The winner Baron Samedi (red and white) and Dylan Browne McMonagle are led home by the riderless Sunchart © Photo Healy Racing
The Group 3 Vintage Crop Stakes went to Baron Samedi totally friendless in the market despite having won his previous five starts, who led home a one-two for trainer Joseph O’Brien.
An 11/2 chance overnight, the Harbour Watch gelding drifted from 9/1 to a generous 20/1 at the off. Sunchart jinked and unseated Andrew Slattery leaving the stalls and preceded the remaining five runners as they came up the home straight for the final time.
Irish Derby winner Santiago (8/13 fav) could find no more from the two pole as the winner and Master Of Reality (8/1) fought out the finish.
Dylan Browne McMonagle ’s mount just found a bit more to win by half a length from his stable companion who had landed this prize in 2019. It was a second win at Pattern level for the progressive winner who, after rattling up a four-timer in handicaps, won a Group 2 in Longchamp last October.
Brendan Powell, assistant to winning trainer Joseph O’Brien, said: "He's one of those unbelievable horses that has kept improving.
“Even turning in a few lads said 'you're beat here' but he never knows when he's beat. He seems to love a fight and he keeps quickening up.
“It was Dylan's first ride in a Group race, and a winner. He's a smashing rider for a young lad.
“That's the quickest the horse would have run on but he said he seemed to float away on it.
“He just kept pulling out that bit more and you just don't know when he's going to stop improving.
“He's filled out this year and he's a bigger horse. He just keeps improving all the time.
“You never know he could end up going to Australia with the others.
“If he stays sound the world is his oyster at the moment over staying trips.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
