After Aidan O'Brien had taken Chester by storm to an even greater extent than usual, the Rosegreen purple patch continued apace at Cork on Friday evening when the closing race saw a TDN Rising Star performance by the newcomer Martinstown (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Named after J P McManus's famous Co. Limerick establishment, the May-foaled bay carries the colours of his daughter Sue Ann Foley who owns him in partnership with Susan Magnier and Michael Tabor and with his title there was an air of expectation surrounding his debut under Wayne Lordan. Slowly away and a touch free early in the 10-furlong Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden despite being found cover against the rail, the 5-1 shot followed the front trio into the straight and needed to be switched out to deliver his challenge approaching the two-furlong pole. Gradually reeling in his experienced peers, the son of the Listed Salsabil S. winner Alive Alive Oh (GB) (Duke of Marmalade {Ire}) gave a final surge to overwhelm Point Gellibrand (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) close home and prevail by half a length, with Flying Dolphin (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) the same margin back in third.
Aidan O'Brien is in no rush with the full-brother to last year's impressive G2 Park Hill S. scorer Free Wind (GB), despite the fact that he is engaged in the Derby at present. “He is lovely,” he said. “We are delighted with him, he is a lovely big horse and is still a baby. It took him halfway down the straight to get going and Wayne gave him a lovely ride and we think he will stay further. He was big, so we didn't like to force him but has a lovely cruise to him. We were trying to give him as much time as we can and J.P. and Sue-Ann said to take our time with him. We might look for a winners' race, a conditions race, or maybe a handicap.”
Martinstown is the third foal out of Alive Alive Oh, who was also third in the G3 Dance Design Fillies S. Her second is the aforementioned Free Wind, who was also a late-starter who went places fast last term, capturing the G3 Prix Minerve before her seven-length Park Hill romp. Fittingly, the second dam Higher Love (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) reached her career crescendo with a second-place finish in the Listed Cheshire Oaks which started Ballydoyle's flawless Chester May meeting on Wednesday and also produced the G3 Fukushima Kinen and G3 Tanabata Sho winner Crescendo Love (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}). Also related to the stable's 1000 Guineas heroine Virginia Waters (Kingmambo) and sire Chevalier (Ire) (Danehill), her yearling is a full-brother to the winner and Free Wind.
7th-Cork, €15,000, Mdn, 5-6, 3yo/up, c/g, 10f 40yT, 2:13.25, gd.
MARTINSTOWN (IRE), c, 3, by Galileo (Ire)
1st Dam: Alive Alive Oh (GB) (SW & GSP-Ire), by Duke of Marmalade (Ire)
2nd Dam: Higher Love (Ire), by Sadler's Wells
3rd Dam: Dollar Bird (Ire), by Kris (GB)
Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $9,485. O-Sue-Ann Foley & Mrs John Magnier & Michael Tabor; B-Mrs Sue Ann Foley (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO.
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