Widely recognised and respected figure in horse racing, Dermot Weld, is pursuing a significant milestone of 25 wins at the Galway festival’s inaugural day maiden for two-year-olds, and his secret weapon is a horse named Truth Be Told. A seasoned veteran in the field, Weld reigned as the top trainer at the Galway festival for three decades before being surpassed by Willie Mullins in 2016. Nevertheless, no one else demonstrates a better understanding of what takes to secure a win at Ballybrit, with Weld known for bringing on board top-ranking juveniles.
Grey Swallow, the Irish Derby champion, laid bare his Classic-winning flair in a Monday race during his first appearance in 2003, winning by a full ten lengths. Trivia remains that Weld’s most recent victory amongst his 24 previous winnings was Blue For You, obtained four years earlier. This year, he’s placing his bet on Truth Be Told who, despite a shaky debut at Naas earlier this month, showed promise by ending a close fifth to Swagman.
Meanwhile, Joseph O’Brien’s choice, Viking Invasion, came in second at that event despite having a prior run to its advantage. Memories of that Grey Swallow race are coming alive, as Ballydoyle contender Rock Of Cashel, a half-sibling to Snowfall, the dual-Oaks heroine, failed to secure a win during his first appearance at Curragh. He embraces a legacy, though, as a different Rock Of Cashel, full sibling to Rock Of Gibraltar, was the one behind Grey Swallow by two decades.
Alternatively, Weld has Brosna Town, the Fairyhouse victor, participating in the 1½ mile handicap, but Ephesus might prove a worthy contender after recently securing his first win at Curragh. In unrelated news, Joseph O’Brien’s Rogue Millennium finished third in the Group One Prix Rothschild at Deauville on Sunday, falling behind the French favourite Mqse De Sevigne. Rogue Millennium edged out Ocean Jewel, trained by Willie McCreery, who ended in fourth place.
Mqse De Sevigne clinched a fourth major victory, having previously triumphed at Longchamp’s Prix d’Ispahan in May and consecutively won the Rothschild twice. The favourite emerged victorious by a length against another local contender, Excellent Truth. Andre Fabre’s champion saw odds sliced to 20-1 on several lists for the forthcoming Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, set over 1½ miles at Longchamp in October.