Tag: Navan Racecourse

Justify’s Statuette Earns TDN Rising Star Tag at Navan

Coolmore, Westerberg and Merriebelle Stables' 2-year-old filly Statuette (Justify–Immortal Verse {Ire}, by Pivotal {GB}) was hammered into 11-10 favoritism for Saturday's Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden at Navan and justified that welter of support by powering clear of her rivals in the latter stages to attain TDN Rising Stardom on debut. The March-foaled chestnut was well away to track the leaders in a share of third through the early stages. Nudged along to close soon after passing the quarter-mile marker, she quickened smartly to lead with 150 yards remaining and engaged turbo from there to prevail by an impressive three lengths from Olivia Maralda (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), becoming the second winner for her freshman sire (by Scat Daddy).

“It was nice to start her off on some nice ground,” said Ryan Moore. “She's a lovely, big filly and was a standout physically. She did that really nicely. She's a Justify out of Immortal Verse, so she's got an incredible pedigree. I'd like to think, looking at the size of her, that she will continue to progress throughout the season. She's a filly that Aidan [O'Brien] liked and I'm very happy with what she's done.” Ballydoyle's Chris Armstrong added, “She has always shown loads at home and could be a filly for the [G3] Albany [S. at Royal Ascot]. She's a very big filly, we'll take her home and see how she comes out of it. She is by Justify, an incredibly exciting sire, she's his first winner in Europe and he had a very good winner in America last weekend. We have some nice Justifys.”

Statuette is the latest of five foals and fourth scorer produced by Immortal Verse (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}), whose career highlights include victories in the G1 Coronation S. and G1 Prix Jacques Le Marois. Immortal Verse, who topped the 2013 Tattersalls December Mares sale when knocked down for 4,700,000gns, is the leading performer for Listed Prix La Camargo victrix and G3 Prix Fille de l'Air runner-up Side of Paradise (Ire) (Sadler's Wells), whose descendants include stakes-winning G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. runner-up Roseman (Ire) (Kingman {GB}). Side of Paradise is a full-sister to Listed Rose Bowl S. winner Flowerdrum (Ire) as well as being a half-sister to MG1SW sire Last Tycoon (Ire) (Try My Best), G3 Prix du Bois victrix The Perfect Life (Ire) (Try My Best) and dual G3 Goldene Peitsche-winning sire Astronef (Ire) (Be My Guest). Side of Paradise is also kin to the stakes-placed dam of G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches heroine Valentine Waltz (Ire) (Be My Guest) and G1 Matron S. victrix Sense of Style (Thunder Gulch). Black-type descendants of Statuette's third dam Mill Princess (Ire) (Mill Reef) also include top-level winners Hermosa (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Hydrangea (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), The United States (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Tie Black (Ire) (Machiavellian). Immortal Verse, whose leading performer is last year's G1 Cheveley Park S. victrix Tenebrism (Caravaggio), was bred to Justify last year.

1st-Navan, €16,000, Mdn, 5-28, 2yo, f, 5f 162yT, 1:11.55, gd.
STATUETTE, f, 2, by Justify
1st Dam: Immortal Verse (Ire) (Hwt. 3yo Filly-Eng at 7-.5f, G1SW-Eng & Fr, $1,053,873), by Pivotal (GB)
2nd Dam: Side of Paradise (Ire), by Sadler's Wells
3rd Dam: Mill Princess (Ire), by Mill Reef
1ST-TIME STARTER. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, €9,440. O-Westerberg, Coolmore & Merribelle Stables; B-Merriebelle Stables, Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt (KY); T-Aidan O'Brien. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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No Nay Never’s Aesop’s Fables Powers To TDN Rising Stardom at Navan

Aidan O'Brien's juvenile band is approaching full swing and the trainer's latest representative to hit the track, Coolmore and Westerberg's Aesop's Fables (Ire) (No Nay Never), earned 'TDN Rising Star' status with a taking debut display in Saturday's Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden at Navan. The 5 3/4-furlong dash was annexed last year by subsequent G3 Marble Hill S. runner-up, G2 Coventry S. fourth and G2 Railway S. third Masseto (GB) (Territories}) and Royal Ascot options abound for the half-brother to that meeting's Listed Windsor Castle S. hero Washington DC (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) following a 2 1/4-length defeat of Tanaiyla (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}). The 7-4 second favourite was sharply into stride from the outside stall to stalk the experienced 10-11 favourite Midnight Toker (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) in a close-up second through the early fractions. Nudged along at halfway, he came under increased urging once quickening to challenge passing the quarter-mile marker and found an additional gear inside the final furlong to go comfortably clear of his rivals.

“He's a very smart horse and has done all his homework very nicely,” commented Ballydoyle representative Chris Armstrong. “Aidan [O'Brien] was very happy with him and Ryan [Moore] has sat on him a few times and was very happy with him. We'll try and give him one run before [Royal] Ascot. It will either be in the valuable winners' race at Naas or there's a winners-of-one at the Curragh on June 1st. Then hopefully on to Ascot. Fingers crossed he is a very smart horse going forward. He's obviously from the family of Washington DC, who was a precocious 2-year-old, he's got plenty of options and is one you would love to have in your stable.”

Aesop's Fables is the latest of eight foals and sixth winner from as many runners produced by Listed Land O' Burns Fillies' S. third How's She Cuttin' (Ire) (Shinko Forest {Ire}), herself the leading performer out of a half-sister to the stakes-placed Escape Plan (Ire) (Key of Luck) and to the unraced dam of G3 Firth of Clyde S. victrix and G1 Cheveley Park S. runner-up Aspen Darlin (Ire) (Indian Haven {GB}). Hailing from the family of MG1SW sire Grand Lodge (Chief's Crown), the February-foaled bay is a half to G3 Phoenix Sprint S. victor and MG1SP sire Washington DC (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) and G3 Chester vase runner-up Sandhurst (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).

1st-Navan, €16,000, Mdn, 4-23, 2yo, 5f 164yT, 1:14.10, gd.
AESOP'S FABLES (IRE), c, 2, by No Nay Never
1st Dam: How's She Cuttin' (Ire) (SP-Eng, $111,446), by Shinko Forest (Ire)
2nd Dam: Magic Annemarie (Ire), by Dancing Dissident
3rd Dam: Magic Garter (GB), by Precocious (GB)
1ST-TIME STARTER. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $10,366. O-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier & Westerberg; B-Barronstown Stud (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO.

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McGarry To Succeed Killeen at Navan

Aidan McGarry will succeed Peter Killeen as the general manager of Navan Racecourse, Horse Racing Ireland announced Wednesday.

Killeen is retiring next week following a career that spanned 40 years in Irish racing. Having joined the Racing Board in 1980, he was involved in the introduction of the Computote betting system adopted by the Tote in the late 80s and was instrumental in the introduction of more recent advances in on-course Tote betting and technology.

Killeen was appointed manager of Tote Ireland operations in 1999 and held that position for 15 years before taking on the role of Navan general manager. He is to remain as an independent director on the board of the Association of Irish Racecourses (AIR).

“It's hard to believe that it's 40 years since I walked through the doors of the Racing Board's offices on Merrion Square, it really does feel like only yesterday,” Killeen reflected. “My first role was preparing the perforated Tote tickets that some people might remember!

“Perhaps people today might shudder at the thought of staying within a specific industry for such a time, but it afforded me opportunities to work in a variety of roles as the industry changed and adapted over the years. I've been very lucky in all that time, I worked with so many great people and many more great characters! Thanks to them all.

“I'm delighted with Aidan's appointment and I know that he will be a great addition to what is a fantastic team at Navan.”

McGarry, who has held a number of managerial roles within Horse Racing Ireland and Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, will assume his new role Mar. 29.

He said: “I can't thank Peter Killeen enough for the help and guidance he has given me as I prepare for this exciting new challenge. Navan is renowned as a top-class racecourse and the strength of the racing programme, both National Hunt and Flat, is a particular draw for me. I'm joining a great team and am very much looking forward to working with everyone at Navan.”

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