Tag Archive for: Daytona

Daytona races to Smullen success at Naas

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Daytona overcame his evident inexperience to run out an impressive winner of the inaugural Irish EBF Pat Smullen Stakes at Naas.

A comfortable Gowran winner on his racecourse debut last month, Daytona was sent off the 4-5 favourite for trainer Aidan O’Brien and jockey Wayne Lordan, with the result never really looking in doubt.

Daytona initially looked a little green when given the signal to go on by Lordan, but he was too good for North Shore, pulling three and a quarter lengths clear with the minimum of fuss, earning a 20-1 quote from Paddy Power for next year’s 2000 Guineas.

Stable representative Chris Armstrong said: “Jack (Cleary) gave him a lovely introduction in Gowran where for a first timer and he was impressive. He’s come along lovely at home since then, but he’s still fairly raw.

“They went along at a nice pace and he travelled into it really strong, but when he got there he was still very babyish.

“He has the makings of a lovely horse and next year you could see him over a mile and a quarter.

“He could be one for something like the Futurity or Golden Fleece. He’s a horse to look forward to. He’ll develop physically, he’s a fine big imposing horse and he’s by that sire Wootton Bassett.”

This mile race is part of the new ‘Smullen Series’ which consists of 18 middle-distance races for two and three-year-olds and honours the late Irish champion jockey who enjoyed Derby glory with Harzand.

Smullen was O’Brien’s brother-in-law and Armstrong added: “It’s a lovely new series that they’ve introduced and all these new series initiatives help the programme.

“It’s named after a legend and Aidan picked this race out straight after Gowran for him. He’s delighted to win the first running of it and hopefully we can win a few more of them.”

O’Brien hoping Daytona can secure ‘special’ Naas success

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Aidan O’Brien could honour the memory of his late brother-in-law when Daytona heads to Naas for the inaugural running of the Irish EBF Pat Smullen Stakes.

A 500,000 guineas purchase as a yearling, the son of Wootton Bassett impressed on debut at Gowran Park last month, with the master of Ballydoyle always having this newly-created Listed event in mind for the smart prospect.

O’Brien said: “Daytona is a good horse. He won nicely in Gowran the first day when Jack (Cleary) rode him. Wayne (Lordan) rides him in Naas. We think he’s a nice horse and we think the trip should suit him.

“Obviously, the race is in memory of Pat and that makes it very special for us and we’re delighted to be running what we think is a nice horse in the race. We like him, we think he’s a classy horse.”

O’Brien’s son Joseph is also well represented, saddling both Fairyhouse winner Green Soul and North Coast, the latter creating a taking impression with an all-the-way five-and-a-half-length win at Down Royal recently.

Leblon Queen had accounted for the aforementioned Green Soul on debut before running down the field in last weekend’s Airlie Stud Stakes.

She is quickly returned to the track as part of a two-strong hand for Adrian Murray alongside Flanker Jet, who was not far behind quality Ballydoyle pair Amadeus Mozart and Dorset when fourth at the Curragh on debut.

Jessica Harrington’s Wyman, Ger Lyons’ Genchev and Johnny Murtagh’s Blue Blue Moon are all unraced and complete the line-up.