Ryan Moore is taking on duties at the Curragh on Monday for Bank Holiday, with hopes of replicating previous success in future high-class competitions. A superstar named Paddington was discovered during last year’s Coolmore Tetrarch Stakes, having used the Listed competition as a stepping stone to Classic triumph in the Irish 2,000 Guineas later in the month.
While it may be too optimistic to expect Samuel Colt to copy a colt that later won the St James’s Palace, Eclipse and Sussex Stakes during a remarkable summer winning streak, reaping success in the Tetrarch seems likely for the Ballydoyle colt, especially given his recent comeback performance at Leopardstown.
In 2022, Moore steered Blackbeard to win the Listed Gain First Flier Stakes. This year, he collaborates with Whistlejacket, whose first performance hinted at a certain future maiden victory, but he was then immediately introduced to black-type field. Whistlejacket might find it difficult to overcome Arizona Fire.
Monday’s main event at the Curragh is the Group Two Mooresbridge Stakes, featuring a rematch between the top three competitors from last month’s Alleged race. The mares Maxux and Village Voice have a 3lbs advantage over the Alleged’s victor, White Birch. There’s a chance that Maxux, under the sponsorship of Spanish footballer Alvaro Odriozola, could change the outcome of the previous race.
Joseph O’Brien, Maxux’s trainer, will provide Moore with a challenger, Jumbly, in the Group Three Athasi. Improving weather condition is favourable for the mare, who had previously ended second behind Yosemite Valley.
Following Saturday’s final race of the jump season at Punchestown, the fresh National Hunt season begins on Monday at Down Royal, offering opportunities for other jockeys. Patrick Michael O’Brien gets an opportunity to ride Freewheelin Dylan, the 2022 Irish Grand National champion, in a handicap chase. At the same time, Kieran Buckley might pull off a win with Gavin Cromwell’s horse, Fathom Two in the Beginners.
In separate news, Irish jockey Ben Curtis failed to clinch any prize riding Honor Marie in his initial Kentucky Derby appearance on Saturday. Curtis, who transferred to the US the preceding winter, had to be content with an eighth position behind Mystick Dan, the local champion, in a nerve-wracking end to the Run for the Roses.
John Ennis, a trainer hailing from Longwood, Co Meath, finished in 14th place with his dark horse, Epic Ride. The team behind Mystick Dan, which includes trainer Kenny McPeek and jockey Brian Hernandez, pulled off an impressive double victory. In addition to their win with Mystick Dan, they also enjoyed success on Friday night at the Kentucky Oaks with Thorpedo Anna.