Next stop York for Moonstone
Moonstone will seek further Group One glory for Aidan O’Brien at York next month after getting home in a thrilling finish to the Darley Irish Oaks at the Curragh.
Sent off the 2-1 favourite, the Dalakhani filly needed all of Johnny Murtagh’s magic in getting the better of 66-1 stablemate Ice Queen right on the line.
It was a 13th success at the highest level for O’Brien this year and also a magnificent seventh successive Irish Classic for the Ballydoyle maestro in a run that began with Soldier Of Fortune’s win in the 2007 Irish Derby and followed up with Peeping Fawn (Oaks) and Yeats (St Leger).
And now after winning all four on home soil so far this year with Henrythenavigator (2000 Guineas), Halfway to Heaven (1000 Guineas) and Frozen Fire (Derby), he just has to take the Leger again in September to complete a clean sweep, for which Cashmans quote 1-4.
Amazingly, Moonstone was registering the first win of her career and it was on the nod at the finish with just a short head between the pair.
A delighted O’Brien said: “It was a great race with two jockeys and two fillies giving it their all.
“It was a usual masterful ride from Johnny and Colm (O’Donoghue) gave his filly a great ride too.
“Moonstone ran a smashing race at Epsom and she stays very well. She is progressing well and will head next for the Yorkshire Oaks (August 21).
“Ice Queen wouldn’t mind dropping back to 10 furlongs.”
The runner-up is in the Nassau Stakes at Glorious Goodwood (August 2) over that trip.
O’Donoghue was, however, hit with a two-day careless riding ban by the stewards after they looked into an incident in the closing stages involving the front two and third home Gagnoa.
O’Brien was out of luck in the other Group race on the card, the Dubai Duty Free Anglesey Stakes, when the odds-on favourite Westphalia found Bushranger (7-2) too strong.
David Wachman’s colt earned a 33-1 quote from William Hill for the 2000 Guineas after coming home two and a half lengths clear to gain ample compensation for his defeat by 100-1 shot Flashmans Papers in the Windsor Castle Stakes.
“He did it well. Circumstances at Royal Ascot meant he was in front too long which didn’t suit him so we tried different tactics here,” said Wachman.
“He should improve and make a very nice horse.”
Wachman and jockey Wayne Lordan completed a 571/2-1 double thanks to Navajo Moon (12-1), who took the Listed Kilboy Estate Stakes by a neck from Jalmira.
David Nicholls has an enviable record with his sprinters and Masta Plasta ensured another profitable trip to Ireland by winning the Ladbrokes Rockingham Handicap.
Chris Hayes always had Lady O’Reilly’s gelding up with the pace in the centre of the course before taking a clear advantage over a furlong out.
The 9-2 favourite bounded clear to score by a length and three-quarters from the strong-finishing Le Cadre Noir.
Hayes was completing a double for the owner having taken the opening the Jebel Ali Stables & Racecourse EBF (C&G) Maiden on Kevin Prendergast’s Driving Snow (10-1).
