Tag: Ryan Moore

Justify’s Statuette Goes Two-For-Two After Curragh Triumph

Kept at home as Meditate (Ire) (No Nay Never) went to Royal Ascot, TDN Rising Star Statuette (Justify–Immortal Verse {Ire}, by Pivotal {GB}) was able to comfortably follow her stablemate's lead by taking Sunday's G2 Airlie Stud S. at The Curragh. Already the focus of attention on breeding, the chestnut put fuel on the fire with a fluent win on debut over an extended five furlongs at Navan May 28 and travelled easily throughout the early stages of this six-furlong contest formerly known as the Balanchine. Asked to take closer order to the leading trio before halfway, the 4-6 favourite had to work to get to Badb (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}) inside the last 150 yards but was soon in command en route to a 3/4-of-a-length success from that 25-1 outsider, with Matilda Picotte (Ire) (Sioux Nation) the same margin back in third. “She has a beautiful mind, great stride and an unbelievable physique,” Aidan O'Brien said after welcoming his eighth winner of this prize. “We think the Justifys are something to look forward to.” . Race replay. 

Statuette, whose half-sister Tenebrism (Caravaggio) was the winner of the G1 Cheveley Park S. on her second start, is being prepared for the major late-summer and autumn prizes according to her trainer. “She's a very big filly, she's 16 2 1/2, and we were only training her three-quarters ready because we had our eye on the last part of the season,” he explained. “With that type of filly if you train them too hard you wouldn't have them at the end of the season when you want them. We were a little bit worried when the ground got soft that she could have gotten very tired, but obviously just her class got her through. She travelled lovely and Ryan nursed her, she won lovely in the end.”

“She's a sister to Tenebrism, but she'd carry her on her back as she's a massive big powerful filly this one,” he added. “She's probably not as precocious as a filly running at this time of year tends to be, but she has so much class she was able to run and do it rather than us making her do it. When she was able to do it we didn't like stopping her, but at the same time we weren't chasing her in any way at home. We think she's a Guineas filly. She's a filly with a lot of class and you'd imagine she'd have no problem getting a mile. The Moyglare, the Cheveley Park, all those races are there for her. Obviously we have the filly that won at Ascot [Meditate] as well. The lads will probably keep them apart.”

The dam Immortal Verse, who captured the G1 Coronation S. and G1 Prix Jacques le Marois and was bred back to Justify last year, topped the 2013 Tattersalls December Mares Sale when knocked down for 4.7million gns. She is a daughter of the Listed Prix La Camargo winner and G3 Prix Fille de l'Air runner-up Side of Paradise (Ire) (Sadler's Wells), who is also the second dam of the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. runner-up Roseman (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) and the G1 Futurity Trophy-placed Baradar (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}).

Side of Paradise is out of Richard Strauss's Kilfrush Stud's exceptional broodmare Mill Princess (Ire) (Mill Reef), who issued an abundance of leading lights directly and indirectly headed by the star sprinter Last Tycoon (Ire). Among her most notable producers were Last Tycoon's G3 Prix du Bois-winning full-sister The Perfect Life (Ire), Save Me the Waltz (Ire) (Kings Lake) and Zelda (Ire) (Caerleon). Under this trio are the likes of the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches heroine Valentine Waltz (Ire) (Be My Guest), the GI Matron S. winner Sense of Style (Thunder Gulch) and Galileo's trio of top-level-winning siblings Hermosa (Ire), Hydrangea (Ire) and The United States (Ire).

Sunday, Curragh, Ireland
AIRLIE STUD S. (BALANCHINE S.)-G2, €142,800, Curragh, 6-26, 2yo, f, 6fT, 1:13.64, yl.
1–STATUETTE, 128, f, 2, by Justify
     1st Dam: Immortal Verse (Ire) (Hwt. Filly-Eng- at 7 – 9 1/2 f., G1SW-Eng, G1SW-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 BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GROUP WIN. O-Coolmore,Westerberg,Merriebelle Stables; B-Merriebelle Stables & Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt (KY); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. €72,000. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $86,135. *1/2 to Tenebrism (Caravaggio), Ch. 2yo Filly-Ire, Eng & Eur, G1SW-Eng, $262,880. Werk Nick Rating: B+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Badb (Ire), 128, f, 2, Footstepsinthesand (GB)–Belong (Ire), by Fastnet Rock (Aus).
1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O/B-Mrs Ann Marie O'Brien (IRE); T-Donnacha O'Brien. €24,000.
3–Matilda Picotte (Ire), 128, f, 2, Sioux Nation–Hallie's Comet (Ire), by One Cool Cat.
1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Matilda & Kilmichael Racing Partnership; B-Mighty Universe Ltd (IRE); T-Kieran Cotter. €12,000.
Margins: 3/4, 3/4, HF. Odds: 0.67, 25.00, 18.00.
Also Ran: Zarinsk (GB), It's Showtime Baby (GB), Papilio (Ire), Comhra (Ire). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

. Race replay. 

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Galileo’s Aikhal Surges To International Success

Aidan O'Brien trainee Aikhal (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}–Diamond Fields {Ire}, by Fastnet Rock {Aus}), who ran fourth in last term's G3 Autumn S. and G1 Criterium International, came back off a 234-day sabbatical to finish last of 11 in this month's G1 St James's Palace S. at Royal Ascot and bounced back in style to register a career high in Saturday's G3 ARM Holding International S. on the G1 Irish Derby undercard. Stalking the pace in second until sent to the fore approaching the quarter-mile pole, the 20-1 chance quickened in style to poach a decisive advantage entering the final furlong and was ridden further clear in the closing stages to easily dismiss G3 Eyrefield S. winner and G1 Irish 2000 Guineas fifth Duke de Sessa (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Fr}) by an impressive 4 1/4 lengths.

“We thought this was a very good horse last year, but he got a hold up in the spring and he went to the [G1] St James's Palace without a run which is certainly not ideal,” the winning trainer revealed. “It was a slow pace [at Royal Ascot] and then they quickened and left him. Ryan [Moore] said maybe we ran the wrong horse in the [G1 Irish] Derby when he got off him. They went a strong gallop and Ryan couldn't believe how well he was going. He ran right through the line.” Moore added, “He's a lovely, little horse and has done that very well. He was off a long time and went straight into the St James's Palace. He stepped up to a mile-and-a-quarter today and got the trip very well. You'd be delighted with what he has done there and he has beaten some real solid older horses. He won well and they weren't getting anywhere near him. Hopefully, he has got a bright future from here.”

Aikhal, kin to a 2-year-old filly by Frankel (GB) and a yearling colt by Kingman (GB), is the first of three foals produced by G3 Gladness S. victrix Diamond Fields (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), who is a half-sister to G1 Irish Derby hero Latrobe (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) and stakes-winning G1 Investec Oaks, G1 Irish Oaks and G1 Pretty Polly S. placegetter Pink Dogwood (Ire) (Camelot {GB}). The March-foaled bay's second dam, Listed Bosra Sham Fillies' S. runner-up Question Times (GB) (Shamardal), is a half-sister to G3 Sceptre S. victrix and G1 Cheveley Park S. second Sunday Times (GB) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), herself the dam of stakes-winning G3 Chipchase S. third Classical Times (GB) (Lawman {Fr}) and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf and GI Just A Game S. heroine Newspaperofrecord (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}).

Saturday, Curragh, Ireland
ARM HOLDING INTERNATIONAL S.-G3, €100,000, Curragh, 6-25, 3yo/up, 10fT, 2:08.15, gd.
1–AIKHAL (IRE), 123, c, 3, by Galileo (Ire)
1st Dam: Diamond Fields (Ire) (GSW-Ire, MGSP-US & SP-Eng, $225,664), by Fastnet Rock (Aus)
2nd Dam: Question Times (GB), by Shamardal
3rd Dam: Forever Times (GB), by So Factual
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. O-Mary Slack, Coolmore & Westerberg; B-Wilgerbosdrift (UK) Ltd (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. €60,000. Lifetime Record: 6-2-1-0, $98,426. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Duke de Sessa (Ire), 126, c, 3, Lope de Vega (Ire)–Dark Crusader (Ire), by Cape Cross (Ire). (£60,000 RNA Ylg '20 GOFOR). O/B-Newtown Anner Stud Farm Ltd (IRE); T-Dermot Weld. €20,000.
3–Rumbles of Thunder (Ire), 132, f, 4, Night of Thunder (Ire)–Blanche Neige (GB), by Halling. 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€77,000 Wlg '18 GOFNOV; 425,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT; 100,000gns RNA 2yo '20 TATBRE; €390,000 RNA 3yo '21 ARQDEC). O/T-Paddy Twomey; B-F Killen (IRE). €10,000.
Margins: 4 1/4, HF, 1 1/4. Odds: 20.00, 6.50, 2.75.
Also Ran: Mac Swiney (Ire), Bear Story (Ire), Vega Magnifico (Ire), Visualisation (Ire). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

 

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All Set For Derby Delight

Following a quiet few days in the aftermath of Ascot and Chantilly, things get moving again on Saturday with The Curragh staging one of the most interesting renewals of the G1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby for some time. A race that has from time to time in recent years been under the shadow of the European Pattern Committee's guillotine has pulled a trick out of the hat this year to ensure it keeps its exalted status for the immediate future at least.

Aidan O'Brien has come to tick off winners of this Classic with metronomic efficiency and it is that which has played a part-role in discouraging potential raiders, but connections of Westover (GB) (Frankel {GB}) are thankfully unwilling to allow historical precedent to sway them from the challenge. Adding an exotic flavour to this edition, the cream of the Rosegreen colts have been left at home with the baton passed to the Oaks heroine Tuesday (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Just as Balanchine (Storm Bird) conquered the Derby runner-up King's Theatre (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) the last time this scenario came about in 1994, and her predecessor Salsabil (GB) (Sadler's Wells) disposed of the Blue Riband hero Quest For Fame (GB) (Rainbow Quest) four years earlier, so Tuesday looks to quash the colts as her stable goes leftfield in its undimmed quest for Classic glory.

There's Always A First Time

Aidan O'Brien could write the book on how to win the Irish Derby as he chases success number 15, but there is always new ground to break at Rosegreen, and 2022 sees the year that he mixes things up. This is the Classic in which the runaway pacemaker Sovereign (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) cut loose three years ago, but there will be no surprise outcome supplied by the stable this time, with the filly due to start at short odds and probably as favourite. Tuesday's success in the June 3 Epsom Classic represents strong form and, while there is an argument that Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) was unlucky, there was genuine merit in the winner's performance from a compromising draw in one. Tuesday has surprised her trainer all year and has forced her way into this unique situation with her relentless progress both in training and racing.

“At one time, we didn't think she'd make the Guineas, but every week she gets stronger and stronger and we had planned to give her a break after the Oaks, so it's an unusual thing but maybe it's because she's so young,” O'Brien said of the irrepressible daughter of Lillie Langtry (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). Unlike the trainer, remarkably Ryan Moore has yet to ride the winner of this Classic and will have to be at his tactical best to get Tuesday into a position where she can deliver her dynamite surge. That is no easy task, as he is unconvinced that his mount needs a true stamina test.

“She did exceptionally well to win a strong Oaks last time, even if she probably didn't see out the trip fully,” he said in his Betfair blog.

Keane And Eager

It is clear why Tuesday, who showed with placings in the 1000 Guineas and the Irish equivalent and with fast splits in the Oaks that she possesses the kind of pace that is dangerous in these types of tests, has no pacemaker alongside her due to the fact that she would thrive if this becomes a test of speed. Whether that happens probably depends on Colin Keane, who has been called up to steer Juddmonte's Derby third Westover around this terrain he has come to dominate as his country's undisputed leading rider. Unlike Tuesday, the colt that may turn out to be the best that Ralph Beckett has trained is more in the freight train mold at a mile and a half and the kind of remorseless galloper well fitted to The Curragh.

“When you look back at the replay of the Derby, he was the horse that caught your eye and usually the Epsom form holds up in the Curragh. A more galloping track might suit him and he looks like a very straightforward horse,” his rider said.

Putting the Record Straight

Westover's trouble in running in Epsom's home straight is well-documented, but quite how much that momentum disturbance affected the result of the Blue Riband is an unknown. There is no doubt that it had consequences and adjustments for the G3 Sandown Classic Trial winner's ill fortune there put him close to Desert Crown (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}), so the ball is in his and Keane's court on an exciting day for Juddmonte who have not been represented in this since 1996.

That year saw the Derby runner-up Dushyantor (Sadler's Wells) finish a disappointing fourth as the 5-4 favourite, three years on from the operation's only winner Commander In Chief (GB) (Dancing Brave).

“He would definitely be entitled to improve a bit and it's great the family are letting us bring him over to Ireland,” Juddmonte's Barry Mahon said. “There's a big operation here and for all the staff here who looked after him when he was a yearling and a weanling and broke him in and started riding him before he went over to Ralph Beckett's, they're all excited too.”

A Steep Climb

Despite his obvious potential, there is a sense that Flaxman Holdings' imposing Piz Badile (Ire) (Ulysses {Ire}) could be one for next year and the G3 Ballysax S. winner's unplaced effort in the Derby shows he is up against it even if he is back on a track that should prove more suitable.

One who is still unexposed is Normandie Stud's Listed Cocked Hat S. scorer Lionel (GB) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), but that form is well short of the Epsom standard and he may need further than this mile and a half with his family featuring Duncan (GB) (Dalakhani {Ire}), who dead-heated in the 2011 Irish St Leger here. Since the aforementioned Commander In Chief in 1993, there have been only three British-trained winners showing how hard it is to wrest the prize from the home-trained contingent. Lionel's trainer David Menuisier is habitually optimistic, however.

“In my heart he always was one of the leading contenders, a lot of things are going his way so let's hope for a truly run race and the best horse will win.”

Blackbeard Is Back

Away from the Irish Derby, the G2 GAIN Railway S. is the next best thing on Saturday and Ballydoyle supply another workaholic in Blackbeard (Ire) (No Nay Never), the first to represent the G2 Coventry S. form. Only fourth and beaten some way out as the 5-2 favourite for that juvenile feature of the Royal meeting, the Listed First Flier S. and G3 Marble Hill S. winner may have had an  excuse according to Aidan O'Brien.

“He maybe found the travel a bit funny and was a bit uneasy with it all,” he suggested on Friday. Ryan Moore added in his Betfair blog, “I'd be inclined to think that was a very strong Coventry this year, so his fourth there was a very good effort.”

A short-head second to Blackbeard in the First Flier, Amo Racing's Crispy Cat (GB) (Ardad {Ire}) is also asked to back up after Royal Ascot where he was the chief sufferer of the much-discussed interference caused by The Ridler (GB) (Brazen Beau {Aus}) in the Norfolk.

Best Of The Rest

   Also at The Curragh, the 10-furlong G3 ARM Holding International S. sees last year's Irish 2000 Guineas hero Mac Swiney (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) look for a first win since that highlight as he takes on 'TDN Rising Star' Duke de Sessa (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) and Ballydoyle's Aikhal (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) who was thought worthy of a place in last Tuesday's G1 St James's Palace S. Also in that Royal Ascot feature was another 'TDN Rising Star' in Wexford Native (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) and, while he was unable to do himself justice there, is likewise out quickly in the card's Listed Dubai Duty Free Celebration S. over a mile.

In Newcastle's G3 Pertemps Network Chipchase S., St Albans Bloodstock's exciting 3-year-old filly Sense of Duty (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) holds strong claims following her defeat of the top-class Flotus (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) and subsequent listed scorer Benefit (GB) (Acclamation {GB}) in Haydock's Listed Cecil Frail S. May 20. At Newmarket, all eyes will be on Westerberg's exciting Minnetonka (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) in a hot-looking Listed Maureen Brittain Memorial Empress Fillies' S. following her seven-length debut win at Salisbury June 12.

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1000 Guineas Heroine Mother Earth Retired to Coolmore Stud 

Classic-winning filly Mother Earth (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) has been retired to Coolmore Stud with her trainer Aidan O'Brien describing last year's G1 Qipco 1000 Guineas heroine as “a top-class mare”.

As well as winning the 1000 Guineas under Frankie Dettori, Mother Earth stormed to G1 Prix Rothschild glory at Deauville for Ryan Moore last term but was retired after failing to fire in the G2 Duke Of Cambridge S. at Royal Ascot last week. 

O'Brien told TDN Europe, “Mother Earth was a very good filly. She ran a lot as a 2-year-old and also ran a lot at three. She was a top-class mare.”

He added, “She won the Guineas and the Prix Rothschild and was a filly with loads of speed. She had an unbelievable constitution and is an absolutely beautiful filly.”

Mother Earth won four of her 21 starts on a racecourse, twice at the highest level, and landed the G3 Park Express S.  at the Curragh on her return earlier this season. TDN Europe understands that Coolmore will wait until next year before mating her.

She is a half-sister to G2 Premio Dormello-winning Night Colours (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) and will take up residency as a broodmare at Coolmore Stud in Ireland.

 

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