Making amends for a narrow eclipse at Newmarket, The Aga Khan's Tahiyra (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) returned to re-establish her dominance at The Curragh on Sunday, providing Dermot Weld with a sixth G1 Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas and completing a weekend Classic double for her sire in the process.
So impressive when taking the G1 Moyglare S. here in September, the TDN Rising Star was quicker away here than in the 1000 Guineas and able to draft in behind Meditate (Ire) (No Nay Never) and that runner's stablemate and pacemaker Dower House (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).
Delivered by Chris Hayes to tackle Meditate approaching the furlong pole, the 2-5 favourite asserted to confirm the Moyglare form by 1 1/2 lengths, with Jim Bolger's 150-1 shot Comhra (Ire) (Vocalised) a strong-closing head away in third.
Weld said, “She was in a pocket, but when you have a very good horse they have the pace to get out of that pocket. I was always comfortable.
“The plan was to hold on to her and ride her for speed. My only concern was whether she would let herself down on the quick ground. They have done a good job here.
“We'll see how she comes out of this race and obviously we will think about the Coronation S.”
The Aga Khan's daughter, Princess Zara, was in attendance to witness Tahiyra secure a commanding success. Her brown and green silks were also carried by the fourth, Tarawa (Ire) (Shamardal), who supplied Weld with a one-four in the race.
Princess Zara said, “She was very brave and she kept at it and won beautifully. Looking at what she did today, and Paddington yesterday, I think we have a good set of Guineas there. To have a homebred like this is lovely to see.”
Pat Downes, manager of the Aga Khan's Gilltown Stud, echoed the sentiments of Princess Zara and lauded the Haras de Bonneval-based Siyouni.
He said, “These are the kind of results that a stallion needs to achieve to be put in the elite bracket worldwide. They are two very big wins for the horse this weekend and he's just a very good stallion, we knew that already, but they have to keep on producing these big results to maintain their elite bracket status. Thankfully, this has been a great weekend for Siyouni.”
Saturday's dour weather at Newmarket means that only the tough need apply in Sunday's G1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas. A preference for testing ground is a must and so TDN Rising Star Tahiyra (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) seems in pole position given how electric she was on it when dealing with Meditate (Ire) (No Nay Never) in the G1 Moyglare Stud S. at The Curragh in September. Dermot Weld resisted the temptation to come here with Homeless Songs (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) 12 months ago, despite the fact that she could have ended his long drought in the race and his unerring judgment could be rewarded quickly by The Aga Khan's half-sister to Tarnawa (Ire) (Shamardal). Despite his reservations about whether she is at a peak, it speaks volumes that such a sage is happy to let her run and suggests we are dealing with something as special as she looked when we last witnessed her at The Curragh.
Ready For Remarquee
Newbury's ground for the G3 Fred Darling S. was worse than it is here, so Julian Richmond-Watson's Remarquee (GB) (Kingman {GB}) comes into play particularly as she is bred to stay at least this mile and probably further. From the family of the Oaks heroine Look Here (GB) (Hernando {Fr}) and the G1 Prix Royal Oak winner Scope (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), the homebred has enjoyed the injection of pace that Kingman provides and looks a deadly proposition here. “She didn't really get the run of the race and Rob [Hornby] dropped his stick with half a furlong to run, yet she still won with one ear pricked, having wandered around. She'll have learned a lot,” trainer Ralph Beckett said. “We've been here before, having won a few Fred Darlings, and it can be tough getting a filly back in time for the Guineas but all of the signs are good. She didn't have a hard race and I'm very happy with her.”
Loaded Amo
Amo Racing's season has started with a bang and their G3 Nell Gwyn S. winner Mammas Girl (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) was the main contributor as she dominated the G3 Nell Gwyn S. here last month. Richard Hannon has either been the name next to or been directly involved with the winner of this twice in the last 10 years and racing and operations manager Tom Pennington is hoping it can be three. “She goes there having won twice at the track and some experts have said she is not going to get the trip, but I disagree,” he said. “She's a relaxed and laid-back filly and I really don't see the mile being an issue.”
Second behind her in the Nell Gwyn was the solid Fairy Cross (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), but it has been clear for a while that Charlie Appleby's number one is Dream Of Love (Ire) (Shamardal).
Lively Longshots
Anybody who witnessed the G2 May Hill S. success of Polly Pott (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}) at Doncaster in September will remember how effective she is on rain-softened ground and it may be that her subsequent fourth to Commissioning (GB) (Kingman {GB}) in the G1 Fillies' Mile here was one run too many. Now with Ben Pauling, she rates as having a genuine squeak along with Jaber Abdullah's Listed Star S. winner Dance In The Grass (GB) (Cracksman {GB}) and Hunscote Stud's Listed Montrose Fillies' S. scorer Caernarfon (GB) (Cityscape {GB}) who will both relish the ground.
Mick Channon made an instant impact in his training career, but missed out on Guineas success a few times so it would be fitting if his son Jack could land one on his first attempt. “She is in great form and trained really well all winter and her work, touch wood, has been perfect,” he said of Caernarfon. “I think we've got her exactly where we want her and it will be down to simply whether she is good enough now. She had a decent amount of experience as a 2-year-old, she won over course and distance last time and she is not a filly who is too hard to get fit.”
Time For Adayar
Following the romp of Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) on Friday, Godolphin's other star FrankelAdayar (Ire) also comes to the Rowley Mile for the rescheduled G3 Gordon Richards S. lost from Sandown last week. The 2021 Derby and King George hero is up against Shadwell's G2 Prix Dollar winner Anmaat (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}) as he would have been last Friday, but also White Birch Farm's unbeaten and unexposed Francesco Clemente (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}).
Charlie Appleby also saddles two in the Listed Pretty Polly S., with William Buick on the impressive Southwell novice scorer Queen Of Fairies (GB) (Cracksman {GB}), and last year's winner of that Oaks trial With The Moonlight (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) in the G2 Dahlia S. Already successful in the G2 Cape Verdi and G2 Balanchine in 2023, she is back from an encounter with the high-class In Italian (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in Keeneland's GI Jenny Wiley S. and has it easier here despite carrying three pounds more than her rivals. She is joined by last year's G1 Falmouth S. heroine Prosperous Voyage (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) and fellow Godolphin representative and TDN Rising Star Life In Motion (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), another of Andre Fabre's keenly-aimed arrows at a race he has won twice since 2014 at the track he loves.
“With The Moonlight came back from Keeneland in great order and is a rock-solid filly,” Appleby said. “Nine furlongs is a perfect distance for her and she should be a big player, even with her penalty, providing the ground doesn't get too testing.”
London Calling
With Aidan O'Brien relying solely on Meditate (Ire) (No Nay Never) in the 1000 Guineas, Wayne Lordan stays at Leopardstown to take the mount on the stable's TDN Rising Star Tower Of London (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G3 Derby Trial S. The full-brother to Capri (Ire) did everything the wrong way round in the G2 Champions Juvenile S. when last seen here in September and looks a stronger candidate than the yard's G3 Prix Noailles fourth Londoner (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}). Both have a high bar to reach to get to the G1 Criterium International winner Proud And Regal (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), while the G3 Ballysax S. runner-up Up And Under (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) adds further intrigue in another O'Brien-dominated Classic trial.
“We're not 100% sure what his trip is going to be, whether he will be a 10- or 12-furlong horse or maybe even he drops back to a mile, but it is great to get him started,” Donnacha said of Proud And Regal. “The hope is that he becomes a Derby horse, that's the dream, but I guess we will find out more on Sunday. If he goes and wins well, we will for sure have to have a look at Epsom, but if he didn't we may have to alter our plans.”
Will His Highness The Aga Khan's explosive G1 Moyglare Stud S. heroine Tahiyra build on her brilliance from last autumn, or will the Coolmore partners' Meditate consolidate her Breeders' Cup victory in Classic fashion? An even score of fillies test their mettle on the Rowley Mile, and with the changeable weather, it is anyone's guess who will emerge triumphant.
CAERNARFON (GB), Cityscape (GB)–Royal Ffanci (GB) (Royal Applause {GB}) Owner: Hunscote Stud, P Humphreys & J Sweeney Breeder: Hunscote Stud Trainer: Jack Channon Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Brother to Dan's Dream, who recorded Group 3 success for this stable as a 2-year-old. Lively outsider.
DANCE IN THE GRASS (GB), Cracksman (GB)–Dance The Dream (GB) (Sir Percy {GB}) Owner: Jaber Abdullah Breeder: Minster Stud And Mrs H Dalgety Trainer: Charlie Johnston Sales History: 57,000gns Tattersalls Book 1 yearling Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: First foal out of the listed-placed Dance The Dream, who is a full-sister to smart juvenile hurdler Knight Salute (GB). Family goes back to Cheshire Oaks winner Shadow Dancing (GB) (Unfuwain). Failed to build on her initial promise at two when well-beaten in a pair of Group 2 contests but could out-run her odds.
DREAM OF LOVE (IRE), Shamardal–Secret Gesture (Galileo {Ire}) Owner/Breeder: Godolphin Trainer: Charlie Appleby Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Boasts one of the strongest pedigrees in the race being a daughter of Oaks runner-up and Group 2 winner Secret Gesture. Half-sister to Final Gesture (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), an impressive winner of a 1m6f listed race on debut for Paddy Twomey, and Silent Wave (GB) (War Front), placed in a listed contest over five furlongs. Beaten by Mawj (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) when last seen in Dubai but the choice of William Buick.
EMBRACE (IRE), Lope De Vega (Ire)–Whazzis (GB) (Desert Prince {Ire}) Owner: Ahmad Alkhallafi Breeder: New England Stud & Mount Coote Stud Trainer: Owen Burrows Sales History: 70,000gns Tattersalls October Book 2 yearling Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Related to lots of winners. Dam won a Group 3 in Italy for William Haggas and is a half-sister to Whazzat (GB) (Daylami {Ire}), notably the producer of James Garfield (Ire). Tendency to race keenly but shaped as though improvement likely on seasonal return at Newbury when flashing home for fourth in a Group 3.
FAIRY CROSS (IRE), Dubawi (Ire)–Devonshire (Ire) (Fast Company {Ire}) Owner/Breeder: Godolphin Trainer: Charlie Appleby Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Third foal out of Group 2 winner Devonshire, whose dam showed plenty of speed albeit in handicaps. Dream Of Love appears the stable's first choice on jockey bookings.
KARSAVINA (GB), Ulysses (Ire)–Osipova (GB) (Makfi {GB}) Owner/Breeder: Cheveley Park Stud Trainer: Clive Cox Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Half-sister to Positive (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}), a Group 3 winner for this stable. Dam a half-sister to Group 3 winner Zonderland (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}) and out of a sister to the listed-placed Safina (GB) (Pivotal). Over four lengths to make up on Mammas Girl (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) on their Nell Gwyn clash last month.
LEZOO (GB), Zoustar (Aus)–Roger Sez (Ire) (Red Clubs {Ire}) Owner: Marc Chan & Andrew Rosen Breeder: Chasemore Farm Trainer: Ralph Beckett Sales History: 77,000gns Tattersalls October Book 3 yearling; €110,000 Arqana Breeze-Up 2-year-old Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Half-sister to three winners. Dam was a speedy performer herself and landed a Group 3 over six furlongs. That is the main question mark hanging over Lezoo here–her ability to see out the mile, given her best form was recorded over sprint trips as a 2-year-old.
MAMMAS GIRL (GB), Havana Grey (GB)–Mamma Morton (Ire) (Elnadim) Owner: Amo Racing Limited Breeder: Robert Cornelius Trainer: Richard Hannon Sales History: £35,000 buy at the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Half-sister to black-type performers Master Of War (GB) (Compton Place {GB}) and Life In Colour (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) out of prolific producer Mamma Morton who is out of the G1 French 1000 Guineas third Gharam (Green Dancer). Entered the picture for this race when posting a hugely-impressive performance to win the Nell Gwyn. Leading player.
G3 Winner for HAVANA GREY
Wow How impressive was that!?
MAMMAS GIRL cements herself as a high-class 3yo with a top performance in the G3 Nell Gwyn Stakes @NewmarketRace on only her second start!
MATILDA PICOTTE (IRE), Sioux Nation–Hallie's Comet (Ire) (One Cool Cat) Owner: Matilda & Kilmichael Racing Partnership Breeder: Mighty Universe Ltd Trainer: Kieran Cotter Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Half-sister to four individual winners, none of which were any superstars, but the dam was group-placed over six furlongs as a 2-year-old and managed to win over a mile later in her career. Matilda Picotte emerged with plenty of credit from her G3 1000 Guineas Trial second when failing to get home on heavy ground having raced a bit keen on the front end. Must have big each-way claims if settling better off this stronger pace which is likely.
MAWJ (IRE), Exceed And Excel (Aus)–Modern Ideal (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) 'TDN Rising Star' Owner/Breeder: Godolphin Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Half-sister to G1 French 2000 Guineas winner and GI Breeders' Cup Turf Mile scorer Modern Games (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and classy performer Modern News (GB) (Shamardal). Beat Lezoo here in the G2 Duchess Of Cambridge S. last season and has already had a good year by winning back-to-back conditions races in Dubai.
MEDITATE (IRE), No Nay Never–Pembina (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}) Owner: M Tabor, D Smith, Mrs J Magnier & Westerberg Breeder: Lynch-Bages & Rhinestone Bloodstock Trainer: Aidan O'Brien Sales History: €360,000 Arqana August yearling Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Well-related to the nth degree, several of her relatives have been placed in this fillies' Classic, with Daban (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) and Hathrah (Ire) (Linamix {Fr}) both third in 2017 and 2004, respectively. The only filly in the field with four graded/group wins, the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf heroine will be tough to beat.
NAOMI LAPAGLIA (GB), Awtaad (Ire)–Hawaafez (GB) (Nayef) Owner: Edward Babington & Phil Cunningham Breeder: Shadwell Estate Company Ltd. Trainer: Richard Spencer Sales History: 2,000gns Tattersalls December foal Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: A half-sister to the stakes-winning and dual Group 3-placed Rogue Millennium (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), this filly is distant kin to Moonlight Cloud (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire]). Although she does hold a victory over the mile trip, Naomi Lapaglia's win was over the Kempton synthetic in her lone start to date.
OLIVIA MARALDA (IRE), Kodiac (GB)–Yajala (GB) (Fasliyev) Owner: Amo Coutinho Syndicate Breeder: Tally-Ho Stud Trainer: Roger Varian Sales History: 460,000gns Tattersalls Craven 2-year-old Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: One of three black-type horses out of the stakes-placed Yajala, Olivia Maralda is a half-sister to stakes winner Evil Spell (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}). She was second in the G2 Debutante by less than a length to Meditate, but it remains to be seen whether her progression has continued at three.
POLLY POTT (GB), Muhaarar (GB)–Must Be Me (GB) (Trade Fair {GB}) Owner: The Megsons Breeder: Biddestone Stud Ltd. Trainer: Ben Pauling Sales History: 21,000gns Tattersalls October Book 2 yearling Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: From the family of G1 Sussex S. hero Mohaather (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), the bay is the fourth foal of her dam. A consistent sort, the G2 May Hill S. heroine should have no problem with the distance, as she makes her first start for Ben Pauling.
POWERDRESS (IRE), Dandy Man (Ire)–Nuclear Option (Ire) (Frozen Power {Ire}) Owner: Martin Hughes Breeder: Milestream Stud Company Ltd. Trainer: Richard Hannon Sales History: €29,000 Goffs November foal; £130,000 Goffs UK Premier yearling Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Her biggest claim to fame is her fourth dam, American Horse of the Year All Along (Fr) (Targowice). Yet to face stakes company, this maiden winner faces an uphill battle.
QUEEN ME (IRE), Dubawi (Ire)–Queen Kindly (GB) (Frankel {GB}) Owner: Jaber Abdullah Breeder: Rabbah Bloodstock Ltd. Trainer: Kevin Ryan Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Out of the G2 Lowther S. heroine Queen Kindly, her second dam Lady Of The Desert (Rahy) claimed three group races and was placed three times at the highest level over sprint trips. Should finish in the top half of the field.
REMARQUEE (GB), Kingman (GB)–Regardez (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}) Owner: J H Richmond-Watson Breeder: Lawn Stud Trainer: Ralph Beckett Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Like Tahiyra yet to taste defeat, Remarquee is the fourth foal produced by American stakes winner Regardez, who ran third at Grade/Group 3 level thrice. Both of the Lawn Stud-bred's victories have occurred over seven furlongs, and if the cards fall just right, she could grab a piece of the Classic pie.
“It's very exciting to have a filly as good as this.”
Will Remarquee provide her connections with more Classic glory in Sunday's QIPCO 1000 Guineas?
STENTON GLIDER (IRE), Dandy Man (Ire)–Crystal Malt (Ire) (Intikhab) Owner: Mrs J Mairs & T S Mairs Breeder: Laurence Kennedy Trainer: Hugo Palmer Sales History: £35,000 Tattersalls Ireland September yearling Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: The second foal out of her dam, a granddaughter of G3 May Hill S. winner Solar Crystal (Ire) (Alzao). She was only a neck behind Remarquee in the G3 Fred Darling S., and could improve yet again.
SWEET HARMONY (IRE), No Nay Never–Last Waltz (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) Owner: Phil Cunningham Breeder: Rabbah Bloodstock Ltd. Trainer: Richard Spencer Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: A maiden winner, the bay is the second produce of Memories Of Silver S. second and G3 Weld Park S. third Last Waltz. Also related to G1 Lockinge S. winner Keltos (Fr) (Kendor {Fr}), this affair looks a stiff ask.
TAHIYRA (IRE), Siyouni (Fr)–Tarana (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}) 'TDN Rising Star' Owner: HH Aga Khan Breeder: His Highness The Aga Khan's Studs S C Trainer: Dermot Weld Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: The G1 Moyglare Stud S. heroine is the third foal out of her dual stakes-winning dam who was also third in the G3 Curragh Cup over 1 3/4 miles. Tarana has already thrown transatlantic heavy weight and Breeders' Cup heroine Tarnawa (Ire) (Shamardal). Thanks to the storms making their way through the region, her chances of success have only increased, as her Moyglare victory was accomplished in soft ground.
QIPCO 1000 Guineas runners:
Caernarfon
Dance In The Grass
Dream Of Love
Embrace
Fairy Cross
Karsavina
Lezoo
Mammas Girl
Matilda Picotte
Mawj
Meditate
Naomi Lapaglia
Olivia Maralda
Polly Pott
Powerdress
Queen Me
Remarquee
Stenton Glider
Sweet Harmony
Tahiyra pic.twitter.com/1CBo6AlRdm
Last term's undefeated G1 Moyglare Stud S. heroine and 'TDN Rising Star' Tahiyra (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) heads a confirmed cast of 20 after final declarations for Sunday's G1 Qipco 1000 Guineas were made Friday morning. The Dermot Weld trainee has been allocated gate 15 for the one-mile feature. She will be reopposed by Moyglare runner-up and G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf heroine Meditate (Ire) (No Nay Never), Aidan O'Brien's lone representative, who is drawn in stall eight. Godolphin's trio of contenders includes Saeed bin Suroor trainee and 'TDN Rising Star' Mawj (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), who makes her European return coming back from a successful two-race stint in Dubai. She has been drawn on the wing and will emerge from stall 17. Dream Of Love (Ire) (Shamardal), one of two representing Charlie Appleby, finished second to Mawj in January and has drawn stall 10. Appleby's other nominee Fairy Cross (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who also ran second to Mawj in Dubai, comes back off a second in the track's G3 Nell Gwyn S. and is housed next door to Tahiyra in 14. Impressive Nell Gwyn winner Mammas Girl (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) is widest of all in 20, while undefeated G3 Fred Darling S. victrix Remarquee (GB) (Kingman {GB}) gets the 13 gate.
Tahiyra is a Classic winner! She lands the @tatts_ireland 1000 Guineas for Dermot Weld & @chrishayes24 with a dominant performance @curraghrace @AgaKhanStuds
Four runs
Three wins
G1 Irish 1000 Guineas
G1 English 1000 Guineas pic.twitter.com/8I9JRZMHig
How impressive was that!?
