Going - Yielding (Straight course); Yielding, Good to Yielding in places (Round). Partly cloudy
Jackpot Pool - 7,509.65 Dividend - 2,389.40 Winning Units - 2.2. Placepot Pool - 28,140.28 Dividend - 72.70 Winning Units - 270.85. Days Aggregate - 214,935.00 (8 races). Last Year 326,802.00 (7 races).
Teresa Mendoza delights Condon on debut
She’s been a nice filly since she got here although we don’t have her a huge length of time. All her work has been very progressive and nice. She went through the race nicely and I’m sure she will improve from it. It’s nice to be able to come to the Curragh with a nice filly and for her to do that. She’s in the (Group 2) Balanchine here next week (July 19) so we’ll see how the week goes. That’s an indication of where we thought we might be but they have to go and do it between the white rails. From what she’s done at home we thought she was Stakes class and after that she warrants going in that direction. Shane (Foley) said she’d have no trouble going an extra furlong. Shane’s riding enough nice ones and he was quite taken with her.
Etneya looks a smart filly on debut at the Curragh
That was a pleasing performance for a filly having her first run. She had been working nicely and did it well.
Carrytheone wins for Australian syndicate
He’s improving all the time. He’s a big horse and is mentally a bit immature. Shane has done a good job on him. We’ve the hood on him as he’s a bit keen at home, a bit buzzy, but he’s starting to relax into it now. I think whatever he does this year, he’ll be even better next year. The syndicate is from Melbourne and I met them when I was over in Australia. Lope de Vega was doing well over there, so I had this fella to sell to them. It’s their first winner in Ireland and I know they were all looking at the race, so I’m thrilled for them.
Gallagher earns his fee on Allora Yeats
She has got a bit of toe, so I was just hopeful to get a bit of luck in-running in the big field. When I asked her to quicken up she did it really well. It was just a matter of getting to the line on time. She's in great form and she is on the up. I think when she step up in grade and they go that stride quicker it might suit her again. She'll go on any ground. She's a good, tough mare. I was panicking a bit coming up the straight as she got stuck in behind a bit of traffic but he gave her a super ride. She’s a mare that likes to be ridden cold and come with one run. After Bellewstown we thought that she would appreciate a stiffer track. She’s proved us right and we’re delighted with her. It’s unlikely that she will get in but I would like to run her in the Ladies' Derby next Saturday. We’ll find something else for her here or at Leopardstown, a nice galloping track somewhere. She’s really turned a corner and will go back hurdling and maybe chasing. She just seems to stay and stay. She’s a big mare and maybe when she was a bit weak when she was younger.
Ryan sees Place Des Vosges home
She deserved that as she was unlucky the last day in Fairyhouse. She’s a big, strong filly and a big galloping track suits her.
Nordic Passage strikes for Levins and O'Connor
That was a lovely performance. He’s in the Scurry next week but I felt he lacked a bit of match practice sprinting.
Make A Challenge does just that in Headquarters
It was good to see him back. The last day was a bit of a mess. A few times we rode him too forward over six including Champions Day at Ascot last year. It was very easy to say that Joe was there too soon but he doesn’t like to be held up. It was more me than Joe last time as I decided to change it up. I left it to Joe today and he told me he’d get it right. To be fair he had to battle and he did. I thought he was beat but he stuck the head down.
Lynwood goes for Gold in Curragh
He’s a good stayer, and he likes that bit of ease in the ground. He might run over hurdles in Galway. The Cesarewitch at the end of the year is probably his aim. How we get to there I’m not sure. I’m delighted with that as he’d been threatening to do it. I thought the second horse was going to go past him but he put his head down and came back at him.