Joseph O’Brien continues march to century with Gowran Park double
MAKE MINE A DOUBLE: Star Performer and Declan McDonogh win the Darley Irish EBF Hurry Harriet Stakes (Listed). Pic: Healy Racing Photo.
Joseph O’Brien continues his march to a century of domestic winners for the season thanks to a Gowran Park double, highlighted by Star Performer’s stylish success in the listed Darley Irish EBF Hurry Harriet Stakes.
Successful on her only previous start, in a Curragh maiden, the Sea The Stars filly travelled sweetly, was eased into contention by Declan McDonogh soon after turning for home and, in front a furlong and a half out, stretched clear to slam 40/1 front-runner Hollys Graces by four and a half lengths, with Ballydoyle second-string Classiest third.
“She’s a very nice filly and has done nothing wrong,” stated O’Brien, now on the 92-winner mark in Ireland for 2026.
“She was very impressive in the Curragh and this looked an obvious stepping-stone for her. You’d have to be improved with the manner of her victory. She’s a Sea The Stars filly and a stakes winner, which is great. She’ll step into a Group race next as we try to build her profile – she’ll be a nice broodmare in the longer term.”
And winning rider McDonogh added; “She was very professional – she travelled and quickened nicely. Ground is the key – she loves fast ground and this trip was about right. There should be more improvement to come.”
O’Brien had initiated his double when Citrus Springs, a $300,000 Olympiad filly, made it third-time-lucky in the Irish EBF Median Sires Series 2-Y-0 maiden, making all under champion-jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle to slam Mirren by five lengths.
“She had an underwhelming first run, but ran well in Leopardstown,” said the trainer.
“She was bought at an American Breeze-Up and she might be heading back across the Atlantic – we’re planning on bringing a bunch of horses to Nashviille next month and he’ll probably be one of them – there’s a suitable race out there, with good prize-money.”
A big disappointment in Galway, the Johnny Murtagh-trained Fixation bounced back in style when landing the McEnery Cup impressively by four lengths from Star Harbour and Navy Waters.
Always close to the pace, Ben Coen set sail for home two furlongs out. And the race was quickly decided, to the relief of trainer Murtagh, who explained; “He missed the start in Galway, got back in the field and could never challenge – it was a no run.
“But his was more like him. A mile and a half on a tight track, on fast ground, is probably his thing. He’s a bit on edge but is a bus of a ride.
“We’ll see what the handicapper does, but two races come to mind for him, two €150,000 handicaps on Champions Weekend – the ‘Petingo’ (a mile and five furlong) at Leopardstown and the ‘Northfields’ (a mile and a quarter) at the Curragh.”
The season’s leading rider Billy Lee brought his 2026 tally to 63, courtesy of a double on Lohoobb and Rock Of Claremont.
Getting off the mark at the tenth attempt, Michael Grassick’s Lohoobb made all to beat Indigo Dream in the FINAL FURLONG PODCAST Handicap, prompting Lee to comment; “Michael suggested taking a lead. I didn’t do what I was told, but it worked out well. He had a good draw, around a sharp track. And in front is the place to be here.”
Lee struck again and completed a 31/1 double when the Andy Oliver-trained Rock Of Claremont landed the median auction maiden in which odds-on favourite Gliondar flopped, having made the running.
Sam Coen left the meeting as joint-leader, with Paddy Harnett, in the race for the Apprentice Championship following his victory on top-weight She’s Ideal in a division of the 0-60 handicap, second leg of a double for trainer Ado McGuinness whose Minaun View registered his third claiming success of the season in the opener, under another positive ride from Paddy McGettigan.
And, on her stable debut for Gavin Cromwell, Reponse Finale (Robert Whearty) scored in the second division of the 0-60 handicap, getting off the mark at the 21st attempt. The winner holds entries in Cork tomorrow and Dundalk on Saturday.
