Going - Good, Good To Firm in places. (Round), Good (Straight).. Overcast
Jackpot Pool - €7,917.91 Not Won. Carried forward to Curragh on Sunday 21st July. Placepot Pool - €34,496.39 Dividend - €37.50 Winning Units - 643.42. Pick Six Pool - €23,208.70 Not Won. Carried forward to Curragh on Sunday 21st July. Days Aggregate - €301,987.00 Last Year €293,887.00
Iberia soars home in final furlong
We thought they were three nice colts [Sherpa finished sixth] but they were just ready to start. They were green and babyish. Ryan was very happy with his lad, they were all very happy. The winner was green for a minute when he dropped him down but then when he got it together he picked up well. He won't have any problem going up in trip but seven (furlongs) probably won't be a problem next time as he'll be way more clued in. When he quickened he just got caught a little bit but then he got organised. The Futurity could be an option for him. Seamus (Heffernan) said that he thought the third horse felt like a very smart horse.
O'Brien brothers Waitingfortheday and it arrives
Donnacha (O'Brien) gave her a lovely ride. There wasn't much pace on, and we were probably going to be a bit further back, but he grabbed the bull by the horns and went on and sat second. He controlled most of the race and then she was tough when he needed her when Ken Condon's filly (Crafty Madam) came. She toughed it out well. She's a great filly for the lads as she been so consistent. For the last few years she's seldom ran a bad race and that's probably her career best today. It's a good pot. There a bunch of these fillies' handicaps this year and they are fantastic for these fillies. There are animals staying in training just for those races. She could have gone to the shed last year but she has great money to run for all year. She could go to Galway, she'll have plenty of entries.
Grassick plunders Scurry pot with Verhoyen
I actually wasn't going to run him because everywhere else was getting rain yesterday. I thought it wasn't going to arrive here but luckily there was 7mm last night which kept it good and let me run him,. Rory was very positive on him and I was surprised how well he stuck at it. I thought the draw was going to favour the stands' side but I said 'just go straight' as there was no point trying to come over. The stands' side were a long way back at the junction. I just didn't see any pace in the race and said to my jockeys 'both of you help each other out' as they both like to be handy. I'm surprised how well he stuck at it but he's well handicapped from what he's doing at home and on his two-year-old form in the Listed race. He's shown a level of ability but just hasn't been consistent. He just lost his way a bit last year but sometimes you see that with sprinters as three-year-olds. The Bold Lad could be a target for him. He only ran on Wednesday night so I'll give him a couple of easy weeks now. He deserves it. This would be my biggest winner in terms of prize-money but Texas Rock won two Listed races. It's only my second winner of the year and he's won the two races. I've just no horses, I need horses!
Romanised shows his class at Headquarters
It's lovely to see that. He's been in good shape this year. He had two lovely runs in Group One company and he appreciated dropping in grade. Billy was delighted with him and he said when the gap came he quickened up very smartly. He said when he got to the front he was always just doing enough. He's gone very professional this year, more relaxed and easier to deal with. I thought it was a lovely performance. I'm pleased because you are nearly on a hiding to nothing, you're nearly expected to win, and you'd be hoping that it works out like that but it rarely does in racing. He'll come out of the race well and he'll go the Jacques Marois next. There was just a big gap between Ascot and the Jacques Marois, the guts of eight weeks, and I just thought he'd need something to keep him at a level. I'm delighted. I'd probably prefer to being going back to seven with him rather than going a mile-and-a-one or two today. What helped was that Billy said they went a good pace. He needed them too really, to be fair. He said from halfway he was happy with him. I thought he quickened well there, he switched leads, like a nice horse. He said when he got there he was like 'oh I've enough done' which is nice as well. Billy was very good on him. I was kind of looking at the Prix de la Foret last year (over seven) but thought maybe the round track at Longchamp would be too sharp for him. I don't know now. That opens up options.
Star Catcher raids Curragh for Irish Oaks
When I suggested it to Mr Oppenheimer he was very brave and said 'go for it if you think it's right', so he gave me full support. I think Frankie was aware that his filly showed her best in the last furlong of the Ribblesdale and he was determined not to see a falsely run race. He's gone out there, set his own fractions, and quickened off the bend. With a tail wind in the straight but a head wind in front all the way down the back. That's Frankie, you leave him alone when he has a plan and he can go to plan b usually quite quickly. He has to have courage to do that which comes from years of experience and having a clock in your head. He's rode a quite beautiful race and confirmed the Ribblesdale form. She's a lovely filly and she's really done well since Royal Ascot. It just seemed an obvious thing to come here. This is a classic, it's a Group 1 and it's the Irish Oaks. They do close these races too soon in my opinion which is why I never have entries in them and I always end up having to supplement if I have something good enough. I wish they'd close them a little later here and then more of us could play. I'd say that was the plan.
Hourigan and 50/1 Moonmeister win Ladies Derby
It was a great performance. The horse was out of sorts all year, I don't know what was wrong with him but he started to come in the last month. Our jockey couldn't have done it better and everything worked out lovely. It's a lovely pot to land and it's a good man involved (Phil Rugg). It's his first horse to get involved with, with me, so it's great. There is no point making any plans, we'll enjoy today.
Mia Maria off the mark for Weld
She did it nicely. It was a good confident ride from Oisin, she just got a little bit tired going to the line. We'll look for a winner of one or a Listed race for her, maybe Gowran or somewhere. She's a nice filly in the making. She's tall, lean and progressive. I thought she'd win and she did it nicely.
