Gleneagles’s Brilliant Best In The Park Express

Aidan O'Brien's 2024 Flat Turf campaign got off to a perfect beginning at The Curragh on Monday as the 3-year-old filly Brilliant (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}–Plying, by Hard Spun) flew the flag in the G3 Lodge Park Stud Irish EBF Park Express S.

Runner-up in the G3 Newtownanner Stud Irish EBF S. over this mile trip and track and third in the seven-furlong G3 Weld Park S. also here last term, the 7-2 second favourite was steadied towards the rear early by Declan McDonogh and crept into contention once straightened for home. Getting to the front a furlong out, the 1000 Guineas entry had to battle on the testing surface to see off fellow 3-year-old Alpheratz (Ire) (Phoenix Of Spain {Ire}) but proved up to the task to prevail by half a length.

“I think she probably had the best form in the race and, on her first run of the year, I'm delighted with her,” O'Brien said. “She'd been working nicely and is a hardy filly. It's a big call for three-year-olds against older horses on that ground at this time of the year. She'll step up and a mile is good for her. That will be her trial and she'll go into one of the Guineas now after that. She might end up going to Newmarket and back here. She doesn't really want that ground, but she went in it.”

 

Pedigree Notes

Brilliant, who was last seen finishing fifth in the G1 Fillies' Mile, is the third black-type winner for Plying, with the chief progeny being the G1 Sussex S., G1 July Cup, G1 Coronation S. and G1 Cheveley Park S. heroine Alcohol Free (Ire) (No Nay Never). The dam, a half-sister to the G2 Flying Childers S. and G3 Princess Margaret S.-placed Kissing Lights (Ire) (Machiavellian) also connected to the sires Raise A Grand (Ire) and Weldnaas, has a 2-year-old filly by Lope De Vega (Ire) to follow.

Monday, The Curragh, Ireland
LODGE PARK STUD IRISH EBF PARK EXPRESS S.-G3, €68,500, Curragh, 3-18, 3yo/up, f/m, 8fT, 1:51.68, hy.
1–BRILLIANT (IRE), 120, f, 3, by Gleneagles (Ire)
           1st Dam: Plying, by Hard Spun
           2nd Dam: Nasaieb (Ire), by Fairy King
           3rd Dam: Atyaaf, by Irish River (Fr)
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GROUP WIN. (650,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT). O-D Smith,Mrs J Magnier,M Tabor,Westerberg; B-Jossestown Farm (IRE); T-Aidan P. O'Brien; J-Declan Patrick McDonogh. €41,100. Lifetime Record: 10-2-1-3, $103,483. *1/2 to Alexander James (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), SW-Fr, $129,284; 1/2 to Alcohol Free (Ire) (No Nay Never), Hwt. Older Mare-Eng- at 5 – 7 f., Hwt. Older Mare-Eur- at 5 – 7 f., MG1SW-Eng, $2,546,735. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Alpheratz (Ire), 120, f, 3, Phoenix Of Spain (Ire)–Rosie Scot (Ire), by Holy Roman Emperor (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (15,000gns Ylg '22 TATSOM). O-Gerard Kervick; B-Lynn Lodge Stud (IRE); T-Joseph G Murphy. €13,700.
3–Goldana (Ire), 140, m, 5, Galileo Gold (GB)–Humble And Proud (Ire), by Pivotal (GB). (£40,000 Ylg '20 GOFOR; €120,000 HRA '22 ARQDEC). O-Sights On Gold Partnership; B-Patrick Grogan (IRE); T-Joseph O'Brien. €6,850.
Margins: HF, 3/4, 4 1/4. Odds: 3.50, 4.00, 1.50.
Also Ran: Everlasting (Ire), Magical Sunset (Ire), Mammas Girl (GB), Sli Na Ghealai (Ire), Lady of Inishfree (Ire), Cadeau Belle (Fr), Peace of Mine (Ire). Scratched: You Send Me (Ire).

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Starspangledbanner Filly Makes All For Curragh Triumph

Joseph O'Brien trainee Basil Martini (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}–Under Offer {Ire}, by Bated Breath {GB}) was a four-start maiden heading into Sunday's G3 Weld Park S. at the Curragh and returned home with black-type and a first win of any kind after making all under Declan McDonogh in the seven-furlong juvenile fillies' heat. The 12-1 chance had collected prizemoney in all outings to date and went postward for this stakes debut coming back off a short-head second at Punchestown earlier in the month. Basil Martini, the sharpest of 10 into stride, dictated at a solid tempo until beyond halfway. Rowed along to maintain her advantage approaching the quarter-mile marker, she refused to yield and was driven out inside the final furlong to hold the closing pack by a half length in game fashion.

“She generally is quick away and leads and it was a really tough performance,” said O'Brien. “Declan [McDonogh] said she really felt good today, she's a progressive filly and has held her form very well all the way through. For the last furlong-and-a-half I was wondering what was going to come and get her, but she just kept finding. I'd say that is probably it for this season, she is a Group winner now and is a nice filly to look forward to next spring.”

Pedigree Notes:

Basil Martini, who becomes the 15th pattern-race scorer for her sire (by Choisir {Aus}), is the first of three foals produced by a daughter of Argentina's G2 Marcos Levalle victrix Bailonguera (Arg) (Southern Halo). She is a half-sister to a yearling filly by Footstepsinthesand (GB) and a weanling filly by Mehmas (Ire). Bailonguera, kin to the G1 De Honor heroine Bonaventura (Arg) (Merce Cunningham), is the dam of three black-type perfomers, headed by Listed Prix Petite Etoile victrix Bayargal (Bernstein), and her descendants also include dual Group 3-winning G1 Steward's Cup second Joyful Trinity (Ire) (Zanzibari) and this term's G3 Prix de Meautry hero Bouttemont (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}). Bailonguera's half-sister Baleares (Arg) (Senor Pete) is the dam of dual Group 1-winning Argentinian champion Batallosa (Arg) (Southern Halo). Basil Martini's Footstepsinthesand half-sister is due to sell as lot 805 at this week's Goffs Sportsman's sale.

Sunday, Curragh, Ireland
WELD PARK S.-G3, €55,000, Curragh, 9-25, 2yo, f, 7fT, 1:27.20, yl.
1–BASIL MARTINI (IRE), 128, f, 2, by Starspangledbanner (Aus)
1st Dam: Under Offer (Ire), by Bated Breath (GB)
2nd Dam: Bailonguera (Arg), by Southern Halo
3rd Dam: Balromana (Arg), by Logical
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN, 1ST GROUP WIN. (£160,000 Ylg '21 GOFFUK). O-Mrs M V Magnier & Mrs Paul Shanahan; B-Summit Bloodstock (IRE); T-Joseph O'Brien; J-Declan McDonogh. €33,000. Lifetime Record: 5-1-3-0, $43,635. Werk Nick Rating: C. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Gan Teorainn (Ire), 128, f, 2, Saxon Warrior (Jpn)–Dance Troupe (GB), by Rainbow Quest. 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O/B-Ennistown Stud (IRE); T-Jim Bolger. €11,000.
3–Keep In Touch (Ire), 128, f, 2, Tamayuz (GB)–Unaccompanied (Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O/B-Moyglare Stud Farm Ltd (IRE); T-Dermot Weld. €5,500.
Margins: HF, NK, NK. Odds: 12.00, 28.00, 8.50.
Also Ran: Clever And Cool (Ire), Dower House (Ire), Caroline Street, Sioux Spirit (Ire), Maybe Just Maybe (Jpn), Decorated My Life (Ire), Pandora Lovegood (Ire).

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Caravaggio’s Agartha Back To Winning Ways In The Fairy Bridge

Bouncing back from a disappointing effort when last in the July 9 GI Belmont Oaks Invitational, Scott Heider's G2 Debutante S. and G3 Silver Flash S. winner Agartha (Ire) (Caravaggio) was at her dynamic best as she made all under Declan McDonogh to capture Friday's G3 Coolmore Stud No Nay Never Fairy Bridge S. at Tipperary. Dropping back from a mile and a quarter to 7 1/2 furlongs here, the Joseph O'Brien-trained 6-4 favourite had only stablemate Night Of Romance (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) to worry about in the straight but stayed on in typically tenacious fashion to score by a length.

“They thought the style of training in America didn't suit her and when she came home Pat McCabe, who rides her out, and I thought she was back working really well and we were proved right,” McDonagh said. “She was lugging out off the fence and was pulling up a bit in the straight, but it is a good confidence-booster. She loves Leopardstown and maybe she'll go to the Matron or something like that now.”

Agartha, who had the misfortune to encounter Homeless Songs (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) when second to that star performer in Leopardstown's G3 Ballylinch Stud 1000 Guineas Trial Apr. 2 and when fifth behind her in the May 22 Irish 1000 Guineas itself, was also runner-up in the G1 Moyglare Stud S. at two. From the O'Briens' Whisperview operation, she is the first foal out of the strong-staying Listed Stanerra S. winner and G3 Irish St Leger Trial third Arya Tara (Ire) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) from the Aga Khan family of the G1 Prix Ganay hero Astarabad (Alleged), the high-class Azamour (Ire) (Night Shift) and the six-times group 1-winning The Autumn Sun (Aus) (Redoute's Choice {Aus}). Arya Tara's 2-year-old son of Churchill (Ire) named Agathon (Ire) was a €360,000 purchase by Justin Casse at Goffs Orby, while her 2021 and 2022 colts are by Ten Sovereigns (Ire).

Friday, Tipperary, Ireland
COOLMORE STUD NO NAY NEVER FAIRY BRIDGE S.-G3, €55,000, Tipperary, 8-26, 3yo/up, f/m, 7 1/2fT, 1:34.62, gd.
1–AGARTHA (IRE), 128, f, 3, by Caravaggio
     1st Dam: Arya Tara (Ire) (SW & GSP-Ire), by Dylan Thomas (Ire)
     2nd Dam: Anadiyla (Ire), by Barathea (Ire)
     3rd Dam: Anaza (Ire), by Darshaan (GB)
O-Scott C Heider; B-Whisperview Trading Ltd (IRE); T-Joseph O'Brien; J-Declan McDonogh. €33,000. Lifetime Record: G1SP-Ire, 13-3-5-2, $273,516. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Night Of Romance (GB), 133, f, 4, Night Of Thunder (Ire)–Shohrah (Ire), by Giant's Causeway.
1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (45,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT; 50,000gns HRA '21 TATTJU; 30,000gns RNA HRA '21 TATMA). O-E & S Racing; B-Llety Farms (GB); T-Joseph O'Brien. €11,000.
3–Spring Feeling (Fr), 128, f, 3, Buratino (Ire)–Royal Memory (GB), by Invincible Spirit (Ire).
1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O/B-Robert Ng (FR); T-Ken Condon. €5,500.
Margins: 1, 2 1/4, HF. Odds: 1.50, 8.50, 6.00.
Also Ran: Sh Boom (GB), Galleria Borghese (Ire), Honey Girl (GB), Prettiest, Improvised (Ire), West Coast (Ire), Illuminazione (Ire). Scratched: Statement (Ire). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

 

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Caravaggio’s Agartha Makes All In The Debutante

Acquired by Scott Heider after her success in Leopardstown's G3 Silver Flash S. July 22, Agartha (Ire) (Caravaggio) led her rivals a merry dance in the next seven-furlong stepping stone for the leading juvenile fillies in Saturday's G2 Alpha Centauri Debutante S. at The Curragh. Sent off the 4-1 co-favourite, the bay who was belatedly breaking her maiden last time was sent straight to the front by Declan McDonogh and never looked like being pegged back en route to a two-length defeat of the outsider Sunset Shiraz (Ire) (Time Test {GB}). One of the other co-favourites Discoveries (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), the full-sister to Alpha Centauri (Ire), was 2 1/2 lengths behind in third as most of the big names cracked under the pressure. “She's unreal, she's tough and Declan said she seems to go on any ground,” trainer Joseph O'Brien's assistant Brendan Powell said. “Last time out he made plenty of use of her and he's done the same today. You could see them trying to come at her one by one. She seems to stay well, she gallops well and puts her head down. Most of all she's an absolute trier. It's only onwards and upwards with her. She's tough and hardy.”

Agartha, whose maiden defeats over shorter trips came behind the smart types Prettiest (Dubawi {Ire}) and Sacred Bridge (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}), was second to TDN Rising Star Homeless Songs (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) stepping up to this trip for the first time at Leopardstown July 8 prior to her dynamic Silver Flash display. Bred by the O'Briens, the dam Arya Tara (Ire) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) who started at Ballydoyle before joining this stable took the 14-furlong Listed Stanerra S. and was third in the G3 Irish St Leger Trial over that trip. Blended with the speed influence Caravaggio, Agartha is the result of that experiment and a notable first foal to be followed by a yearling son of Churchill (Ire). This is an Aga Khan family featuring the G1 Prix Ganay hero Astarabad (Alleged), the high-class Azamour (Ire) (Night Shift) and the six-times group 1-winning The Autumn Sun (Aus) (Redoute's Choice {Aus}).

Saturday, Curragh, Ireland
ALPHA CENTAURI DEBUTANTE S.-G2, €100,000, Curragh, 8-21, 2yo, f, 7fT, 1:27.49, sf.
1–AGARTHA (IRE), 128, f, 2, by Caravaggio
1st Dam: Arya Tara (Ire) (SW & GSP-Ire), by Dylan Thomas (Ire)
2nd Dam: Anadiyla (Ire), by Barathea (Ire)
3rd Dam: Anaza (Ire), by Darshaan (GB)
O-Scott C Heider; B-Whisperview Trading Ltd (IRE); T-Joseph O'Brien; J-Declan McDonogh. €60,000. Lifetime Record: 6-2-2-2, $115,832. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Sunset Shiraz (Ire), 128, f, 2, Time Test (GB)–Sunny Again (GB), by Shirocco (Ger). (£100,000 Ylg '20 GOFOR). O-Lindsay Laroche; B-Mount Coote Estates (IRE); T-Gavin Cromwell. €20,000.
3–Discoveries (Ire), 128, f, 2, Mastercraftsman (Ire)–Alpha Lupi (Ire), by Rahy. O/B-Niarchos Family (IRE); T-Jessica Harrington. €10,000.
Margins: 2, 2HF, HD. Odds: 4.00, 25.00, 4.00.
Also Ran: Seisai (Ire), Mise Le Meas (Ire), Twinkle (Ire), Concert Hall (Ire), Hapipi Go Lucky (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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