Treble for Joseph O'Brien as Browne McMonagle claims 47th success of season

The Ballydoyle team, Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore, had enjoyed better luck in the Group 3 Saudi Cup Silver Flash 2-Y-0 Stakes when Composing justified 4/9 favouritism in fine style.

Thu, 24 Jul, 2025 - 20:54

John Ryan

Highlight of an across-the-card treble for Joseph O’Brien and a 47th success of the season for Dylan Browne McMonagle, who was completing a double, North Coast turned over hot-pot Flushing Meadows in the Group 3 Japan Racign Association Tyros 2-Y-0 Stakes in Leopardstown.

Third to the 30/100 favourite when both colts made their respective debuts at the Curragh, the Starman colt made all, had the favourite in trouble with two furlongs to race and stayed to score by six lengths, with Ryan Moore easing his mount, when clearly beaten, inside the final furlong.

“I was very impressed, particularly in the last hundred yards,” stated O’Brien. “He’s a smart colt, with a good attitude. We’ve campaigned him aggressively – this was his fourth run. We decided we’d make the favourite work for it and it worked out really well.

“The obvious race for him is to go straight for the National Stakes at the Curragh. And the Breeders Cup Juvenile might suit him well around the bend. I’m excited about his future.”

Successful with hurdling debutant Claude (J J Slevin) in the Wexford opener, O’Brien also landed the Frank Conroy Irish BF 2-Y-0 Maiden with 12/1 shot Hardy Warrior who, building on an eye-catching debut at Killarney, made all to see off South island and favourite Montreal, who was slowly into his stride.

“We were very happy with his Killarney run – he was quite green and Declan (McDonogh) gave him a very positive review,” explained O’Brien. “He put his experience to good use here, quickened up nicely and looks a nice colt.

“He should continue improving and is a solid, tough colt. We’ll stick to a mile and he wouldn’t want ground any faster than today. We might look at the ‘Beresford’ for him.”

The Ballydoyle team, Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore, had enjoyed better luck in the Group 3 Saudi Cup Silver Flash 2-Y-0 Stakes when Composing justified 4/9 favouritism in fine style.

Soon in front, Moore dictated the pace on the Curragh maiden winner and, having quickened clear before the furlong-pole, she ran on well to triumph by three and a quarter lengths from Skydance.

“You’d have to be delighted with that,” said Aidan O’Brien, “She’s a lovely straight-forward filly. She won lovely at the Curragh for Wayne (Lordan) and Ryan loved her tonight – she was very professional.

“She’ll go for the ‘Debutante’ at the Curragh (August 23) next and could be a filly for the Moyglare after that.”

Carriganog filly Teewinot was an uneasy 13/8 favourite for the Irish EBF Median Sires Series 2-Y-0 Fillies maiden but was brushed aside by Stephen Thorne’s debutante Mayflower, who overcame a tardy start and swooped late under Ben Coen (his 30th winner of the season) to score by a length and a quarter, in the colours of Shamrock Thoroughbreds.

“She came highly recommended by Robson Aguilar,” said Thorne. “She’s a big girl and this was an ideal place for her to start. She quickened well and looks a filly with a future.”

Later, Dermot Weld stated, “Tactics still win races,” after Chris Hayes partnered Alice Monet, winner of a recent ’optional claimer’ at Fairyhouse, to a convincing all-the-way success in the Dublin To Bahrain Race Series 3-Y-0 Handicap, adding, “This was a good opportunity and I think she’ll develop into a stakes filly.”

In Wexford, Phillip Enright took the riding honours, registering a double in the divisions of the WTW Willis Handicap Hurdle, on the Aengus King-trained joint-favourite Chosen Shant and twelve-year-old 25/1 shot Dontdooddson, trained by Darren Collins.