Yosemite Valley quickens away in the closing stages© Photo Healy Racing
Yosemite Valley stamped his authority all over the six furlong DMG Media Maiden in the Curragh with a four-and-a-quarter-length success.
The 5/6 favourite came here on the back of a runner-up berth at Navan and in truth his backers didn't have much of a sweat once he came through a furlong and a half down. Un Bacio Ancora briefly looked a threat at the furlong pole, but Yosemite Valley had matters well in hand 150 yards out as he began to move clear. He went on by four and a-quarter lengths from the 50/1 runner-up. Nouvel Espoir (80/1) was another three lengths away in third.
Donnacha O'Brien said: “We always thought he was a smart horse and, to be fair, it's been a long road back for him. There are a lot of people that have put in a lot of hard work to get him here so it's great to get him back.
“We always thought he was a group horse and obviously he had group form at two.
“I think there is a conditions race over seven back here in a few weeks. He could run in that and then we'd put him away for the year and maybe look at stakes company next year.
“I think seven furlongs or a mile is probably his trip.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
