Tag Archive for: Whirl

Whirl-wind performance from O’Brien filly in Musidora

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There was another impressive winner of a Classic trial for Aidan O’Brien, as Whirl scorched to a bloodless victory in the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes at York.

A market drifter before the off, the daughter of Wootton Bassett was sent off at 7-2 in the hands of Coolmore number one Ryan Moore, who was positive out of the stalls and never too far away from the pace.

It was Ralph Beckett’s Sandown winner Tattycoram that led the field of Classic aspirants into the straight, but Whirl was hot on her tail, with Moore soon allowing his mount to stride on up the long run for home on the Knavesmire.

The further she went, the better Whirl got as she sauntered to a five-and-a-half-length success over Andrew Balding’s Serenity Prayer, who made late ground from the back of the field.

Paddy Power trimmed the winner’s odds for the Betfred Oaks to 10-1 from 33-1, but part-owner Michael Tabor suggested she is far from certain to head for Epsom.

He said: “Ryan said before the race his plan was to bump her out and get a good position and if they caught her, then so be it.

“I don’t think anyone expected that (performance) particularly, but Aidan seems to be able to do that, as we know.

“I don’t really think that Whirl is an Oaks filly. I think she’d probably get a mile and a half, but over a mile and a quarter, something like the Prix de Diane, I think, would be more suitable, but I haven’t discussed it with Derrick (Smith) or John (Magnier) or Aidan, so that’s just my thinking.”

Whirl was a decisive winner of the Musidora Stakes at York
Whirl was a decisive winner of the Musidora Stakes at York (Danny Lawson/PA)

On what trip would be most suitable for Whirl, Moore added: “She’s by Wootton Bassett, so you can kind of do most things.

“She was very comfortable stepping up to that trip today and I thought she was impressive.

“She’s very straightforward, was always travelling nicely, she didn’t do a whole lot in front but she kept responding and I thought it was a nice performance.”

Andrew Balding’s wife and assistant Anna-Lisa said of the runner-up: “What a star she is, she’s a lovely big filly. She struggled to go with them early as they went very quick but this is only her second run. To beat the fillies she has beaten is exciting. She’s come a long way in a short time.

“I’d imagine it will be the Ribblesdale (at Royal Ascot) next, but I just put the saddle on! We’ll all have a good chat tomorrow but there’s lots to look forward to.”

Dual Lingfield winner Go Go Boots was third on her turf debut for John and Thady Gosden. Gosden senior said: “We’re delighted with the filly, she ran a very good race. She had a little trouble getting out of a pocket but she’s run very nicely.

“She’s learned a lot there, that’s her first run on grass. That’s what’s happened this year, she’s done two pieces of work on grass and everything else has been on the all-weather.

“We’ll see what we want to do over the next few days but we are probably pointing towards the Ribblesdale, that looks the logical thing to do and we couldn’t be happier with the run. She showed a great attitude, the second filly is nice and they were a long way clear of the fourth.

“These fillies are having to learn a lot very quickly and she probably got onto the course wondering what was underneath her feet!”

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.”