Bradsell and Hollie Doyle© Photo Healy Racing
“It was easy watching” reported trainer Archie Watson after his Bradsell had landed the Curragh's €400,000 Group 1 Bar One Racing Flying Five Stakes today, continuing an excellent weekend for successful jockey Hollie Doyle.
Doyle's husband Tom Marquand won both yesterday's two Leopardstown Group 1s - highlighted by Economics' Champion Stakes success, and today Bradsell followed up last month's Nunthorpe Stakes success with another elite performance, again defeating York-runner-up Believing by 1.25 lengths.
Lambourn-based Watson reported “to be fair it was pretty easy watching and there wasn't really a moment where you had any worries: he was imperious. He never looked like being beaten, he kicked clear and he's done it very well.”
He added “I was surprised he wasn't favourite for the Nunthorpe and was surprised this morning when there was a bit of negativity about the horse. I thought he was by far the best sprinter around and I hope that he's showing people that he is.
“He's just got so much speed, so much class, he's tough and he's just a pleasure to have anything to do with.
“He's got quicker; at the beginning of last year obviously we were thinking that he has won a Coventry over a stiff six furlongs so we were going down the Commonwealth Cup route and I didn't even have him in the King's Stand.
“He was not quite finishing off over six though, so we were lucky to supplement him for the King's Stand and it's been five (furlongs) ever since. It is his trip but I wouldn't mind trying an easy six with him although I don't see why, as there are plenty of Group 1s.
“There are two further races, the Abbaye although I wouldn't want it to be horrible ground or for him to be drawn 'stupid'. There is also the Breeders Cup at Del Mar which should be right up his street, as it is a very quick five. One or both of those, all being well, would be the plan.”
“I hope he will be kept in training next year, he's very good, he's obviously had a slightly truncated career and he hasn't really had a full season yet.”
Regarding his alliance with Doyle, he said “Hollie came to me a few years ago and we've both sort of grown together. Any winner, let alone Group 1 winners, mean a lot more when it's her riding for me. It's great.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
