Jan Brueghel wears down Trustyourinstinct© Photo Healy Racing
The money came for Jan Brueghel in the Group 3 Al Basti Equiworld International Stakes at the Curragh and it was landed as he got up late under Ryan Moore.
The Galileo colt created quite the impression in shedding his maiden tag by eight lengths over course and distance last month and punters came for him today as he was backed down to 8/13 favourite.
He tracked Trustyourinstinct and Moore began to exert his arms inside the final half mile. He got busier in the straight as Trustyourinstinct proved strong off the front.
Jan Brueghel was ridden to try and chase the leader down racing to the final furlong and he began to cut into the deficit 200 yards down.
He kept coming and stayed on to pick up Trustyourinstinct close home. The winner prevailed by a neck over the gutsy runner-up who went off at 9/1. There was a four-and-a-half-length gap back to Ecureuil Secret at 14/1.
This brought up a double for Moore and Aidan O'Brien after Truly Enchanting s victory in the preceding Group 2 Airlie Stud Stakes.
The trainer said: “We were worried about the ground. We knew he had improved a lot from the last day and knew he'd stay further but we weren't sure about the ground.
“You could see him swapping and changing (legs) when he turned in and Ryan was very good on him I thought.
“He will stay much further and will be very happy going up to a mile-and-a-half. We came here to educate him and bring him on.
“It's hard going from a maiden straight into a group race. Joseph's horse (O'Brien, Trustyourinstinct) brought him along an even gallop and it was a competitive race. We were delighted.
“We weren't sure he was going to get away with it but he did and he stays very well.
“Ryan said he was having a right look going to the line so there. so obviously plenty there still.
“He said he was watching the photographers at the line, so he was obviously very focused and very aware of what he was doing. That's a good sign and that means he was doing it very easy.
“We were thinking of coming here then going on to Goodwood and then going to the Leger after that if the lads decided to go that far, it depends on what they decide to do.
“Obviously, Sovereign (brother who won the Irish Derby) got a mile and a-half really well, really strong. This fella is a better mover than Sovereign, a very low mover, and a bigger horse. He's very exciting going forward.”
Paddy Power shaved Jan Brueghel from 14/1 to 10/1 for the St Leger.
Jan Brueghel was a Flemish painter and draughtsman.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
