Curragh | Horse Racing Free Tips

A ‘Pretty’ Picture At The Curragh On Sunday

The Curragh's G1 Alwasmiyah Pretty Polly S. takes centre stage on Sunday and it is a strong renewal, with the G1 Prix d'Ispahan and G2 Dahlia S. winner Dreamloper (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) tackling several others who have pretensions at attaining that level. This is the first time that the 5-year-old will tackle a mile and a quarter, but her emphatic display over nine furlongs and 55 yards in the G1 Prix d'Ispahan at ParisLongchamp on May 29 suggests it is time to try. Trainer Ed Walker is hoping the amount of rainfall is not significant. “I don't want it to get too soft, there's a bit of rain forecast so we'll just keep an eye on it,” he said earlier this week. “She's well and in good shape. This race was always the plan, then we thought we didn't want to travel with her again and we thought we might wait for the Falmouth instead, but then we just thought it made sense to go there. She's thriving, her last two runs have been career-bests.”

Coco Returns

Making her seasonal bow is Team Valor's G2 Blandford S. winner La Petite Coco (Ire) (Ruler of the World {Ire}), who alongside Robert Moran's June 8 G3 Munster Oaks winner Rosscarbery (Ger) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) forms a strong two-pronged assault by Paddy Twomey. “La Petite Coco is a lovely filly and the plan has been very much to campaign her with the second half of the season in mind,” the trainer explained. “She didn't miss a beat last year and we couldn't be happier with her.” William Haggas's golden period with black-type runners continued apace on Saturday and it may be significant that he saddles both Lael Stables' June 5 G2 Prix de Sandringham winner Purplepay (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}) and Sunderland Holding's My Astra (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}). The latter took Ayr's Listed Rothesay S. by 12 lengths on soft ground May 18 and as a half-sister to My Prospero (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) and My Oberon (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) has the pedigree to get to this level in the immediate future.

“Purplepay is a charming filly. It is obviously her first time at the trip, but Tom [Marquand] is quite keen that she tries it,” Haggas said. “My Astra is up in class and she has only won a listed race, but she is very well and we hope she will run well.” Ballydoyle's Irish 1000 Guineas third and Oaks fourth Concert Hall (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) adds rich texture to a fascinating contest.

Statuette To The Test

If the Pretty Polly is a tantalising main course, then the six-furlong G2 Airlie Stud S. is the ideal appetiser with Ballydoyle's 'TDN Rising Star' Statuette (Justify) looking to enhance her already-significant reputation. So impressive on her debut over an extended five at Navan May 28, the daughter of Immortal Verse (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) is taken on by Juddmonte's Zarinsk (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) whose defeat of Olivia Maralda (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), Never Ending Story (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Zoinnocent (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) in a course-and-distance maiden May 22 is hot form. Also in the mix is another who has shown up well on debut over this track and trip in the May 20 Irish EBF Auction Series Maiden winner Papilio (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}). The Fozzy Stack trainee's form received a boost on Saturday when the runner-up Apache Outlaw (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) was third in the Railway.

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The Major Talking Points From Irish Derby Day at the Curragh

The Curragh, IRELAND–Saturday's G1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby revolved around Westover (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and he didn't disappoint.

The fact that Colin Keane was handed the ride at the expense of Rob Hornby, who was aboard the colt at Epsom, provided a fascinating sub-plot to the race and both men emerged from the weekend with reputations not only intact but enhanced.

Westover was the winner the Curragh needed and his victory tees up a fascinating rematch between himself and the Derby hero Desert Crown (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) in the G1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth QIPCO S. at Ascot next month.

From Westover, to the Curragh crowds and Johnny Murtagh registering an important winner for the Aga Khan, we examined the main talking points from an enthralling day's action.

Class Comes to the Fore in the Irish Derby

In sauntering to Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby glory, Westover provided further proof that this year's Derby at Epsom was won by a proper horse in Desert Crown.

With no Desert Crown to worry about at the Curragh, Westover stamped his class over the opposition, and boy did the race need this.

The Irish Derby has been a mixed bag in terms of quality throughout the past decade. There was no doubting the class of this year's winner.

Nor that of the rider. Much of the talk in the build-up to Saturday revolved around the fact that the three-times Irish champion jockey Colin Keane was taking over in the saddle from Rob Hornby, who had ridden Westover in all bar one of his five starts before the Curragh.

Saturday would have been one of the most difficult days in Hornby's career but, judging by how the rider dealt with the news and even went as far as offering Keane advice on how to ride the horse he knows so well on the morning of the race, he is clearly a man of immense character.

We learned as much from Keane moments after the race. Keane had just ridden his third Irish Classic winner, the second in the Juddmonte silks after of Siskin (First Defence) in the G1 2000 Guineas in 2020, but his immediate priority was to acknowledge the role Hornby played in the success.

He said, “Fair dues to Rob Hornby. I rang him this morning and he told me everything I needed to know about the horse. A true gentleman.”

Keane added, “The horse is very good and Rob told me that he'd get the trip well and will even stay further. He told me not to be afraid to use him up because the one thing he'll do is get to the line, and Ralph said the same. He told me to get him rolling and that he'd stay going.”

Stay going is putting it mildly. Westover devoured the Curragh straight as his rivals cried enough. The win represented a fourth Classic success for Ralph Becket but the first the trainer recorded with a colt.

Many people viewed Westover an unlucky loser behind Desert Crown at Epsom given he was stopped in his tracks and encountered traffic problems at vital stages in the race.

The prospects of a rematch between the pair was raised following the Irish Derby with the G1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth QIPCO S. at Ascot next month the most likely destination for both colts. Now that would be class.

Murtagh Making the Most of Aga Khan Support

Less than two years after it was announced that Johnny Murtagh would train horses for the Aga Khan, the Curragh-based operator sent out Shartash (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) to land the G2 GAIN Railway S.

Murtagh was closely associated with the Aga Khan Studs during his long and fruitful period as stable jockey with John Oxx, with his most famous partnership in the world-famous green and red silks coming aboard Sinndar (Ire) (Grand Lodge), the dual Derby hero who went on to snare the Arc in 2000.

Saturday represented another hugely important milestone for Murtagh and the Aga Khan who, in his role as trainer, has now become a vital cog in the wheel of the Irish operation.

Shartash is an unusually quick runner for the Aga Khan. Out of the five-time winner Shamreen (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who won back-to-back editions of the G2 Blandford S. in 2016 and 2017, Shartash has an exciting future.

The G1 Phoenix S. could be the obvious next race for him and he should have no trouble getting seven furlongs in time.

Tide Finally Turns For Teresa

There were few more deserving winners of the Listed Dubai Duty Free Dash S. than Teresa Mendoza (Ire) (Territories {GB}).

It seems a long time ago now since Ken Condon's filly burst onto the scene by winning a Curragh maiden as a 2-year-old in good style back in 2020.

She had placed six times at listed and group level since, before finally bagging that all-important listed success at the Curragh on Saturday.

That win sugar-coated a good weekend for her sire. Ger Lyons unleashed another smart runner by Territories at the Curragh on Friday in the shape of Slan Abhaile (Ire), who slalomed her way through the field under Colin Keane before pulling clear at the line.

Derby runner-up Hoo Ya Mal (GB), who was sold for a whopping £1.2 million to join Gai Waterhouse in Australia at the Goffs London Sale recently, showed that it's not all about speed when it comes to Territories. He is clearly a sire going places.

Aikhal Proves Doubters Wrong

He may have finished last of the 11 runners behind Coroebus (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G1 St James's Palace S. when last seen, but Aikhal (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) showed that he is colt not to be underestimated in running away with the G3 ARM Holding International S. on the Curragh card.

It's not often that Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore team up with a 20-1 runner and Aikhal proved his doubters wrong in producing a fine performance to scamper clear of some solid rivals.

Saturday's victory represented just the sixth start of his career and his first over 10 furlongs. Judging by the style the win was achieved, he should have no trouble getting 1 1/2 miles and Saturday may not be the last time he surprises people.

Respectable Curragh Crowds

Curragh chief executive Brian Kavanagh said in the build-up to Derby weekend that he was more focussed on people enjoying themselves than getting bums on seats.

Well, the Curragh achieved both on Saturday and, for the first time in a long time, there was a genuine buzz around the place.

Kavanagh was quoted as saying “roughly 11,300” came through the turnstiles on Saturday.

Despite the fact that the newly developed €81-million Curragh can cater for over 30,000 people, the fact that 11,300 turned up on Saturday represented a positive step.

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All Set For Derby Delight

Following a quiet few days in the aftermath of Ascot and Chantilly, things get moving again on Saturday with The Curragh staging one of the most interesting renewals of the G1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby for some time. A race that has from time to time in recent years been under the shadow of the European Pattern Committee's guillotine has pulled a trick out of the hat this year to ensure it keeps its exalted status for the immediate future at least.

Aidan O'Brien has come to tick off winners of this Classic with metronomic efficiency and it is that which has played a part-role in discouraging potential raiders, but connections of Westover (GB) (Frankel {GB}) are thankfully unwilling to allow historical precedent to sway them from the challenge. Adding an exotic flavour to this edition, the cream of the Rosegreen colts have been left at home with the baton passed to the Oaks heroine Tuesday (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Just as Balanchine (Storm Bird) conquered the Derby runner-up King's Theatre (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) the last time this scenario came about in 1994, and her predecessor Salsabil (GB) (Sadler's Wells) disposed of the Blue Riband hero Quest For Fame (GB) (Rainbow Quest) four years earlier, so Tuesday looks to quash the colts as her stable goes leftfield in its undimmed quest for Classic glory.

There's Always A First Time

Aidan O'Brien could write the book on how to win the Irish Derby as he chases success number 15, but there is always new ground to break at Rosegreen, and 2022 sees the year that he mixes things up. This is the Classic in which the runaway pacemaker Sovereign (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) cut loose three years ago, but there will be no surprise outcome supplied by the stable this time, with the filly due to start at short odds and probably as favourite. Tuesday's success in the June 3 Epsom Classic represents strong form and, while there is an argument that Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) was unlucky, there was genuine merit in the winner's performance from a compromising draw in one. Tuesday has surprised her trainer all year and has forced her way into this unique situation with her relentless progress both in training and racing.

“At one time, we didn't think she'd make the Guineas, but every week she gets stronger and stronger and we had planned to give her a break after the Oaks, so it's an unusual thing but maybe it's because she's so young,” O'Brien said of the irrepressible daughter of Lillie Langtry (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). Unlike the trainer, remarkably Ryan Moore has yet to ride the winner of this Classic and will have to be at his tactical best to get Tuesday into a position where she can deliver her dynamite surge. That is no easy task, as he is unconvinced that his mount needs a true stamina test.

“She did exceptionally well to win a strong Oaks last time, even if she probably didn't see out the trip fully,” he said in his Betfair blog.

Keane And Eager

It is clear why Tuesday, who showed with placings in the 1000 Guineas and the Irish equivalent and with fast splits in the Oaks that she possesses the kind of pace that is dangerous in these types of tests, has no pacemaker alongside her due to the fact that she would thrive if this becomes a test of speed. Whether that happens probably depends on Colin Keane, who has been called up to steer Juddmonte's Derby third Westover around this terrain he has come to dominate as his country's undisputed leading rider. Unlike Tuesday, the colt that may turn out to be the best that Ralph Beckett has trained is more in the freight train mold at a mile and a half and the kind of remorseless galloper well fitted to The Curragh.

“When you look back at the replay of the Derby, he was the horse that caught your eye and usually the Epsom form holds up in the Curragh. A more galloping track might suit him and he looks like a very straightforward horse,” his rider said.

Putting the Record Straight

Westover's trouble in running in Epsom's home straight is well-documented, but quite how much that momentum disturbance affected the result of the Blue Riband is an unknown. There is no doubt that it had consequences and adjustments for the G3 Sandown Classic Trial winner's ill fortune there put him close to Desert Crown (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}), so the ball is in his and Keane's court on an exciting day for Juddmonte who have not been represented in this since 1996.

That year saw the Derby runner-up Dushyantor (Sadler's Wells) finish a disappointing fourth as the 5-4 favourite, three years on from the operation's only winner Commander In Chief (GB) (Dancing Brave).

“He would definitely be entitled to improve a bit and it's great the family are letting us bring him over to Ireland,” Juddmonte's Barry Mahon said. “There's a big operation here and for all the staff here who looked after him when he was a yearling and a weanling and broke him in and started riding him before he went over to Ralph Beckett's, they're all excited too.”

A Steep Climb

Despite his obvious potential, there is a sense that Flaxman Holdings' imposing Piz Badile (Ire) (Ulysses {Ire}) could be one for next year and the G3 Ballysax S. winner's unplaced effort in the Derby shows he is up against it even if he is back on a track that should prove more suitable.

One who is still unexposed is Normandie Stud's Listed Cocked Hat S. scorer Lionel (GB) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), but that form is well short of the Epsom standard and he may need further than this mile and a half with his family featuring Duncan (GB) (Dalakhani {Ire}), who dead-heated in the 2011 Irish St Leger here. Since the aforementioned Commander In Chief in 1993, there have been only three British-trained winners showing how hard it is to wrest the prize from the home-trained contingent. Lionel's trainer David Menuisier is habitually optimistic, however.

“In my heart he always was one of the leading contenders, a lot of things are going his way so let's hope for a truly run race and the best horse will win.”

Blackbeard Is Back

Away from the Irish Derby, the G2 GAIN Railway S. is the next best thing on Saturday and Ballydoyle supply another workaholic in Blackbeard (Ire) (No Nay Never), the first to represent the G2 Coventry S. form. Only fourth and beaten some way out as the 5-2 favourite for that juvenile feature of the Royal meeting, the Listed First Flier S. and G3 Marble Hill S. winner may have had an excuse according to Aidan O'Brien.

“He maybe found the travel a bit funny and was a bit uneasy with it all,” he suggested on Friday. Ryan Moore added in his Betfair blog, “I'd be inclined to think that was a very strong Coventry this year, so his fourth there was a very good effort.”

A short-head second to Blackbeard in the First Flier, Amo Racing's Crispy Cat (GB) (Ardad {Ire}) is also asked to back up after Royal Ascot where he was the chief sufferer of the much-discussed interference caused by The Ridler (GB) (Brazen Beau {Aus}) in the Norfolk.

Best Of The Rest

Also at The Curragh, the 10-furlong G3 ARM Holding International S. sees last year's Irish 2000 Guineas hero Mac Swiney (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) look for a first win since that highlight as he takes on 'TDN Rising Star' Duke de Sessa (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) and Ballydoyle's Aikhal (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) who was thought worthy of a place in last Tuesday's G1 St James's Palace S. Also in that Royal Ascot feature was another 'TDN Rising Star' in Wexford Native (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) and, while he was unable to do himself justice there, is likewise out quickly in the card's Listed Dubai Duty Free Celebration S. over a mile.

In Newcastle's G3 Pertemps Network Chipchase S., St Albans Bloodstock's exciting 3-year-old filly Sense of Duty (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) holds strong claims following her defeat of the top-class Flotus (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) and subsequent listed scorer Benefit (GB) (Acclamation {GB}) in Haydock's Listed Cecil Frail S. May 20. At Newmarket, all eyes will be on Westerberg's exciting Minnetonka (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) in a hot-looking Listed Maureen Brittain Memorial Empress Fillies' S. following her seven-length debut win at Salisbury June 12.

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Observations: Arqana September Topper Debuts At Newmarket

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Friday's Insights features half-sister to top-shelf performers Sottsass (Fr) and Sistercharlie (Ire) at Newmarket Friday.

3.20 Doncaster, Novice, £7,300, 3yo/up, f/m, 10f 43yT
ROYAL SCANDAL (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) looks to underline the striking impression she made on debut at Newcastle last month under a seven-pound penalty facing a trio of rivals. Racing in the Vestey silks carried to G1 QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares S. glory by her dam Seal of Approval (GB) (Authorized {Ire}), the February-foaled chestnut is therefore a full-sister to the dual group-placed Promissory (Ire) from the family of Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) who enjoyed one of his biggest days here in September.

3.25 Saint-Cloud, Debutantes, €27,000, 3yo, 10fT
SAFARIA (Dubawi {Ire}) stands out in this intriguing affair as a daughter of the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf heroine Flotilla (Fr) (Mizzen Mast) who represents her owner-breeder Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani. Francis-Henri Graffard introduces the February-foaled bay, whose peers include another relative of a Classic heroine in the Niarchos Family's Feel (Into Mischief), a Pascal Bary-trained half-sister to the G1 Prix de Diane winner Senga (Blame).

5.0 Curragh, Mdn, €18,000, 2yo, 6fT
ST KITTS (IRE) (No Nay Never) may not be the pick of Ryan Moore of the Ballydoyle pair, but the newcomer has much to commend him as a son of the G1 Irish Oaks heroine Bracelet (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) by the sire who is off to a flyer this term. The April-foaled chestnut is back-up to the stable's Roscommon fourth Victoria Road (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), a son of the dual group 3-winning sprinter Tickled Pink (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), while among the other newcomers is the Niarchos's Yosemite Valley (GB) (Shamardal), a Donnacha O'Brien-trained half-brother to the stable's G3 Ballysax S. winner Piz Badile (Ire) (Ulysses {Ire}) who was withdrawn from his intended debut at Naas last month.

5.35 Curragh, Mdn, €18,000, 2yo, f, 7fT
DOWER HOUSE (IRE) (Galileo {Ire}) is another Ballydoyle debutante without the services of Ryan Moore, but as a full-sister to Churchill (Ire) and Clemmie (Ire) she is more of a next-time project given that both her illustrious siblings were only placed on their racecourse bows. Aidan O'Brien's first string is very much the six-furlong course maiden third Never Ending Story (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), the first foal out of the GI Belmont Oaks Invitational winner Athena (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) from the family of the opening maiden's protagonist St Kitts and Sea the Stars (Ire) and Galileo (Ire). Jessie Harrington, who took this last year with the future G1 Moyglare Stud S. winner Discoveries (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) as she inched out Tuesday (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), saddles Yuesheng Zhang's newcomer Danvers Gold (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), a daughter of the G3 Cornwallis S. scorer Mrs Danvers (GB) (Hellvelyn {GB}) who cost 320,000gns at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 2.

6.25 Newmarket, Novice, £10,000, 3yo/up, f/m, 8fT
PURE DIGNITY (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) is yet another by the supersire to catch the eye on Friday, being the €2.5million Arqana Deauville September Yearling Sale topper. Shaikh Nasser Al Khalifa and KHK Racing's half-sister to Sottsass (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) and the similarly high-class Sistercharlie (Ire) (Myboycharlie {Ire}) finally gets out for Roger Varian and faces four on her debut.

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