The Yorkshire Oaks is the preferred next destination for Rosscarbery (Ger) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) after she ran a fine second to Emily Dickinson (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) at the Curragh on Saturday.
Paddy Twomey's mare has won three times at Group 3 level and last summer came within a neck of claiming Group 1 glory in the Prix Jean Romanet, narrowly failing to reel in Aristia (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}).
Having finished fourth over 10 furlongs in the G1 Pretty Polly S. on her penultimate start, Rosscarbery stepped up to a-mile-and-three-quarters for last weekend's Curragh Cup–but after travelling strongly to the front, she was ousted by the hot favourite.
A return to Deauville for another tilt at the Romanet is not being ruled as the 5-year-old's next objective, but Twomey views the G1 Yorkshire Oaks on Aug. 24, over the intermediate distance of a mile and a half, as the ideal aim.
“She ran great on Saturday over a trip that is probably as far as she wants to go in ground that was more favourable to Emily Dickinson than her-she likes a bit of faster ground,” said the trainer on Tuesday.
“We have the Yorkshire Oaks and the Prix Jean Romanet in mind, that's why we ran her at the weekend as it fitted in perfectly in our schedule.
“Out of those, the preference is probably for the Yorkshire Oaks. The Romanet is the Sunday before and she was second in that last year.
“I think a-mile-and-a-half at York would be her ideal track and trip and very suitable for her, so that's what we have in mind.”
Paddy Twomey and statistics go hand in hand. It seems as though, whenever the trainer's name is mentioned, a number or a stat of some sort will follow. And it's easy to see why: statistically, Twomey is the most upwardly-mobile handler in Ireland.
This is a man who has been operating at a 23 per cent strike-rate or higher since 2018. That takes serious doing in an environment as competitive as Ireland.
While the 46-year-old has been training officially since 2012, his Tipperary-based operation has been open to outside owners for roughly half of that time, and boy has it snowballed in that period.
From sending out six winners from 26 runners domestically in 2018, Twomey has bettered that tally–and strike-rate–every year since, and sent out an incredible 31 winners from 105 runners which equated to a 30% hit-rate last year.
Of those 31 winners in Ireland, six were achieved with two-year-olds, including G3 Round Tower S. winner Treasure Trove, and the stable also broke the €1 million mark for prize-money earned for the first time in a season.
But the achievement that mattered the most to Twomey was a first Group 1 success achieved with La Petite Coco (Ire) (Ruler Of The World {Ire}) in the G1 Pretty Polly S. which was quickly followed by another top-flight victory to mark a season to remember when Pearls Galore (Fr) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) landed the G1 Matron S. on Irish Champion S.
“We try to improve every year,” says Twomey, reflecting on last year's achievements. “We had two Group 1 winners so that is where the bar is set. The aim is to try and keep on improving and to do the best we can by our horses.”
Twomey has a wealth of talent to work with for the upcoming season and is already off the mark courtesy of Irish St Leger hope French Claim. There are Group 1 aspirations for Rosscarbery, who changed hands for 1,000,000gns at the sales last December and will race in the colours of Lady Bamford this season, while the trainer has been typically-shrewd in adding to the ranks over the winter months.
Judging by the pedigrees on show in the two-year-old department, there are plenty of stars for the future waiting to bob their heads above the parapet and, while the trainer has 60 juveniles to run this season, he revealed that he would be happy if he could add “a good one” to the team at the upcoming breeze-up sale circuit.
“We're looking forward to the breeze-up sales and hope to be active at them. We will be at the Craven and at Doncaster and hope to travel to Arqana and possibly Goresbridge as well. If things fell our way and we managed to pick up a good one out of them, I would be delighted.”
Older Horses
French Claim (Fr) (French Fifteen {Fr})
Teme Valley Racing
He had a good year last year, was third in the Irish Derby, and finished up being rated 108. He wasn't beaten that far in the St Leger, when things didn't go his way, and then it was trainer error in the Irish Cesarewitch–I shouldn't have run him that day.
It was good to see him off the mark at Navan last week. That was a good starting point for him and I think he is an exciting horse for the year ahead.
Hopefully he can step up in a stakes race next, probably the Vintage Crop back at Navan next month, and then on to a Group race.
I think he appreciates an ease in the ground but he's a relentless galloper and hopefully we can have a good campaign with him. He could be an Irish Leger horse.
Rosscarbery (Ger) (Sea The Stars {Ire})
Lady Bamford
She was a great addition last year, starting in a maiden in April, taking us to Sligo and Roscommon and everywhere along the way. I enjoyed training her and she ran her best RPR on her last start-every time she ran, she ran better than the last day. She is very giving and very genuine.
She went to the sales at the end of last year and was sold but luckily Lady Bamford decided to send her back to us. We are very much looking forward to training her this year. She is a dual Group 3 winner and is Group 1-placed.
I think 10 and 12 furlongs is probably her optimum, she doesn't quite get 1m6f, and races like the Pretty Polly, Prix Jean Romanet and the Yorkshire Oaks could suit.
Ultimately, something like the Breeders' Cup Fillies and Mares at Santa Anita would be the goal, and I'd say her campaign will be very much geared towards the second half of the season.
Just Beautiful (GB) (Pride Of Dubai {Aus})
Moyglare Stud
A filly we are very keen on. She ran a good race in the G3 Renaissance S. at the Curragh at the end of last year and then we decided not to run her again with this year in mind. We had a couple of hold-ups in the spring of last year and it basically wiped out last season on us.
She has been training very well this winter and into this spring so she might start in the G3 Athasi S. at the Curragh next month. I think anywhere from six to seven furlongs will suit and she likes fast ground. I'm looking forward to her this year.
Final Gesture (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire})
Bobby Flay
This is a very well-bred filly. We liked her form in France and Bobby Flay kindly sent her to us. This is our first horse for him and the plan will be to target the fillies' staying division in Ireland and England this season.
If she is good enough, we'd love to travel to America in the second half of the season for something. The first aim is to win a stakes race and the second is to achieve Group form. If we can win a Group race, we can think about travelling, and we're excited about her.
Rolling The Dice (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire})
Arabian Bloodstock
A nice filly, she won a Newbury maiden as a two-year-old and was third to Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Prosperous Voyage (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) in the G2 May Hill S. at Doncaster. She lost her way a little bit as a three-year-old, though. She joined us last August and we're looking forward to running her this year.
Mea Domina (Fr) (Pivotal {GB})
Merry Fox Stud Limited & Newsells Park Stud Ltd
A nice filly with a good pedigree, she has been bought as a potential broodmare for her owners. We're delighted to have her. She showed nice ability when winning her maiden at Fontainebleau and again when winning her listed race quite comfortably at Saint-Cloud. The plan is to start her off in the Heritage S. at Leopardstown on Wednesday.
Spasiba (Fr) (Ultra {Ire})
Paddy Twomey
A lovely horse, he was physically immature at three and we didn't over-race him as a result. He's rated 92 and the plan would be to start in a winners' race over 1m4f or 1m6f and then maybe into a handicap and see where we end up. I'm looking forward to him.
Beamish (Fr) (Teofilo {Ire})
John Joseph Flynn
He's entered in the Alleged S. at the Curragh on April 16 and it looks like being a good starting point for him. He won't mind a bit of an ease in the ground. He's a lightly-raced horse for one who is turning five–he's only run six times in his life–but he's in good form and we're looking forward to him this year.
Erosandpsyche (Ire) (Sepoy {Aus})
Barbara Dreeling
He joined us last year and progressed through the ranks of the sprinting division, culminating with a second-placed effort behind Highfield Princess (Fr) (Night Of Thunder) in the G1 Flying Five S. at the Curragh on Irish Champions Weekend.
He's an exciting horse for the season ahead but it will probably be the second half of the season before he gets going. He likes nice ground.
Twomey embraces jockey Billy Lee after La Petite Coco's Group 1 triumph | Racingfotos.com
Three-Year-Olds Colts
Change Sings (Ire)
Trevor Stewart
A Saxon Warrior (Jpn) colt out of Cassandra Go (Ire) (Indian Ridge {Ire}), he's a lovely horse and makes his debut at Leopardstown on Wednesday. We're looking forward to starting him off.
Fillies
Persian Jewel (Ire) (Showcasing ({GB})
Teme Valley Racing
She had a nice introduction at Leopardstown on Sunday. The ground was a good bit heavier than what she would like and I was very happy with how she came home. I would hope that she is a filly who can go and win her maiden the next day.
Bella Blue Eyes (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire})
Eddie Walsh
She ran once for us last autumn, and the plan would be to start off in a maiden and try to win that. She's a nice filly for Eddie Walsh, who has been a great supporter of mine since I started training.
Easy (Ire) (Kodiac {GB})
Team Valor International LLC & Gary Barber
A nice filly, she joined us after winning her maiden for Andy Slattery and we ran her first time up for us in the Ingabelle S. on Irish Champions Weekend, but unfortunately she picked up a little setback that day which ruled her out for the rest of the season.
We hope to start her in a winners' race or a handicap and hopefully she can progress through the ranks. I'd say she has plenty of ability.
Treasure Trove (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr})
Merry Fox Stud Limited
She was good last year, winning three times and achieving black-type on six different occasions, which takes a bit of doing for any horse at any stage of their life. For a two-year-old to do it, it's remarkable. She's tough and hardy–the aim this year is to win a stakes race.
She's Guineas-entered but I probably see her more as a sprinter and races like the Polonia S. at Cork could suit her well. In a dream scenario, she'd get to the Commonwealth Cup, but it's only early in the season yet, so let's see where we get to.
Tagline (GB) (Havana Grey {GB})
Arabian Bloodstock
She was a good two-year-old and placed in the Dick Poole S. and ran well in the G3 Oh So Sharp S. as well. She will be a good fit for the fillies' sprint division in Ireland.
Shelton (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}})
Martin Schwartz
She came from the breeze-ups last season and won impressively at the Curragh, where she beat Basil Martini (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), who went on and won a Group 3 afterwards.
Shelton was also a good second in the G3 Flame Of Tara S. and got a small setback in the G1 Moyglare Stud S. after that. I think it will be the second half of the season before she is out.
Two-Year-Olds
Colts
Noche Magica (Ire)
Night Of Thunder (Ire) colt out of Pious Alexander (Ire) (Acclamation {GB})
Bought by Avenue Bloodstock for £230,000 from Mountarmstrong Stud at the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale
Mohammed Ahmad Ali Alsubousi
He's a nice colt and hopefully he will start around mid-April in a six-furlong maiden. I like what I have seen from him and he'll be one of my earliest runners. He should be out this month.
King Cuan (GB)
Tasleet (GB) colt out of Rutherford (Ire) (Dutch Art {GB})
Cost €21,000 at Goffs Sportsman's Sale from Leon Carrick
Red Lily Racing Syndicate
He is a brother of Ernest Rutherford (GB) (Ardad {Ire}), who won for Michael O'Callaghan, and is a nice colt for a new syndicate in the yard. The syndicate is Naas-based so the dream would be to aim him at the Ballyhane S. and the Goffs Sportsman's race. He's entered in both and hopefully he will turn out to be a bit of value for what we paid for him.
Red Hugh O'Donnell (Ire)
Dark Angel (Ire) colt out of Rionach (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire})
Robert Moran
The first foal out of Rionach, who ran to a high level and placed in the Athasi S. This horse is a nice colt who looks like he will make a two-year-old. He has good action and is a lovely straightforward horse to deal with.
Eulace Peacock (Ire)
Dark Angel colt out of Cnoc An Oir (Ire) (Born To Sea {Ire})
Team Valor and Gary Barber
Another nice Dark Angel colt who is very straightforward and is good-actioned. He looks like he will appreciate nice ground and I'd imagine it will be mid-summer before he starts.
Deepone (GB)
Study Of Man (Ire) colt out of Avyanna (Ire) (Galileo {Ire})
Bought by Paddy Twomey for 62,000gns at Tattersalls Book 3 from Beechvale Stud
Vimal Khosla
Nice colt who I hope to run some time in May, once the seven-furlong races start. This is a nice horse and has the option of median auction races.
Get The Papers (Fr)
Soldier Hollow (GB) colt out of Belle Riviere (Frankel)
Haras De Saint Pair
Another nice colt who qualifies for those median auction maiden races and, when the seven furlong races start, he will be ready to go. We like him and he'll be out from mid-season onwards.
Lone Piper (GB) Kingman (GB) out of Guilty Twelve (Giant's Causeway)
Merry Fox Stables
Nice and straightforward horse out of a Group 3-winning Giant's Causeway mare. Looks one for the second half of the year and I like what I see.
Staple (Ire)
Dark Angel colt out of Samaah (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire})
Bought by Alex Elliott for 280,000gns from Yeomanstown Stud at Tattersalls Book 1
Valmont
He's a nice colt and has been training well. He was picked up at Book 1 and Valmont is new to our yard. It's nice to have them on board and we have some good prospects for them.
Not Afraid (GB)
Night Of Thunder colt out of Zeb Un Nisa (GB) (Iffraaj {GB})
Bought by Alex Elliott for 280,000gns at Tattersalls Book 2 from Hascombe & Valiant Stud Ltd
Valmont
A nice colt who came from Book 2, I am happy with what he is showing us so far and will be one for the second half of the season.
Bothar Street Sense colt out of Flashly (Denman {Aus})
Homebred
Newtown Anner Stud
A lovely Newtown Anner homebred, he is out of a half-sister to Kentucky Oaks winner Cathryn Sophia (Street Boss). It's an unusually-bred horse for this part of the world but he's a nice first foal out of Street Sense and I like what I am seeing from him.
McClane (Ire)
Fracas (Ire) colt out of Saoire (GB) (Pivotal {GB})
Homebred
Joseph Joyce
This year is a first for me as I am going to have three juveniles by Fracas to train, which Joseph Joyce kindly sent to me. This is a son of Saoire, who obviously won the Irish 1,000 Guineas for Francis Crowley, and we also have a sister of Smash Williams (Ire) and another sister to McTigue (Ire).
They are very much for the second half of the year but look to be nice horses and we're looking forward to training them for Joseph, who is a true owner-breeder in that he raced the stallion and the dam.
Say Never No More (Ire) No Nay Never colt out of Queen Iseult (GB) (Camelot {GB})
Bought by Jason Taylor Equine at Goffs Orby Sale from Castlehyde Stud for €280,000
Lapetus Racing Syndicate
These colts are for the Lapetus Racing, which is a new American-based syndicate to have joined the yard, and their aim is to unearth a horse good enough to go to Royal Ascot and, ultimately, the Breeders' Cup after that. The horses were bought by David Ingordo and Jason Taylor at Goffs and, like I said, the Breeders' Cup is the dream.
Cathal (Ire) No Nay Never colt out of Lucky At The Bay (Lucky Pulpit)
Bought by Jason Taylor Equine for €120,000 from Baroda Stud at Goffs Orby
Lapetus Racing Syndicate
He is very much in the mould of the No Nay Nevers that I have seen at the races-a strong and forward type. We're just about to start doing fast work with him.
Fillies
Vanity Pays (GB)
Kodiac (GB) filly out of Mystic Jade (GB) (Raven's Pass)
Bought by Paddy Twomey for 100,000gns from Fernham Farm at Tattersalls Book 1
Stanley Watson and Trevor Stewart
Nice filly who has been working well. Hopefully she will start when we get a bit of nice ground or else on the all-weather by the end of April. She's sharp and early. She's pleasing us.
Jenni (Ire)
Mehmas (Ire) filly out of Inuk (Ire) (Kodiac)
Ennistown Stud
Mehmas is a stallion who we really like and this filly is out of a Kodiac half-sister to The Mackem Bullet (Ire) (Society Rock {Ire}). She's one of our more forward two-year-olds and we hope to run her over five furlongs in mid-April. I like what I see with her. I'd say Noche Magica, Vanity Pays and Jenni will be my first two-year-old runners this season-they're a bit ahead of the rest of them at this stage anyway.
Lady Lilibetrage (Ire) Magna Grecia (Ire) filly out of Quick Chat (First Defence)
Bought by Jason Taylor Equine for €200,000 from Glenvale Stud at Goffs Orby
Lapetus Racing Syndicate
She is straightforward and has been training well. She looks like a filly for six to seven furlongs in the middle of the summer. I think she'll like a bit of nice ground.
Dark Lyric (Ire)
Dark Angel filly out of Hay Chewed (Ire) (Camacho {GB})
Bought by Richard Ryan for €160,000 at Goffs Orby from Grangemore Stud
Teme Valley Racing
She is finding her work very easy and we're happy with her. We've been lucky with Dark Angel and she looks another nice filly by him.
Elana Osario (GB)
Lope De Vega (Ire) filly out of Moi Meme (GB) (Teofilo {Ire})
Bought by Paddy Twomey for 375,000gns from Hillwood Stud at Tattersalls Book 2
Robert Moran
She is a lovely filly and is one for the second half of the season. I thought Robert did a good job in naming her because Alana Osario was the wife of Lope De Vega. This filly has some class so hopefully she can live up to that good name.
Mysticmoon (Ire)
Lope De Vega filly out of Onthemoonagain (Fr) (Cape Cross {Ire})
Eddie Walsh
This is the second Lope De Vega we have and she looks as though she will be one for the second half of the season. Coincidentally, she's the first foal out of Onthemoonagain, who ran to quite a high level in America for Martin Schwarz, a big supporter of this yard.
Lucky Silks (Ire)
Mehmas filly out of Champagne Or Water (Ire) (Captain Rio {GB})
Bought by Paddy Twomey for €260,000 from Tally-Ho Stud at Goffs Orby
Martin Schwartz
Champagne Or Water was a stakes winner for Willie McCreery and her first foal was Group 1-placed in Canada last year. This is the second foal and is one for mid-season onwards.
Conradi (GB) Calyx (GB) filly out of Althiba (GB) (Shamardal)
Bought by Alex Elliott for €110,000 from the Channel Consignment at the Arqana October Yearling Sale
Valmont
Nice filly and I'm very pleased with what she is showing us. We haven't dipped her yet but she's nice.
Heart Of Darkness (GB)
Mehmas filly out of One Kiss (GB) (Sayif {Ire})
Cost 50,000gns at Tattersalls Book 2 from Llety Farms to Skymark Farm
Lady O'Reilly
A nice sharp filly who looks as though she will want good ground. She should be ready to run when the ground dries up in May and June.
Alinta (Ire)
Australia filly out of Termagent (Ire) (Powerscourt {GB})
Homebred
Mrs Diana Vasicek
She has a nice pedigree, being a daughter of G1 Moyglare Stud S. winner Termagent. She's one for the second half of the season and hopefully she makes up into a nice filly.
Eternal Harmony (Ire)
Night Of Thunder filly out of Majenta (Ire) (Marju {Ire})
Homebred
Mrs Diana Vasicek
Majenta was another very good racemare, having finished third in the Lenebane S. for Kevin Prendergast. This is a nice filly who I hope to run in late-summer or the autumn.
Porters Place (Ire)
Make Believe filly out of Shreyas (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire})
John Joseph Flynn
A nice filly who we picked up for 70,000gns out of Book 2, she is out of the 110-rated Shreyas, who is a sister to Youmzain (Ire). I think she has the makings of being a very nice three-year-old.
Eagle Of Destiny (Ire) Gleneagles (Ire) filly out of Miss Macnamara (Ire) (Dylan Thomas {Ire})
Cost €175,000 from Clonlisk Stud at Goffs Orby
Robert Moran
A sister to Sonnyboyliston (Ire) (Power {GB}) and Lot Of Joy (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), she would look like one to have a run or two at the back end of the season before what will hopefully be a productive three and four-year-old campaign.
Forthright (Ire)
Zoffany (Ire) filly out of Last Gold (Fr) (Gold Away {Ire})
Bought by Hugo Merry at Tattersalls Book 3 for 65,000gns from Castletown Stud
Valmont and partnership
A sister of Lumiere Rock (Ire), who is a smart Saxon Warrior (Jpn) filly for Joseph O'Brien, she is for a partnership that includes Valmont.
Clermont Ferrand (Ire)
Kodiac filly out of Alsace Lorraine (Ire) (Giant's Causeway)
Homebred
Merry Fox Stud
A lovely homebred for Merry Fox Stud, she does everything right and is for the second half of the season.
Super Sox (GB)
Showcasing filly out of Minoria (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire})
Cost €50,000 from Clenagh Castle Stud at Tattersalls Ireland
Dowager Countess of Harrington
The second foal out of Minoria, she is a sister to It's Showtime Baby (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), who was a good two-year-old for Jessica Harrington last season. This is quite a tall filly and she is pleasing us. Hopefully she'll be out by mid-season.
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board has issued an apology to trainer Paddy Twomey, jockey Wayne Lordan and owner Robert Moran over an error to the weighing out process of Rosscarbery (Ger) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) that led to the filly being disqualified from finishing third in the G1 Pretty Polly S. at the Curragh back in June.
Rosscarbery justified Twomey's decision to supplement at a cost of €30,000 for that Group 1 contest when running a gallant third behind stablemate La Petite Coco (Ire) (Ruler Of The World).
However, she was later thrown out after Lordan weighed in 5lb light, after which Twomey said he was convinced the error was not the fault of his or his rider's, and went on to blame “a technical glitch with the scales”.
Rosscarbery, one of the star attractions of the Tattersalls December Mares Sale later this month, went on to achieve Group 1 black-type when beaten just a neck into second in the Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville in August.
A statement published by Irish racing's regulator on Friday revealed that the connections of the filly have now withdrawn their appeal in light of the IHRB's apology and Twomey described himself as happy that the issue is now resolved.
He said, “It was a pity that it happened. Having a first and third in a Group 1 race is a very hard thing to do and it was unfortunate that she was disqualified. It is what it is and we're moving on. Thankfully we had a good year on the whole and we're just happy that this issue is resolved.”
An independent investigation carried out by Grant Thornton found that no blame could be attributed to Twomey or the connections of the filly, who would have bagged €30,000 in prize-money for her third-placed effort.
The statement read, “The IHRB has established that the disqualification of Rosscarbery from the race resulted from an error in the weigh out process which it accepts was not the fault of the owner, the trainer or the rider. The IHRB very much regrets the incident and unreservedly apologises to Mr Moran, Mr Twomey and Mr Lordan.”
It added, “Following the finish of the race in question, the stewards received a report from the IHRB clerk of the scales that Wayne Lordan, rider of Rosscarbery, who had placed third, had weighed in almost 5lbs light.
“Having considered the evidence on the day, the stewards disqualified Rosscarbery from third place in accordance with the provisions of Rule 231(i) in that he weighed in at more than 1lb light. They also referred the matter to the Chief Executive Officer of the IHRB for further investigation.
“The IHRB immediately began an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the weighing-out and weighing-in of the rider of Rosscarbery on the day. On Monday, June 27 2022, the IHRB appointed Grant Thornton to carry out an independent expert technical investigation while also carrying out an internal review of IHRB systems, processes and procedures for the weighing-out and weighing-in of riders.
“On September 6 2022, following a thorough forensic investigation, Grant Thornton issued the IHRB with their report and findings, which the IHRB shared with Mr Moran and Mr Twomey's representatives.”
Following the frantic Saturday, a sense of serenity returns to the European racing scene on Sunday with Deauville hosting the leading action including the G1 Darley Prix Morny and G1 Darley Prix Jean Romanet. In the latter contest, France says bienvenue to the Australian wonder Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) who makes her eagerly anticipated Northern Hemisphere debut under Frankie Dettori for the Francis-Henri Graffard stable. Her astounding 11 Group 1 wins in her former country make her a figure of worldwide renown, but a 12th in Europe would truly set the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup heroine apart.
Last in the winner's enclosure at Randwick six months ago after the Chipping Norton S., Jomara Bloodstock's 7-year-old has several formlines to suggest she can deal with this transition. There is a strong contender lying in wait in Robert Moran's June 8 G3 Munster Oaks and July 7 G3 Stanerra S. winner Rosscarbery (Ger) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), so this will be no soft landing.
“It will be a new experience for her on the other side of the world,” Dettori told Racing.com. “She's had a bit of a break, so we'd expect her to come on for the race. When you look back at the Caulfield Cup, she beat the Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck, so if you can match that form that's pretty decent. I managed to speak to Mark Zahra and I will talk to James [McDonald], but the most important thing is just to keep her quiet the first part of the race and make the finish. It is her comeback race and obviously her long-range target is the Arc, so it's the first step forward to get to that.”
"…it is not the same filly I had like, three weeks ago."
Aidan O'Brien ruled the roost at The Curragh on Saturday and even managed to snag a black-type contest here on the same afternoon, but they are all probably the appetiser for the G1 Darley Prix Morny which Rosegreen dominate with the July 17 G2 Prix Robert Papin first and second Blackbeard (Ire) (No Nay Never) and The Antarctic (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}).
Blackbeard was the operation's first black-type winner among the juvenile crop in 2022 and since his battling display in the Listed First Flier S. at The Curragh May 2, the stable have garnered another 13, including 11 at group level. Blackbeard has aided the cause with further wins in the May 21 G3 Marble Hill S. also at The Curragh and Chantilly's Robert Papin, while The Antarctic came here to take the G2 Prix de Cabourg which serves as this race's main course-and-distance trial Aug. 2. The latter, a full-brother to Battaash (Ire), has three lengths to make up on his warrior stablemate, but the master of Ballydoyle suggested this is no foregone conclusion.
“We always thought The Antarctic was a very good horse, which is why we supplemented him. He's just taking a little bit of time to come, but he's getting better,” he said.
Deja Vu?
Twelve months ago, Richard Fahey brought a G2 Norfolk S. winner here, booked Christophe Soumillon and the rest was history. This year, Steve Bradley's surprise winner The Ridler (GB) (Brazen Beau {Aus}) gets the treatment and if history can repeat itself, then the follow-up act to Perfect Power (Ire) (Ardad {Ire}) will be able to put a controversial win in that June 16 Royal Ascot contest behind him.
“He ran through the line at Ascot over a very stiff five and I just think the further he goes, the better he'll go,” Fahey said.
In a renewal lacking a single French runner, the July 7 G2 July S. winner Persian Force (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) adds intrigue but the shadow of Little Big Bear (Ire) (No Nay Never) hangs over all after he put seven lengths between them in the Phoenix.
“I was amazed with that race in Ireland–I was staggered that something could beat him that far,” trainer Richard Hannon said. “He's a very good horse and hopefully he's able to show it on Sunday.”
