Highlighted by the massive financial aspects of premier flat racing, this Saturday sees Aidan O’Brien’s three steeds vying for multi-million dollar prizes at a Kentucky race event. Regardless, his main focus is rivetted on Henry Longfellow’s pursuit of a Group One victory, anticipated to occur Sunday in Paris.
On Sunday, the Prix Du Moulin at Longchamp stakes €450,000, which despite being impressively substantial, is overshadowed by the fattened coffers promised at Kentucky Downs.
Notably, the only US racecourse explicitly dedicated to turf racing keeps its highly lucrative fall season active this weekend, featuring a series of races each worth at least $1 million – with the stakes doubled for Kentucky-bred winner.
O’Brien has dispatched a set of three Ballydoyle secondary contenders in an ambitious bid for a slice of the stupendous prizes, chiefly supplied by the income of an in-house casino.
A set of three Irish-trained participants aims to upend the status quo in the Haydock Sprint Cup. Henry Longfellow is targeted to clinch a Group One victory in his showdown with Notable Speech and Charyn in the Moulin.
There’s a growing call for substantial systematic safety provisions for racehorses post retirement. ‘Shark’ Hanlon, the trainer, intends to contest the 10-month ban imposed on him for tarnishing the sport’s reputation.
Frankie Dettori is scheduled to pilot Greenfinch, Mountain Bear and Chief Little Rock on Saturday evening, a main event line-up set to be televised live on Sky.
Come Sunday, it will be Donnacha O’Brien’s time to shine as he guides Lush Lips, while Mick Mulvany, who operates out of Co Meath, will debut his Galway victor, Bessie Abott in another $1 million event for young horses. Joel Rosario, a Hall of Fame jockey, sports his newest ownership team, Team Valor’s colours.
Despite the enormous prize money, if Henry Longfellow secures a victory in the Moulin for his Coolmore proprietors, it’s likely to overshadow it all.
This unbeaten Group One victor from his juvenile days was placed second only to City Of Troy in Ballydoyle’s traditional hierarchy at the season’s dawn.
A lacklustre performance in the French 2,000 Guineas in May had a redeeming sequel at the Royal Ascot’s St James’s Palace Stakes, as he finished second to Rosallion.
After failing to live up to expectations during the Sussex event, Henry Longfellow, a colt of high hopes, now has a chance to salvage his standing in the race at the Moulin. This race, known for its ability to turn horses into desirable stallions, comes with the heavy burden of reversing the form Henry had shown at Sussex against Notable Speech. Additionally, he would need to surpass the performance of the season’s most notable older miler, Charyn. The race is set to start at 2.50pm Irish-time.
Including him, there will be seven contenders participating, one of whom is last season’s Foret winner, Kelina. All things considered, the event is poised to be a thrilling competition among the top three betting favourites.
Henry Longfellow might have the weather on his side as recent heavy rainfall in Paris has made the ground softer, conditions that could negatively affect Notable Speech.
Notably, back in 2019, O’Brien celebrated a victory at Moulin with Circus Maximus, despite accusations of the horse causing substantial interference with the second-placed runner, Romanised. Circus Maximus’ win secured him a place with the esteemed Coolmore stallions, a feat that Henry Longfellow could replicate if he triumphs at the Moulin.
Other prominent Irish horses, such as Midnight Strike, Harbour Wind, and Besse Abott, will also dominate the races at Longchamp and Kentucky Downs, respectively. Despite a suboptimal starting position at Kentucky Downs, there is also hope for Besse Abott, who showed promise winning on her debut at the Galway festival despite a sluggish start. The horse, trained by Mick Mulvany, will kick off at 10.51 Irish-time with Rosario, who previously won the Kentucky Derby and the Dubai World Cup in 2013 with Tam Valor’s Animal Kingdom.
Mulvany is fielding several competitors on his home course in Navan this Saturday, coinciding with the only domestic race happening over the weekend. This is among only half a dozen Sundays in Ireland without any racing activity this year, with the not-so-special programme coinciding with the football international match between England and the Republic of Ireland in Dublin, which commences at 5pm just before the final pair of races.
This implies Navan could mainly attract industry insiders, making it not so enticing for anything but the most dedicated racing followers.
Johnny Murtagh too has some runners in the competition and both Final Curtain and Emerald Harmony seem to have fair odds, given their coach’s team is on a winning streak.
Another local trainer, Noel Meade, has equipped Mick Collins with a fresh hood for the final maiden and along with a reduced distance to 10 furlongs, this could put Colin Keane’s horse in the running for a win.