Paddy Twomey and Billy Lee have their sights now set on the Dublin Racing Festival after a successful Cheltenham raid with Seo Linn.
The trainer-and-jockey combination are Group One winners on the Flat and most known for their exploits on the level.
However, the duo made a rare but fruitful foray into the winter code with their classy four-year-old, who scooped Listed honours in impressive fashion at Prestbury Park.
Impressive! 👊
The bumper goes to Ireland but not the horse many expected because it was Seo Linn who won in the style of a speedy filly!
Seo Linn could now seek further bumper riches closer to home in the Grade Two mares’ contest that concludes the Leopardstown action on February 2, while a trip to the Grand National meeting at Aintree may also be on the cards before attention is turned to the Flat.
“For Billy and myself, it was a bit of a novelty going to Cheltenham but we really enjoyed it and it was great the way she won – she won comprehensively,” said Twomey.
“She has come home safe and well and I suppose we may look at the mares’ bumper at the Dublin Racing Festival and there’s another mares’ bumper at Aintree in April. I’m sure after that we’ll be looking for a maiden back on the Flat in Ireland.
Trainer Paddy Twomey is content to remain training on the Flat (Damien Eagers/PA)
“She’s a filly with a bit of talent but she’s late maturing and I said to Billy ‘let’s start her in bumpers and go to the Flat afterwards’. I think that is what happens and if we could win a maiden on the Flat next spring, then she could maybe get a bit of black type on the Flat after that.”
However, it appears Seo Linn’s success is unlikely to whet the appetite for further runners under National Hunt rules, with the trainer content to stick with what he knows best.
When asked if he may be seen saddling more runners in the winter game, Twomey added: “I think we’re OK, I think we’ll stick to what we know.”
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Irish Oaks fourth Elizabeth Jane made the most of an ease in grade with victory in the Thomas’s Of Foxrock “Jim And Kathleen Murphy” Memorial Trigo Stakes at Leopardstown.
A debut winner at this track 12 months ago for trainer Dermot Weld and owners Moyglare Stud Farm, the daughter of Dubawi showed her class when picking up minor honours in Classic company behind Ralph Beckett’s You Got To Me in July.
She was disappointing when beating only one rival in last month’s Blandford Stakes at the Curragh, but bounced back to form in this 10-furlong Listed event, finishing off strongly in the hands of Chris Hayes to score by a length and three-quarters from Layfayette, with Stromberg a close-up third.
“She deserved that win, she’s a very talented filly,” said Weld.
“That was only her fourth run of the year, she ran fourth in the Irish Oaks and ran a very good race.
“She had been working nicely and that was what I expected, a very good performance today.
“Things didn’t go right for her in the Blandford on the day but since then she’s been working very well and I was reasonably confident she’d win today.”
Elizabeth Jane with Dermot Weld at Leopardstown (Gary Carson/PA)
When asked if Elizabeth Jane would return next year, the trainer added: “Oh, most definitely. I think a mile and a half will prove to be her best trip.
“I nearly didn’t run her today to wait for the Finale Stakes over a mile and a half, but she had been working nicely, so we rightly decided to come today.
“You’ll find that at Group level, a mile and a half will be no problem next year. We’ll try and win a Group One with her next year over a mile and a half.”
Norwalk Havoc dominated from the front in the Bahrain Turf Club Knockaire Stakes.
Ninth in the Cambridgeshire at Newmarket last month, Jessica Harrington’s charge was a 2-1 favourite to secure Listed honours and his second victory over the course and distance.
Norwalk Havoc claimed Listed honours at Leopardstown (Gary Carson/PA)
Soon bowling along at the head of affairs under Shane Foley, Norwalk Havoc found plenty for pressure from the home turn and passed the post with three and a half lengths in hand over Uncanny.
Kate Harrington, assistant to her mother, said: “We’re delighted with him, he really enjoyed that heavy going.
“He ran a great race in the English Cambridgeshire and was just drawn on the wrong side that day. I think he was only beaten a nose on his side. He just had nothing to take him into the race and he ran with real credit.
“It’s great to get that Listed win before the end of the season. I don’t think there is anything else for him for the rest of the year but he stays in training next year and he’s one to look forward to early doors.”
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Exactly delivered a dominant victory in the Group Three Killavullan Stakes at Leopardstown.
The 11-10 favourite was a winner over course and distance earlier in the season before being tried in top company, finishing third in both the Moyglare Stud Stakes and Prix Marcel Boussac on her last two starts.
Ridden with confidence by Wayne Lordan, Exactly made light work of her four rivals as she accelerated away to win by six and a half lengths.
Chris Armstrong, representing winning handler Aidan O’Brien, said: “She’s a queen of a filly, she turns up for every dance and she’s been consistent all year.
“She obviously ran a fantastic race in the Boussac last time. Wayne gave her a lovely ride, kept it simple, she quickened and class told in the end. Obviously she won her maiden around here.
“You’d love to have them all like her, she’s so straightforward and tough and gets it done.
“She mightn’t be finished for the year. If she came out of it well we could look at the mile race in France next weekend for her.
“It depends how she comes out of it but it is an option. We’ll see where the rest of the team fit in after the weekend.
“She’s fierce well and even looking at her going around the ring she still has her coat and she’s holding her condition well. Mentally she’s loving it and you’d love to have a stable full of ones like her.”
O’Brien and Lordan were earlier on the mark with Minnie Tauk (2-5 favourite) in the opening fillies’ contest and Serious Contender (evens favourite) in the mile maiden for colts and geldings, but missed out with Takemetothemoon in the seven-furlong fillies’ maiden.
As a half-sister to City Of Troy, the filly attracted plenty of pre-race attention but was edged into third by Just Before in a blanket finish.
Twain (28-1) made it four on the day for O’Brien when triumphing under Mark Crehan in the seven-furlong maiden.
Sigh No More sprang a 40-1 shock in the Mongey Communications Eyrefield Stakes.
Trained by Joseph O’Brien and ridden by Mikey Sheehy, Sigh No More had won twice earlier in the campaign but had been firmly found out when upped in company.
She fairly flew home at the end of this Group Three affair though, challenging down the nearside rail and proving a shade too strong for Trinity College, with favourite Thrice out of the frame after running around a bit in the straight.
“She got a lovely ride from Mikey and the race set up very well,” said O’Brien.
“She’s as tough as nails, she’s progressive and she’s never run a bad race. I’m delighted to win a big pot and a Group race for a big ownership group, a lot of them are here today.
“She’s gone well on a better surface as well, so she’s very versatile ground-wise but she does certainly handle soft conditions.
“There is a big team of people in the filly and everyone will get a great kick out of it. She’s been a model of consistency. We’ve had a great year with her so far and it’s great to finish it off with a big win.”
When asked if she could line up in a Classic trial next year, he added: “Absolutely, that would be a logical thing to do. We’ll see how she pulls up and take it from there.”
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George Boughey is eyeing a possible trip to Kentucky with Soprano following her third-place finish in the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday.
Winner of the Sandringham Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, the daughter of Starspangledbanner had since struck Group Three gold in France, earning her a step up to Group One level in Ireland.
Boughey feels his star filly produced a career-best performance in picking up the bronze medal behind multiple Group One winner Porta Fortuna and Irish 1,000 Guineas heroine Fallen Angel and will now aim to secure a top-level prize of his own before the season is out, potentially in America next month.
All class!
PORTA FORTUNA completes a Group One hat-trick in the @coolmoreamerica 'Justify' Matron Stakes 🏆🏆🏆
“She’s for a long time threatened to be a Group One filly and I was slightly scratching my head for a large part of her career so far,” said the Newmarket handler.
“I think a change of tactics has been a huge help to her going forward. She was given a brilliant ride by Billy (Loughnane) on Saturday to get the position she did from a wide gate and she possibly used a bit of juice to get there, so I’m very proud of her and good to see her back at that level.
“Huge credit has to go to Charles Eddery, who rides her every day at home and travelled her over to Ireland the other day. He knows her inside out and was very bullish that she’d be in the shake-up against some very good fillies.
“Not many win four Group Ones, as Porta Fortuna has this year, and there was a Classic winner in second, so she’s mixing it with the very best.”
Considering future plans, Boughey added: “She may well go to Keeneland for the QEII on October 12. It’s a nine-furlong, three-year-old fillies only Group One that is worth just shy of $1million, so that’s a possible plan for her next.”
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William Haggas has ruled out a tilt at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe with Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes hero Economics, who looks set to instead round off his season in the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot.
So impressive when winning the Dante Stakes at York in May, Economics sidestepped the Derby at Epsom, with Haggas preferring to play the long game with a horse viewed as a work in progress.
After returning from three months off the track with a Group Two victory in France, the Night Of Thunder colt stepped up to the highest level for the first time at Leopardstown on Saturday and showed plenty of tenacity to go with his undoubted talent to see off Auguste Rodin in a thrilling finish.
“We’ve had a bit of practice at making mistakes and we’ll never know if it was the right decision or not (to miss Epsom). He may well have won the Derby, but we felt it was the right thing to do to wait and thank God he won his Group One yesterday and sort of paid for the owner’s (Sheikh Isa, who sponsored the race) patience,” Haggas said on Racing TV’s Luck on Sunday programme.
“Tom (Marquand) was keen not to get too far back and subsequently he travelled a bit wide. He came in and said it was really messy and not how he wanted to do it all, but he still won.”
Haggas is confident Economics will stay further, but that avenue looks more likely to be explored next season than this, with the trainer keen to give his charge time to get over the toughest test of his short career to date.
He added: “For me, he wants slightly slower ground and he looks like he’s going to be at least as good at a mile and a half. I think he’ll stay well, but he’s not doing a bad job at a mile and a quarter at the moment.
“It’s pretty straightforward – we have a nice five weeks (until the Champion Stakes). He had a hard race yesterday and gave plenty, so he’ll need all of that time until the English Champion.
“It (Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe) was discussed yesterday and we toyed with it, but I think he had a tough race and going up to a mile and a half and another trip abroad, I don’t think that’s for him really.
“If he’s that good he can do the Arc next year with all that weight – plenty of four-year-olds have won that race.”
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Economics cashed in at Leopardstown to claim the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes after a titanic tussle with Auguste Rodin.
The William Haggas-trained colt had impressed when romping away with the Dante at York in May, before following up in the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano at Deauville.
Sent off the 7-4 favourite for his first taste of Group One action, Tom Marquand was content to bide his time from his position drawn widest of all.
He was always travelling powerfully and improving his position with every stride, with Marquand waiting to push the button aboard the strapping chestnut straightening for home.
WHAT A FINISH!
Economics denies Auguste Rodin in the @BahrainTurfClub Irish Champion Stakes!
Long-time front-runner Luxembourg initially proved a tough nut to crack, but the closer the winning post came his Aidan O’Brien-trained stablemate Auguste Rodin proved the main threat to Ecomomics.
Having battled it out with the defending champion in the closing stages, Economics stuck his big white nose out best to claim a thrilling neck victory.
He was made the 6-4 favourite from 3-1 with both Paddy Power and Betfair for the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot next month, where he could bid to become just the seventh horse to follow up Irish Champion Stakes victory in the British equivalent.
“It didn’t look very nice, but he got the job done. I loved his head carriage in the last furlong, he really put his head down,” said Haggas.
“I thought the other horse was going to come and beat him, but he beat him.
Economics (right) and Auguste Rodin fighting out the finish (Pat Healy)
“I’m really pleased with him and he’s coming along nicely. As long as we don’t overdo him this year, he’s got a big future.
“Hopefully we will see him again and we’ve always planned to go for the Champion Stakes at Ascot so we will see. Sheikh Isa (owner) puts a lot into it and I’m thrilled more for him than me.”
It was the second Group One victory of the afternoon for Economics’ big-race pilot, with Marquand supplementing his Matron Stakes success aboard Porta Fortuna.
The jockey was thrilled with his mount and said: “He was everything I was dreaming of and more. He’s not only a very good racehorse, but he’s a proper warrior. He’s very, very talented.
“I had moments when I was worried, but he was always felt like he was there for it and Auguste Rodin obviously showed up every bit as good as we were expecting.
“I am just thrilled and for Sheikh Isa and William it is just huge. I think it is one we can all walk away from pretty satisfied. The big calls that were made earlier in the season that were probably so tough to do, they have been justified now. He’s not only a good horse, but a warrior as well and not many horses do both.”
He went on: “I changed my plan a few times to be honest. There were a couple of times I felt like I had picked up into a nice position and for whatever reason I wasn’t quite happy there, so I just moved on a little bit further and he possesses that really nice trait of being able to light up and shut back down 10 strides later.
“I just fiddled around a bit and he had to battle as Auguste Rodin turned up every bit as good as he is – he had to be very good.
“He remains so, so exciting and I think next year will really be his year. I’m just thrilled to be a part of him so far and hopefully for what is to come.”
It was just Sheikh Isa’s second win at the highest level following Commissioning’s Fillies’ Mile triumph in 2022 and to make matters better, he was watching Economics win a race he sponsors.
Winning connections after Economics win (Healy Racing)
He said: “You had to be excited coming in with a favourite’s chance. The exciting thing is that he did it and he’s proven to everyone now that he’s a proper horse. He’s beaten some of the best horses in the world.
“It’s wonderful for the Kingdom of Bahrain to be sponsoring one of the best races seen so far over furlongs.
“From my standpoint as an owner and also from our standpoint as a racing jurisdiction it’s a win-win all around.
“I’ve been waiting a while for a horse like him and as William said ‘we have one’. I’m just very proud and very thankful.”
The decision to skip a run at Epsom in the Derby after impressing in the Dante Stakes is now proving justified, with Sheikh Isa continuing: “There were discussions, but at the end of the day he (Haggas) sees the horse more than I do and there is trust.
“Between a racehorse trainer and any owner you must have trust.”
On the future, he added: “I’m dreaming of enjoying today and we’ll pick up the pieces tomorrow and make a call as a team.”
Auguste Rodin will now head to the Japan Cup (Brian Lawless/PA)
O’Brien’s disappointment of seeing Auguste Rodin vanquished was slightly tempered by St Leger victory for Jan Brueghel only 15 minutes later and he confirmed the runner-up will now head to the Japan Cup after narrowly failing to defend his crown.
He said: “I’m delighted and he ran a great race. The plan was to come here and then go to Japan and I would say it was a great prep for that.
“The winner is a good horse, but we were delighted really. He’s a good three-year-old and a horse that won the Dante and had a lovely prep in Deauville. I’m delighted for all connections and Tom gave him a great ride.
“The plan is to go straight to Japan and have him fresh and obviously we felt we could go to the Breeders’ Cup, but that might be too close. The plan was always to come here, freshen up and then go to Japan. Everything worked perfect today other than he didn’t win.”
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Porta Fortuna cemented her position as this season’s leading filly at a mile in claiming the Coolmore America ‘Justify’ Matron Stakes, bringing to an end Fallen Angel’s love affair with Ireland.
Runner-up in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket, Donnacha O’Brien’s charge skipped the Irish 1,000 Guineas won by Karl Burke’s Fallen Angel to head straight to Royal Ascot, where she got the better of Opera Singer in the Coronation Stakes.
Tom Marquand, who was in the saddle at the Royal meeting, had to watch from the sidelines when Porta Fortuna added to her Group One haul in the Falmouth Stakes but was back in the saddle at Leopardstown as the brilliant filly secured a big-race hat-trick.
Sent off the 5-4 favourite, Marquand was never far away from George Boughey’s Soprano and Fallen Angel who dictated the pace, the latter making her return to action after that Classic triumph in May.
The field was packed closely rounding the turn for home where James Doyle asked Fallen Angel to go on and add to her Classic victory on Irish soil, having won on this weekend 12 months ago.
However, Marquand soon unleashed Porta Fortuna’s trademark turn of foot as she surged to an impressive length success, with Fallen Angel and Soprano filling second and third spots respectively.
Porta Fortuna was immediately made the even-money favourite from 7-4 for the Virgin Bet Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket by Paddy Power and Betfair, but O’Brien hinted she may skip that assignment in favour of heading straight to Del Mar for the Breeders’ Cup, where she is a 4-1 chance with Coral for the Mile.
All class!
PORTA FORTUNA completes a Group One hat-trick in the @coolmoreamerica 'Justify' Matron Stakes 🏆🏆🏆
“She’s an incredible filly, she shows up every day. It’s a huge honour and pleasure to train her and I’m lucky to have her,” said O’Brien.
“You can never be confident going into a Group One, they are always hard to win. No matter what the bookies are saying they are always very tough to win, but she makes it look easy.
“She’s always been good, but you can never be sure they are going to develop into something like that, you can never dream of that.
“She won very well at the Curragh and then she was bought by Mark McStay for Steve Weston, Philip Shelton, who represents Medallion Racing, Dean Reeves and Barry Fowler, who is not here today.
Trainer Donnacha O’Brien with Porta Fortuna (Healy Racing)
“It’s just a huge honour to have the filly, she’s very special. We’ll take her home and see how she is, but all being well we’ll be going to Del Mar.
“She’ll get an easy week or two. I’ll have to confirm with the owners, but we had it in our heads that if she won here she’d skip Newmarket and we’d prep her for America.”
Meanwhile, Fallen Angel is poised to step up in trip at ParisLongchamp on Arc weekend having delighted her Spigot Lodge handler in what was also her first start for new owners Wathnan Racing.
Burke said: “”We’re delighted and she had a bit of time off after the Irish Guineas and didn’t have a saddle on her for four or six weeks, so to come and put up a performance like that against a very good filly, we’re very happy.
“I think she will step up in trip and the Prix de l’Opera in three or four weeks’ time will be the next step and that will tell us then for next year. I’m convinced and Danny Tudhope always thought she would get 10 furlongs. James Doyle has ridden her for the first time and thought the same, so I think that will be the next race.
“She wasn’t having much of a blow, but she will definitely sharpen and a little bit of juice in the ground, which hopefully we will get in France, will suit her well.”
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Green Impact backed up the promise of his previous victory over Delacroix to scoop the KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown.
Jessica Harrington’s son of Wootton Bassett is the first colt to be bred by owner Marc Chan and after a narrow defeat at the Curragh on debut, accounted for Aidan O’Brien’s Delacroix on his second start.
With only four heading to post for the Group Two event, it was O’Brien’s Bernard Shaw who led the quartet along with Green Impact settled in second. He was asked to win his race entering the straight by Shane Foley, working his way past the Ballydoyle inmate and then showing a game attitude to confirm superiority over the fast-finishing Delacroix, who was sent off the 5-6 favourite.
Green Impact (Wootton Bassett) shows a tenacious attitude to fend off the Aidan O'Brien challengers and win the @KPMG_Ireland Champions Juvenile Stakes!
Green Impact finished half a length clear at odds of 5-2 and with a bright future ahead, was cut to 10-1 from 14s for Doncaster’s Futurity Stakes next month, with Coral going 33-1 for next year’s 2000 Guineas.
However, Harrington is already dreaming of a trip to Epsom and a tilt at the Derby.
“It’s lovely to get one on the board for this weekend because it’s very tough and very competitive racing,” said Harrington.
“No one was going to box him in. It’s so easy in a four-horse race to get into a pocket, but we had that plan well worked out beforehand.
“He was always a lovely horse, very laid-back and very easy to train. He’s a very big horse and I think we probably haven’t seen the best of him yet.
“We can dream all winter. He’s a big horse and needs time to fill out his frame. I think we’ll see a really nice horse next year.
“I don’t know whether we’ll go to the Guineas first and then see what happens.
“I would love to win the Derby. He’s out of a Galileo mare so there is no reason why he wouldn’t get a mile and a half.
“I still think he’s probably a little bit of a weak horse this year and think he’ll be better next year.”
Chan’s racing manager Jamie McCalmont made the trip to Ireland rather than heading to Doncaster to watch the owner’s stalwart Kinross in the Park Stakes.
The Green Impact team celebrate their success (Healy Racing)
He said: “He’s the first horse that Marc Chan has ever bred so it’s amazing for him. He’s in Hong Kong and he’ll be over the moon with this.
“Jessie and Kate (Harrington) thought he was a good horse back in April and said ‘we’re going to run this horse on Irish Derby weekend’ and they were 100 per cent right.
“That will be it for the year now and we’ll dream for next year. He’s done all we want to do this year and that’s enough for him.
“Kate and Jessie say he just needs the time. He’ll be a great horse for us next year, hopefully.”
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Chantez produced a stylish performance to give Ger Lyons and Colin Keane their third win in the Ballylinch Stud Irish EBF Ingabelle Stakes at Leopardstown.
The Irish champion jockey and Lyons have dominated this Listed event in recent years and this season’s candidate was sent off 6-5 favourite to follow up her easy course-and-distance success last month.
After travelling menacingly into the contest, she briefly showed her inexperience when jinking once hitting the front, but ultimately was too good and a commanding winner at the line to attract quotes of 33-1 from Betfair and Paddy Power for next year’s 1000 Guineas.
“She’s a lovely filly. I’m surprised how green she ran because in her first two starts she didn’t show any greenness,” said Lyons.
“Colin said she seen the photographers. She did everything wrong today and still won.
“If we didn’t have Babouche and Red Letter you’d be very high on this one going into next spring.
“Getting one for each race is a struggle so having three to go to war with over the winter is something to really look forward to.
“We won’t make a decision for a week or two. Coming into this it was ‘put her away till next year’, but it’s all about ground as she’s a top of the ground filly.
“There is not much of her. We’ll talk to Maurice (Regan) and talk to PJ (Colville). We’ll see how she comes out of it, but at the minute I would say next year.”
Chantez is the latest in a crack team of juvenile fillies at Lyons’ disposal this term alongside Juddmonte-owned pair Babouche and Red Letter, the latter set for action at the Curragh on Sunday.
When asked what his pecking order would be among the trio, he said: “Red Letter, potentially over a trip. Babouche is fantastic and push-button, but I’d have Red Letter all day.”
Diego Velazquez justified 10-11 favouritism to score on this card for the second year running in the Tonybet Solonaway Stakes.
Aidan O’Brien’s Frankel colt won the KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes 12 months ago and proved a decisive winner of this Group Two event in the hands of Ryan Moore.
Diego Velazquez (left) coming home on top (Healy Racing)
““He’s a lovely, straightforward, genuine horse,” said O’Brien.
“He has pace enough for a mile and will probably get a mile and a quarter. He’s a lovely, relaxed, uncomplicated horse.
“Christophe (Soumillon) rode him (in the French Guineas) and said ‘this horse is going to win a Group One very quick’ after it.
“Then it just went a little bit wrong on us. We went to the French Derby, and it was the wrong thing as it was too quick. Then I went up to a mile and a half at Ascot, which was the wrong thing as well.
“He’s a speed horse, he’s probably a miler that will get a mile and a quarter.”
Diego Velazquez was cut to 6-1 from 20s by Paddy Power and Betfair for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Qipco British Champions Day, but O’Brien suggested he may now go globetrotting in the immediate future.
“He could go to a Breeders’ Cup Mile or the Cox Plate,” added O’Brien. “Adelaide was third in a trial in France on this weekend (10 years ago) and he won the Cox Plate.”
The final group action on a stacked card went the way of Joseph O’Brien, who claimed the Tonybet ‘We’re Here To Play’ Stakes with 3-1 favourite Trustyourinstinct.
Wearing the familiar colours of JP McManus and ridden by Dylan Browne McMonagle, O’Brien’s son of Churchill made a welcome return to winning ways, having finished second to his father’s Jan Brueghel and Continuous the last twice.
Trustyourinstinct returned to winning ways (Healy Racing)
“Dylan just said that on his last two runs he’s been beaten by two Leger winners. Continuous, who won last year’s Leger, beat him in the Curragh and then obviously this year’s horse,” said O’Brien.
“We weren’t sure about the mile-and-a-half trip, as his best runs had been at 10, but he really got the trip well.
“He deserves a big win and I’m delighted to have a big win this weekend for JP as well.
“We’ll enjoy the Flat with him for the rest of the season and it’s great to win a good pot here this weekend.
“He qualifies for a lot of big pots around the world as we get into the autumn, so he could potentially end up in a race internationally. We’ll enjoy today and see how he pulls up.”
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James Doyle will sport the Wathnan silks aboard Fallen Angel for the first time as Karl Burke’s Classic heroine aims to continue her Irish love affair in the Coolmore America ‘Justify’ Matron Stakes at Leopardstown.
The Karl Burke-trained daughter of Dark Angel has tasted defeat just twice in her six-race career and both of her victories at the highest level have come when crossing the Irish Sea.
A winner on this weekend in the Moyglare Stud Stakes as a two-year-old, she recovered from being beaten in the 1000 Guineas to claim the Curragh equivalent in decisive fashion in her most recent appearance.
She suffered a setback following that triumph which saw her miss both the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot and the height of summer, but she returns with new ownership to her name in the shape of the Emir of Qatar’s racing operation.
“We’re very much looking forward to seeing her running in the Wathnan colours,” said Wathnan’s racing adviser Richard Brown.
“She’s been off the track a long time and it’s a big ask going up against that calibre of opposition after time off, but Karl reports her to be in great shape.
“Karl is a top-class trainer and top-class guy. He’s done a superb job for Wathnan this year and we’re delighted to add this filly to the team.”
While Fallen Angel was on the sidelines, Porta Fortuna has established herself as the leading performer in the division, winning at both Royal Ascot and the Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket.
Donnacha O’Brien’s stable star is reunited with Tom Marquand as she seeks a third a third straight Group One victory which could set up an exciting return to the Breeders’ Cup later in the year.
Porta Fortuna and Tom Marquand combined to win at Royal Ascot (John Walton/PA)
Marquand said: “She’s been faultless, not just this season but throughout, and she’s a very good filly.
“She’s an exciting filly and it’s great to be getting back on board her. It’s a very good race, but it’s Irish Champions Weekend and a Group One and the races are as they’re supposed to be. I wish they were a bit easier!”
Ylang Ylang spent last winter being talked about as a Classic prospect having ended her two-year-old campaign as a Group One winner.
However, things have not gone to plan so far this term for Aidan O’Brien’s daughter of Frankel.
“We rode her very gently the last day because we were very conscious that she was just about ready to run,” explained O’Brien.
Ylang Ylang is yet to hit her straps this term (Nigel French/PA)
“The race wasn’t fast so it never really opened up and Ryan (Moore) kind of floated her home when that happened because he was never going to get in the race.
“She could go to the fillies’ race on Arc weekend and we’re thinking about America, but over a mile the next day will be different – we’ll ride her more positively and forward.”
Willie McCreery will saddle both his French 1000 Guineas third Vespertilio – second to Fallen Angel in the Moyglare last year – and the unbeaten Jancis who has twice shown a devastating turn of foot in her two outings.
Both of Jancis’ victories have come at the Dublin track, with her handler hoping her local knowledge can combat a lack of experience.
McCreery said: “It’s a huge step for Jancis and you would love to have more experience into her and if it was a different track you would be worried. However, it’s the same track she’s run on so she will know where she is, she seems in great form and will love that quicker ground.
Jancis lands an impressive victory in the Group 3 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Brownstown Stakes at @LeopardstownRC , under Billy Lee for Willie McCreery
“Billy (Lee) has opted for Vespertilio and he thinks the more toughened, harder filly might suit, but he doesn’t know if he has made the right choice either.
“I hate running two horses against each other – especially ones of their quality. If there was a fillies’ Group One over seven furlongs I would split them up, but when the races are on your doorstep you have to take your chance and it’s a great weekend of racing.”
Also testing her mettle at the highest level is George Boughey’s Royal Ascot heroine Soprano’ who thrived for a change of tactics when returning to winning ways at Deauville last month.
Billy Loughnane has enjoyed plenty of good days with the Highclere Thoroughbred Racing-owned filly, who despite a tricky draw to overcome, deserves the opportunity to race in this grade.
Billy Loughnane and George Boughey celebrate Soprano’s Royal Ascot victory (John Walton/PA)
Boughey said: “Soprano was impressive under new tactics in France. The draw is not ideal, but we’re looking forward to seeing her back up at the top grade.
“It is obviously a very hot race, but she deserves her place in this field. She’s a Royal Ascot winner and now a Group Three winner and I think physically she is the best she’s ever looked. This won’t be the end for her and we’re also looking forward to seeing her again as a four-year-old next year.”
Joseph O’Brien’s Rogue Millennium was second to Tahiyra in this when trained by Tom Clover 12 months ago and arrives having finished third behind Porta Fortuna in the Falmouth and then the Prix Rothschild most recently.
Adrian Murray’s Magical Sunset and Mammas Girl, along with Ger Lyons’ Wendla, complete the field.
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/276338517-scaled.jpg12802560Geegeez Newshttps://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.pngGeegeez News2024-09-13 13:19:332024-09-13 13:19:33Fallen Angel back in search of more Group One gold in Ireland
Shin Emperor will fly the flag for Japan when he takes his chance in the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday.
The chestnut is trained by Yoshito Yahagi, who has enjoyed top-level success across the world with the likes of Panthalassa, winner of the Dubai Turf and the Saudi Cup, Cox Plate hero Lys Gracieux and Breeders’ Cup and Hong Kong heroine Loves Only You.
His Irish Champion contender was last seen finishing third in the Japan Derby over a mile and a half, prior to which he was campaigned successfully over 10 furlongs at Group level.
He now steps back down to the latter trip and will be ridden by Ryusei Sakai for a race which has attracted eight runners, including William Haggas’ Economics and the top-quality Aidan O’Brien-trained duo of Auguste Rodin and Los Angeles.
“I don’t have any concern for that (the step down in trip), he ran the 2400m and I’m sure a horse needs stamina for this so I’m not concerned,” said Yahagi, who is also targeting the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe with his Siyouni colt, who is a full-brother to 2020 Arc hero Sottsass.
Yoshito Yahagi (right) surveys the scene at Leopardstown (PA)
“I am satisfied with the ground, Japanese horses should have no issue with the ground so I am very happy with it.
“When he was in Japan he was in good condition, if we compare from Japan to now he has improved, so he’s fit.
“He is at the moment a three-year-old so he will improve, I hope he will improve to be top level and I’m sure he will be a top-level horse in the future.”
The trip to Ireland is a first for many years for Yahagi, who visited the now defunct Phoenix Park racecourse in the late 80s and makes his first visit to Leopardstown for a race he is greatly anticipating.
“I came 35 years ago at Phoenix Park and this is my first time at Leopardstown,” he said, ahead of a race in which Deirdre finished fourth for Japan to Magical in 2019.
“There are a lot of top European horses, top competitive horses, against us. I’m really looking forward to running against these top horses in Europe.”
As well as Shin Emperor, Yahagi is the trainer of Forever Young, winner of both the Saudi and UAE Derbys and most recently third when beaten only a short head in a thrilling finish to the Kentucky Derby in late May.
The Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar beckons for the Real Steel colt, where he will cross paths with Aidan O’Brien’s City Of Troy and others in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
First he will run in on home turf, or rather dirt, when taking in the Japan Dirt Classic on October 2 at Ohi racecourse in Tokyo as a preparation for his return to America.
“We are going to use a local Group One, as in dirt racing, on October 2 (as a prep race),” said Yahagi.
Forever Young’s Kentucky Derby defeat, the first of his career, was regarded by many as rather unlucky considering he was bumped in the straight, but Yahagi is taking the positives ahead of the Breeders’ Cup and is relishing the idea of meeting City Of Troy.
“I am really glad we had experience of the racing, the atmosphere, the dirt on the ground, everything we had experienced was great for my horse,” he said.
“Of course City Of Troy is one of the best horses, but there are also a lot of great horses in America. Also there is another great Japanese horse running too so it is a really competitive race for not just the Americans, but all horses.
“Honestly I am very honoured to run against City Of Troy, it will be a very exciting race.”
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/f980c77a-524e-422c-9763-dabff80740dc-scaled.jpg12802560Geegeez Newshttps://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.pngGeegeez News2024-09-13 12:45:382024-09-13 12:45:38All systems go for Shin Emperor at Leopardstown
It will take a special horse to end Aidan O’Brien’s stranglehold on the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes, but Tom Marquand is “extremely excited” to partner the imposing Economics when he faces the acid test of his credentials on Saturday.
William Haggas’ Night Of Thunder colt confirmed the promise of his dazzling Dante Stakes with a polished performance in the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano at Deauville.
Economics now takes the leap into both deep waters and enemy territory for the Leopardstown feature, with big-race pilot Marquand relishing what will be the toughest assignment of his mount’s career so far.
Marquand said: “I’m extremely excited, this has been the plan for a little while. France was obviously going to be the deciding factor if this stayed the plan or changed, but he won very well in Deauville and looked as good as we were all hoping he would be.
“I felt he was a lot more mature and he felt more effective in his stride. When he was motoring up to the line he was still extending, whereas at York once he got into top gear he was having a little wobble around and was quite immature still.
“Hopefully he will have taken another step forward from France, which I think he will have done, and there’s not much else to say other than it’s exciting and given us all something great to look forward to.”
He went on: “I’ve been lucky to ride some really good horses, but most of the good horses I have come across have been older horses where there is a general hole for those middle-distance types.
“For potential, though, he is the most exciting horse I have been involved with. We’re coming to the end of his three-year-old campaign and we still don’t really know what he is which is the exciting bit.”
Economics after winning at Newbury earlier this year (PA)
This venture to the Irish capital is leg one of an ambitious ‘Champion Stakes double’ Economics is seeking this autumn, with the Somerville Lodge runner also slated to run at Ascot on Qipco British Champions Day.
Only six horses have won both races in the same year and Marquand is well aware the might of Ballydoyle is standing in the way of the first hurdle, as his charge attempts to become the first British-trained winner since Roaring Lion in 2018.
“It’s a tough race, but it’s the Irish Champion Stakes, it’s meant to be,” continued Marquand.
“It’s no easy task by any means to go over to Ireland and win, but some others have been over in the past and managed it. He will need to be every bit as good as we hope he is – and maybe even a little bit more to win.
“It’s fantastic for Sheikh Isa and his family to have a horse in the race that they sponsor. They put so much into racing and to be rewarded with a horse with a real live chance in a race they have heavily invested in is great.”
Aidan O’Brien has a great record in this race (Damien Eagers/PA)
O’Brien has won this a record 12 times and the master of Ballydoyle saddles half the field as he seeks to extend his winning run to six straight years.
His two most recent winners, Luxembourg and Auguste Rodin, take part once again, and are joined by Irish Derby winner Los Angeles and Hans Andersen.
On Los Angeles, O’Brien said: “It will be interesting. He’s won around Leopardstown and it was soft ground when he won, but he’s a deceiving horse as he’s lazy and when he gets the front he doesn’t do much, so it’s just hard to assess him.
“For us, we’ll learn a lot about him in this race because there’ll be a strong, even pace and we will learn what kind of middle-distance type horse he’s going to be.”
Auguste Rodin bounced back from King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes disappointment when outbattling Luxembourg 12 months ago and O’Brien is backing the defending champion to return to his very best after hitting another bump in the road at Ascot in late July.
Auguste Rodin (left) and Luxembourg fight out the finish to last year’s Irish Champion Stakes (Damien Eagers/PA)
“He’s one of those horses who just about gets a mile and a half, but over a mile and a quarter he has loads of class,” O’Brien told Betfred TV.
“We’ve been very happy with him since Ascot, his work has been very good. He worked with a lot of zest the last day and we’re looking forward to seeing him run again.”
There is an international flavour to the contest provided by Japanese Arc hopeful Shin Emperor who will tune-up for ParisLongchamp by trying to add another major overseas prize to his handler Yoshito Yahagi’s stellar CV.
Along with Economics, Clive Cox’s Ghostwriter and Karl Burke’s Royal Rhyme will form the British raiding party having finished third and sixth respectively behind City Of Troy in the Juddmonte International Stakes.
Ghostwriter has been consistent all season (Tim Goode/PA)
For Ghostwriter, that York third was the latest strong performance in an excellent campaign and despite yet to gain the victory his efforts have deserved, his reputation is yet to be diminished.
“He’s ran very consistently right from the very beginning of the season,” said Cox.
“He continues to please me at home, his well-being and mannerisms show he’s in excellent form with himself. He’s run admirably against City Of Troy throughout this season, especially in his last run at York.”
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/276873246-scaled.jpg12802560Geegeez Newshttps://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.pngGeegeez News2024-09-13 12:23:262024-09-13 17:35:09Marquand ‘extremely excited’ to take major Economics test
Ghostwriter is in “excellent form” ahead of taking his place amongst a high-class cast of eight for the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday.
Aidan O’Brien is responsible for half the field in a race he has won five years on the bounce, with his two most recent winners, Auguste Rodin and Luxembourg, joined by Irish Derby hero Los Angeles and outsider Hans Anderson, who is anticipated to take up his usual pacemaking duties.
However, there is also a strong British challenge this year, fronted by William Haggas’ Economics, who confirmed the promise of his impressive Dante victory in Deauville’s Prix Guillaume d’Ornano.
Economics is one of three British contenders for the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes (Mike Egerton/PA)
Joining Economics on the journey across the Irish Sea is Clive Cox’s admirably consistent Ghostwriter, who finished fourth in both the 2000 Guineas and Prix du Jockey Club before claiming minor honours behind City Of Troy in the Eclipse and Juddmonte International Stakes.
O’Brien’s all-conquering son of Justify misses this assignment as he tunes-up for Breeders’ Cup action later in the autumn and although there is still a formidable Ballydoyle contingent for Ghostwriter to face, his handler is happy with his contender heading into the feature event.
“Ghostwriter is on his way over to Ireland as we speak and I’m really pleased with him,” said Cox.
Clive Cox will saddle Ghostwriter in Ireland on Saturday (John Walton/PA)
“He’s in excellent form and has come back really happily from York, where he ran a blinder. Hopefully conditions remain on the good side in Leopardstown.
“Better ground will play to his strengths and that is why we are very much looking forward to be heading over.”
Karl Burke’s Royal Rhyme completes the trio of British raiders, while Japan’s Shin Emperor has made the journey from the Far East to take part in this Group One event, with Yoshito Yahagi’s colt set for an anticipated tilt at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe next month.
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/273951144-scaled.jpg12802560Geegeez Newshttps://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.pngGeegeez News2024-09-12 10:28:522024-09-12 10:28:52Ghostwriter out to end O’Brien’s Irish Champion monopoly
Tom Marquand is backing Maljoom to thrive when reverting to a mile at Leopardstown on Saturday, as the jockey prepares for a huge afternoon in Ireland.
The 26-year-old is set to partner big-race favourite Economics in the feature Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes, while he will also be reunited with his Royal Ascot winner, Donnacha O’Brien’s Porta Fortuna, in the Coolmore America ‘Justify’ Matron Stakes.
However, his book of rides at the Dublin track will also include the William Haggas-trained Maljoom in the Tonybet Solonaway Stakes as the Sussex Stakes runner-up bids to get back on track.
The five-year-old proved far too keen when stepping up in trip and ultimately failing to land a blow in an all-star Juddmonte international Stakes at York.
But given his exemplary form at a mile, Marquand is confident the son of Caravaggio can bounce back to his best amongst Group Two company in Ireland.
Marquand said: “He’s a real solid horse but he just struggled to settle at York. He had the blinkers on and was up in trip and it’s the first time he’s ever done it for whatever reason – hopefully it will be the first and only time he does it.
“If you take that run out of the equation he was second in a Sussex, third in a Queen Anne and is a very talented horse.
“He’s coming back a peg in grade and if the ground is fast he should go really well.”
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/266447319-scaled.jpg12802560Geegeez Newshttps://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.pngGeegeez News2024-09-11 09:24:412024-09-11 09:24:41Marquand has high hopes for Maljoom in Solonaway
Economics and Auguste Rodin are among 12 high-class contenders left in the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes at the confirmation stage for Saturday’s Leopardstown showpiece.
Trained by William Haggas and Aidan O’Brien respectively, Economics will be having his first start at Group One level, while in contrast last year’s winner Auguste Rodin is in search of his seventh Group One triumph.
O’Brien also retains the option of Irish Derby hero Los Angeles, 2022 winner Luxembourg, Continuous and Hans Andersen.
Auguste Rodin (left) beats Luxembourg in last year’s Irish Champion Stakes (Damien Eagers/PA)
Japanese raider Shin Emperor adds further spice, with Clive Cox’s Ghostwriter and Karl Burke’s Royal Rhyme furthering the British challenge.
A strong French contingent is in prospect, with Zarakem and Facteur Cheval left in by Jerome Reynier, while Metropolitan, the French 2000 Guineas winner, is still possible for Mario Baratti.
The first of six Group Ones across the two-day Irish Champions Festival is the Coolmore America ‘Justify’ Matron Stakes, for which 14 fillies have stood their ground.
Donnacha O’Brien’s Porta Fortuna will line up chasing a Group One hat-trick after landing the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Falmouth at Newmarket, while the Burke-trained Fallen Angel – who beat Porta Fortuna in the Moyglare Stud Stakes 12 months ago – is set to make her first appearance since claiming Classic glory in the Irish 1,000 Guineas in May.
George Boughey’s Soprano could also travel from Britain, Jancis is set to put her unbeaten record on the line for Willie McCreery and Aidan O’Brien will rely on Ylang Ylang.
Sunday’s Curragh card is centred around the Comer Group International Irish St Leger, in which Ballydoyle’s star stayer Kyprios takes top billing.
The six-year-old was a beaten odds-on favourite when defending his crown in last year’s renewal, but has reestablished himself as the top dog in the division by winning each of his four starts this season, including big-race victories in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot and the Goodwood Cup.
He might not have things all his own way this weekend, with his high-class stablemate Continuous among his potential rivals along with Marco Botti’s Giavellotto and the Willie Mullins-trained Vauban.
Bradsell and jockey Hollie Doyle after winning the Nunthorpe at York (Mike Egerton/PA)
Archie Watson’s dual Group One winner Bradsell heads the British challenge for the Group One Bar One Racing Flying Five Stakes, with George Boughey’s Believing and Ken Condon’s defending champion Moss Tucker also among the 20 contenders.
Aidan O’Brien is responsible for six of the eight fillies in the mix for the Moyglare Stud Stakes, with the unbeaten Bedtime Story the likely favourite.
Promising stern opposition though are the Ger Lyons-trained course and distance winner Red Letter and Simmering, who has been supplemented by Ollie Sangster after winning a Group Three at Ascot and a Group Two in France on her last two starts.
O’Brien’s Henri Matisse heads a potential field of 10 runners in the Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes. The dual Group Two winner could be joined by stable companions Rock Of Cashel and The Parthenon, while Joseph O’Brien has both Cowardofthecounty and Scorthy Champ in the mix.
Hill Road is another worthy participant for Adrian Murray, while Charlie Appleby has supplemented the Vintage Stakes winner Aomori City, meaning he could head a British trio comprising of Wolf Of Badenoch and Seagulls Eleven, both trained by Hugo Palmer.
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