Lumiere Rock has danced every dance this season. Her big moment at the Irish Champions Festival was richly deserved but it was achieved in far more tenacious fashion than the three-length winning margin would suggest. 

Having gone out on her sword behind the fantastically-talented French filly Jannah Rose (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) in her own backyard at Deauville last month, Lumiere Rock's ability was clear for everyone to see, and she confirmed herself a smart sort in her own right in grabbing the Blandford by the scruff of the neck in first-time cheekpieces. 

The race-winning move came over two furlongs out when Browne McMonagle, rightly considered one of the hottest riding prospects in Europe, sent the 6-1 shot to the front. From there, Lumiere Rock was not for catching, with Aidan O'Brien's Jackie Oh (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) coming through to finish a never-nearer second while the sponsor's Trevaunance (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}) finished a credible third. 

“She has been keeping really good company all season,” O'Brien said afterwards. “She was just beaten at Ascot and narrowly beaten again in France the last day. She really did deserve her win at Group 2 level today and won in the style of a filly who will hold her own in Group 1 company as she gets older.”

Lumiere Rock carried the colours of Michael O'Flynn, the property developer who is synonymous for owning top-class jumpers with Mouse Morris, including Grade 1-winning chaser China Rock and one-time exciting novice hurdler Venalmar. 

However, the striking red and yellow silks have been spotted more frequently on the Flat in recent years, through O'Flynn's association with the stables of O'Brien and Johnny Murtagh, and the owner explained how he enjoys the balance between the two codes. 

“I am enjoying it,” the owner said. “I am having more of an involvement on the Flat, which I am really enjoying, but I love the National Hunt. I must say, with Joseph and Johnny Murtagh on the Flat, I have had some really interesting runners and winners. I am favouring a little bit more towards the Flat but I still love the National Hunt.”

O'Brien confirmed that Lumiere Rock could take in a Group 1 contest on her next start.

He said, “I suppose the obvious targets could be Arc day at Longchamp or Ascot for Champions Day. We'll see how she comes out of this and she'll tell us.”

Pedigree Notes

One of seven stakes winners for her Coolmore sire, Lumiere Rock is out of the placed Last Gold (Fr) (Gold Away {Ire}). She is a half-sister to the 2-year-old filly Forthright (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}), a yearling filly by Starspangledbanner (Aus) bound for Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Sale as lot 1237, and a colt foal by Kodi Bear (Ire).

Second dam Baahama (Ire) (Anabaa) won the Listed Prix Charles Laffitte and was runner-up in the G3 Prix d'Aumale. At stud she foaled a pair of Deep Impact (Jpn) French Group 3 winners–Akihiro (Jpn) and Bartaba (Fr).

Sunday, Curragh, Ireland
MOYGLARE “JEWELS” BLANDFORD S.-G2, €200,000, Curragh, 9-10, 3yo/up, f/m, 10fT, 2:07.89, g/y.
1–LUMIERE ROCK (IRE), 128, f, 3, by Saxon Warrior (Jpn)
1st Dam: Last Gold (Fr), by Gold Away (Ire)
2nd Dam: Baahama (Ire), by Anabaa
3rd Dam: Silver Rain (Fr), by Rainbow Quest
(55,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-Michael O'Flynn; B-The Last
Partnership (IRE); T-Joseph O'Brien; J-Dylan Browne
McMonagle. €120,000. Lifetime Record: GSP-Eng & Fr,
10-2-5-0, $302,830. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the
   eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the
   free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Jackie Oh (Ire), 128, f, 3, Galileo (Ire)–Jacqueline Quest (Ire),
by Rock Of Gibraltar (Ire). O-Triermore Stud, Mrs J Magnier &
M Tabor; B-C O P Hanbury (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. €40,000.
3–Trevaunance (Ire), 134, f, 4, Muhaarar (GB)–Liber Nauticus
(Ire), by Azamour (Ire). O/B-Moyglare Stud Farm (IRE);
T-Jessica Harrington. €20,000.
Margins: 3, HF, 3/4. Odds: 6.00, 3.20, 8.00.
Also Ran: Araminta (Ire), Red Riding Hood (Ire), Unless, Insinuendo (Ire), Never Ending Story (Ire), Caroline Street, Alanya (Fr), Mashia (Ire). VIDEO.

Group 2 breakthrough for Lumiere Rock!

The five-time runner-up gets her deserved turn in the @MoyglareStud “Jewels” Blandford Stakes in the colours of Michael O'Flynn for @DylanBrowneMcM and @JosephOBrien2 pic.twitter.com/ZUDzMl4kue

— The Curragh Racecourse (@curraghrace) September 10, 2023

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White Birch overcame a nightmare start to finish an excellent third in the Derby behind Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). He was ridden at Epsom by Colin Keane but, with the reigning Irish champion jockey suspended for Sunday's highlight, Murphy has turned to Browne McMonagle to ride the Chantal Regalado-Gonzalez-owned colt. 

Speaking of his delight about the call up, Browne McMonagle told Racing TV, “I'm delighted to get the leg up, massive thanks to connections and Mr Murphy and all the gang down there. It is a great ride to pick up and I'm just blessed to get the leg over him.

“It's my first ride in the race, so hopefully we will have a bit of luck. He has got good form coming into it. I think the Curragh will suit him well.”

Browne McMonagle is based with Joseph O'Brien, for whom he partnered his first Group 1 victory aboard Al Riffa (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) in the National S. at the Curragh last season. 

While acknowledging that his Irish Derby mount has a tendency to break slowly from the stalls, Browne McMonagle says that he is confident that, if the colt can get away with that anywhere, the Curragh is the place given the fairness of the track. 

“He's a bit awkward away from the gates but I think if it happens again we won't be worrying because in the Curragh you have got plenty of time to get into it. There's a long straight there, so hopefully he has got a live chance and can run a big race.”

“He has won on heavy and he has form on good to firm ground, so we are going to have no worries that way. He's fairly versatile and I think the Curragh is going to suit him well. He's going to have plenty of time to get into it, it is a big galloping track.”

Browne McMonagle added, “He seems to be getting to the line well on his last couple of starts. Hopefully, he will be bang there.”

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The eventual winner employed patient tactics for the most part and settled off the tempo in seventh through halfway. Making stealthy headway in the straight, the 11-2 chance launched her challenge approaching the final furlong and was ridden out in the closing stages to comfortably hold stablemate Lumiere Rock (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) by a half-length.

“They are two very nice fillies and it was a great result,” said O'Brien. “I was quite impressed with Caroline Street and, when Dylan [Browne McMonagle] asked for a bit of gas at the bottom of the straight he was nearly taking her back. We were going a mile-and-a-quarter and she's a No Nay Never, so we were riding her patiently and he gave her a lovely confident ride. We might look at the [G1] Pretty Polly and we'll have a look at the [G1] Irish 1000 Guineas. There is the Saratoga Oaks in the Autumn and that would be a nice target for her, but she will have to go somewhere between now and then. She's handled soft [going], so I think she's pretty versatile ground-wise.”

Pedigree Notes

Caroline Street, who becomes the 28th pattern-race winner for her sire (by Scat Daddy), is the first of three foals produced by G3 Gallinule S. third Harvestfortheworld (Ire) (So You Think (NZ), herself a half-sister to G2 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 third Rutland Boy (GB) (Bertolini) and the stakes-placed Soul Searcher (Ire) (Motivator {GB}). The April-foaled dark bay's third dam El Opera (Sadler's Wells) is kin to G1 Phoenix S. heroine Pharaoh's Delight (Fairy King), whose descendants include GI Breeders' Cup Turf and GI Man O' War S. hero Red Rocks (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Harvestfortheworld, who was bred to Munnings this year, has a 2-year-old colt and yearling colt by Into Mischief to come.

Saturday, Naas, Ireland
AL SHIRAAA RACING IRISH EBF BLUE WIND S.-G3, €65,000, Naas, 5-6, 3yo, f, 10fT, 2:09.44, gd/yl.
1–CAROLINE STREET, 128, f, 3, by No Nay Never
1st Dam: Harvestfortheworld (Ire) (GSP-Ire), by So You Think (NZ)
2nd Dam: Israar (GB), by Machiavellian
3rd Dam: El Opera (Ire), by Sadler's Wells
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. ($200,000 Ylg '21 FTSAUG). O-Marc Detampel & Michael Buckley; B-Grantley Acres, Ryan Conner & Ron Davidson (KY); T-Joseph O'Brien; J-Dylan Browne McMonagle. €39,000. Lifetime Record: 5-2-1-0, $82,284. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Lumiere Rock (Ire), 131, f, 3, Saxon Warrior (Jpn)–Last Gold (Fr), by Gold Away (Ire). (55,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-Michael O'Flynn; B-The Last Partnership (IRE); T-Joseph O'Brien. €13,000.
3–Red Riding Hood (Ire), 128, f, 3, Justify–Ballydoyle (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor & Westerberg; B-Coolmore (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. €6,500.
Margins: HF, NK, 4. Odds: 5.50, 3.33, 5.50.
Also Ran: Keep In Touch (Ire), Foniska (Ire), Drummin Life (Ire), Fast Tara (Ire), Diamondsareforever (Ire).

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McManus, who is a 19-time champion National Hunt owner in Ireland, received the Contribution to the Industry Award. He has been associated with many of the top jumps horses for over 40 years with more 4,000 winners, including Mister Donavan (Choral Society {GB}), Jack Of Trumps (Kings Theatre {Ire}) and Deep Gale (Deep Run {GB}). He is a six-time Champion Hurdle-winning owner, two-time Grand National winner with Don't Push It (Old Vic [GB}) and Minella Times (Oscar {Ire}), and the Cheltenham Gold Cup went his way with Synchronised (Sadler's Wells).

Manning, who concluded his 40 years in the saddle this fall, was bestowed the Irish Racing Hero Award. He was champion apprentice in 1984 and 1987 and he won 36 Group 1 winners over his remarkable career, including the Epsom Derby aboard New Approach (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in 2008, the Irish Derby on Trading Leather (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) Hong Kong Cup on Alexander Goldrun (Ire) (Gold Away [Ire}) in 2004.

The Kenny Alexander-owned Honeysuckle (GB) (Sulamani {Ire}) was crowned Horse of the Year for the second consecutive year after extending her winning streak to 16 races. She remained unbeaten for a fourth season and added Hatton's Grace Hurdle for a third time, the Irish Champion Hurdle and the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival for a second time, and the Champion Hurdle at Punchestown.

Jockey Sam Ewing received the Emerging Talent Award, the National Hunt Award went to Henry de Bromhead, the National Hunt Achievement Award was won by John 'Shark' Hanlon, Liz Lalor earned the Point-To-Point honor, the Flat Award went to Billy Lee, the Flat Achievement Award was given to Dylan Browne McMonagle and Wayne Lordan was honored with the Ride of the Year for his effort aboard  Waterville in the Friends of The Curragh Irish Cesarewitch.

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“It's unbelievable,” said Browne McMonagle after claiming a maiden top-level success. “He was very straightforward from the gates. He jumped, travelled good and loved the soft conditions. I was really happy the whole way through. I was keen to move up to the boys going to the three [furlong pole]. I didn't want them to get too far in front of me in that ground because it would have been hard to peg them back. As soon as I gave him a little kick in the belly and he moved onto the bridle, I was always the winner. I was travelling over the top of them, he picked up good and put it to bed very quick. It's hard to believe and, hopefully it's the first of many. It's down to Joseph [O'Brien] and a massive thanks to everyone behind the scenes at home. I wouldn't be here without my family, Mum and Dad and everyone's here today so it's great. It means a lot, I couldn't have done it on a bigger stage and it's great to get one.”

Al Riffa, who becomes the sixth Group 1 winner for his sire (by Iffraaj {GB}), is the lone scorer produced by an unraced daughter of the stakes-winning Moments Of Joy (GB) (Darshaan {GB}), who also threw the dual G3 Sagaro S. victor Mizzou (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), G3 Give Thanks S. placegetter Eternal Bounty (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) and G3 Noblesse S. third Unity (Ire) (Sadler's Wells). Eternal Bounty is the dam of G3 Hampton Court S. third Secret Protector (War Front) while Unity's leading performer is Listed Wild Flower S. victor Crimean Tatar (Tur) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). Moments Of Joy is the leading representative of G1 Yorkshire Oaks and G1 Prix Vermeille-winning champion My Emma (GB) (Marju {Ire}), herself a half-sister to G1 St Leger and G1 Gold Cup hero Classic Cliche (Ire) (Salse). Love On My Mind has a yearling filly by Land Force (Ire) to come.

Sunday, Curragh, Ireland
GOFFS VINCENT O'BRIEN NATIONAL S.-G1, €400,000, Curragh, 9-11, 2yo, c/f, 7fT, 1:29.31, sf.
1–AL RIFFA (FR), 131, c, 2, by Wootton Bassett (GB)
1st Dam: Love On My Mind (Ire), by Galileo (Ire)
2nd Dam: Moments Of Joy (GB), by Darshaan (GB)
3rd Dam: My Emma (GB), by Marju (Ire)
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN; 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (€31,000 Wlg '20 ARQDEC; 150,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-Jassim Bin Ali Al Attiyah; B-SARL de Chambure Haras d'Etreham, Benoit Chalmel & SARL Compagni (FR); T-Joseph O'Brien; J-Dylan Browne McMonagle. €240,000. Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0, $256,256. Werk Nick Rating: C+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Proud And Regal (Ire), 131, c, 2, Galileo (Ire)–Simply Perfect (GB), by Danehill. 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor & Westerberg; B-Coolmore (IRE); T-Donnacha O'Brien. €80,000.
3–Shartash (Ire), 131, c, 2, Invincible Spirit (Ire)–Shamreen (Ire), by Dubawi (Ire). O-H H The Aga Khan; B-H H The Aga Khan's Studs SC (IRE); T-Johnny Murtagh. €40,000.
Margins: 1 1/4, HF, 1 1/4. Odds: 9.00, 9.00, 14.00.
Also Ran: Aesop's Fables (Ire), Hans Andersen (GB), Marbaan (GB).

A first G1 success for Dylan Browne McMonagle who guides Al Riffa to glory in the G1 @Goffs1866 Vincent O'Brien National Stakes

A second win in the race for @JosephOBrien2 @curraghrace @IrishChampsWknd #LICW22 pic.twitter.com/fUuGgvOS9B

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 11, 2022

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Tranquil Lady, who had been second to the smart Limiti di Greccio (Ire) (Elzaam {Aus}) in The Curragh's Listed Staffordstown Stud S. in October, was paying a compliment to the Salsabil one-two Concert Hall (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Magical Lagoon (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) here but her trainer believes she was not seen at her best on that occasion. “I don't know why she didn't really fire in Navan, it wasn't a bad run and it was probably a good race but we were hoping for more and it's nice to see her doing it today,” he revealed. “This was plan b to come here, to be honest, but she came out of Navan well and we thought it was a suitable race. I was a bit worried about the [easy] ground and [Teme Valley racing manager] Richard [Ryan] convinced me to run her. I don't think she wants it too soft, but she handled it well and Dylan gave her a lovely ride.” Of the yard's well-regarded Tosen Lydia, who met with defeat for the first time and was left behind by the front two, he added, “She probably won't go to the Oaks. We think she's a good filly, but I'm not sure if she might be best at a mile.”

Tranquil Lady is the third foal out of the unraced dam, with the second State of Rest already a G1 Cox Plate and GI Saratoga Derby Invitational hero prior to his weekend exploits in ParisLongchamp. The second dam Monaassabaat (Zilzal) took the Listed Virginia S. before producing the listed scorers Prince Alzain (Street Sense) and Echo River (Irish River {Fr}), with the latter also second inn the G3 May Hill S. She is also the second dam of the G2 Royal Lodge S. and G2 Vintage S. runner-up Artigiano (Distorted Humor) and listed-placed Dubai Legacy (Discreet Cat).

The third dam is the 16-times-winning dual GI Vanity H. heroine and champion It's In the Air (Mr. Prospector), whose descendants include the triple group 1-winning Champion S. hero Storming Home (GB) (Machiavellian), the GI American Oaks heroine Music Note (A. P. Indy) and her G1 Dubai World Cup-winning son Mystic Guide (Ghostzapper), plus the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches winner Musical Chimes (In Excess {Ire}). Repose's 2-year-old filly Double Scoop (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) was a €180,000 purchase by Anthony Dutrow at the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale.

Saturday, Naas, Ireland
IRISH STALLION FARMS EBF BLUE WIND S.-G3, €65,000, Naas, 5-7, 3yo, f, 10fT, 2:14.75, y/s.
1–TRANQUIL LADY (IRE), 128, f, 3, by Australia (GB)
     1st Dam: Repose, by Quiet American
     2nd Dam: Monaassabaat, by Zilzal
     3rd Dam: It's in the Air, by Mr. Prospector
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GROUP WIN. (€30,000 RNA Wlg '19 GOFNOV; £160,000 Ylg '20 GOFOR). O-Teme Valley; B-Tinnakill Bloodstock Ltd (IRE); T-Joseph O'Brien; J-Dylan Browne McMonagle. €39,000. Lifetime Record: 5-2-1-0, $68,939. *1/2 to State of Rest (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), G1SW-Aus, G1SW-Fr, GISW-US, GSP-Eng, SP-Ire, $3,050,924. Werk Nick Rating: F. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Lily Pond (Ire), 128, f, 3, Galileo (Ire)–Alluringly, by Fastnet Rock (Aus).
1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Mrs.J Magnier/M Tabor/D Smith/Westerberg; B-Coolmore (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. €13,000.
3–Tosen Lydia (Ire), 128, f, 3, The Gurkha (Ire)–Early Addition (Ire), by Makfi (GB).
1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Takaya Shimakawa; B-Michael Cunningham (IRE); T-Joseph O'Brien. €6,500.
Margins: 4, 5HF, 5. Odds: 3.00, 2.75, 3.00.
Also Ran: Eclat de Lumiere (Ire), River Rain (Ire), Sister Bridget (Ire). Scratched: Albula (Ire). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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