Written by TDN Europe
Ireland
Tahiyra goes one better in Irish 1000 Guineas, handing Siyouni a landmark double
Making amends for a narrow defeat 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 Irish 1000 Guineas. She completed a weekend Classic double for her sire in the process, following the victory of Aidan O’Brien’s Paddington (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) in the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas on Saturday (local).
So impressive when taking the G1 Moyglare Stud S. as a juvenile, Tahiyra was quicker away here than in Newmarket’s G1 1000 Guineas and able to draft in behind Meditate (Ire) (No Nay Never {USA}) 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 1.5l, with Jim Bolger's 150-1 shot Comhra (Ire) (Vocalised {USA}) 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. (at Royal Ascot).”
Whilst trainer Dermot Weld indicated that the G1 Coronation S. at Royal Ascot on Friday, June 23 may now be on the filly’s agenda, Pat Downes, manager of the Aga Khan's Gilltown Stud, lauded the Haras de Bonneval-based Siyouni (Fr).
Siyouni (Fr) | Standing at Haras de Bonneval
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.”
Above The Curve makes all for Prix Corrida triumph, Nashwa eclipsed in fourth
Last term's G1 Prix Saint-Alary and G2 Blandford S. heroine Above The Curve (USA) (American Pharoah {USA}) encountered stellar opposition in Sunday's G2 Prix Corrida at Saint-Cloud and halted a three-race losing streak with a pillar-to-post victory in the 2100-metre contest.
Coolmore and Westerberg's 'TDN Rising Star' was undone by Saint-Alary runner-up Place Du Carrousel (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and the reopposing Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}) when third in October's G1 Prix de l'Opera before running seventh in both November's G1 Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf and this month's G2 Mooresbridge S. on seasonal return last time.
The eventual winner was swiftly into stride and held sway at a comfortable pace. In command throughout, the 47-10 chance was shaken up when threatened at the top of the straight and stayed on relentlessly under a drive inside the final 400 metres to hit the line strong with a 2l buffer from Mqse De Sevigne (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}). German raider India (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) kept on well to finish 1l adrift third while 'TDN Rising Star' Nashwa, who held every chance turning for home, faded out of contention in the latter stages and finished another 1.25l back in fourth.
Luxembourg denies Bay Bridge in Curragh thriller
Sunday's G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup lived up to the billing and then some, with Ballydoyle's Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) making all and outbattling Bay Bridge (GB) (New Bay {GB}) in a stirring finish to the Curragh's joint feature of the day.
Having put in one of those on-the-face-of-it underwhelming comeback performances that the stable's kingpins can when fifth in the G2 Mooresbridge S. here at the start of the month, last year's G1 Irish Champion S. hero took the requisite leap forward with Ryan Moore intent on taking no prisoners.
Relishing the new tactic, the 11-4 outsider of the 'big three' which included the bitterly disappointing French Derby winner Vadeni (Fr) (Churchill {Ire}) was challenged hard by Bay Bridge inside the final 400 metres as they pulled clear of solid yardsticks. There was a neck between them at one stage, but by the time Luxembourg hit the line it was 0.5l, with 6l back to Piz Badile (Ire) (Ulysses {Ire}) in a no-excuses contest.
Saxon Warrior's brother awarded the Gallinule
His name conjures a sense of suspense, so when Drumroll (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) was denied a short head by Teutates (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) after a pulsating tussle for Sunday's G3 Heider Family Stables Gallinule S. at the Curragh, it was only right that the drama would play out further as an inquiry was announced.
Once the head-on had revealed the extent of the interference caused by the first-past-the-post to Ballydoyle's brother to Saxon Warrior (Jpn), the writing was on the wall and the result was duly amended in his favour.
Runner-up to the stable's G1 Irish 2000 Guineas hero Paddington in the Listed Tetrarch S. here at the start of the month, Drumroll tracked the leading pair early before engaging Teutates passing two out. Bumped twice late on as the line neared, the 4-5 favourite had done enough to convince the officials that he would have prevailed with a clear run and, drumroll, he was able to add further gravitas to his illustrious family's record.
“He's progressing and a mile and a quarter looks a good trip for him,” commented Aidan O'Brien, who was to go on to a four-timer on the card. “The Irish Derby is a possibility. He's still a bit of a baby and ran a bit green.”
