the chance we can do it.

“The fillies are definitely well ahead of the colts this year and it’s nice when they deliver.”



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Givemethebeatboys heading to Haydock after Curragh victory

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Givemethebeatboys put his Royal Ascot disappointment behind him when getting back to winning ways in the FBD Hotels And Resorts Heritage Hotel Phoenix Sprint Stakes at the Curragh.

Jessica Harrington’s sprinter was quietly fancied to run a big race in the Commonwealth Cup having pushed Bucanero Fuerte close in the Lacken Stakes, but he was never going at any stage and trailed in last of the 14 runners behind Inisherin.

Given plenty of time to get over that and back on home soil, he came with a late rattle under Shane Foley to take the Group Three spoils.

Before he appeared on the scene it appeared another big Irish sprint was due for export, with British raiders Shartash and Electric Storm hitting the front.

However, both faded late on and it was 11-4 favourite Kind Of Blue, another British runner, who appeared set to give Harrington’s charge the most to do, but he went down by a head. My Mate Alfie was third.

Shane Foley is all smiles as he returns on Givemethebeatboys
Shane Foley is all smiles as he returns on Givemethebeatboys (Brian Lawless/PA)

Assistant trainer Kate Harrington said: “It’s lovely for him to win as the Sands family (part-owners Bronsan Racing) had a tragic farming accident this week and the funeral is today.

“It’s great to get the horse back on track after Ascot. He had an abscess underneath his lip the size of a golf ball and had an operation to have it removed about three weeks ago.

“Shane said he took a little blow half a furlong down, so he’ll improve plenty from that.

“I’d say all roads lead now to Haydock for the Betfair Sprint Cup. He did a lovely bit of work in Naas last week. Shane said he gave him a feel today like he hadn’t done before, and he’ll improve again.”

The sponsors make him 16-1 from 25s for next month’s Haydock feature.



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