Sovereign makes all to stun Irish Derby field a 1,2,3 for Ballydoyle with Anthony Van Dyck in 2nd & Norway in 3rd and a 13th Irish Derby for Aidan

Sovereign made most of the running to land the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at odds of 33/1 under Padraig Beggy at the Curragh on Saturday.

The son of Galileo was one of the least fancied of the Ballydoyle quintet after helping to force the pace in Derby trials at Leopardstown and in the Investec Derby at Epsom.

Set the role of pacemaker again at the Curragh, he set a strong gallop along with Norway but he didn't see another rival after shrugging off his stablemate in the home straight.

Epsom winner and 5/4 favourite Anthony Van Dyck emerged from the chasing pack to run into second, but he was six lengths adrift of the winner at the line.

Jockey Beggy was bagging a second Classic success after his Epsom win on 40/1 chance Wings Of Eagles in 2017. It was his first win from 10 rides this season.

O'Brien has won the Irish Derby more times than Beggy has had rides this season, Sovereign's win taking his tally to 13.

Breandán Ó hUallacháin photos

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Aidan Says that Circus Maximus & Magical are under consideration for next Saturday's Coral-Eclipse at Sandown

Anthony Van Dyck, Broome, Cape Of Good Hope, Circus Maximus, Constantinople, Flag Of Honour, Hermosa, Hunting Horn, I Can Fly, Japan, Magic Wand, Magical, & Pink Dogwood all have entries in next Saturdays Coral Eclipse - 43 horses left in

Cape Of Good Hope & Van Beethoven under consideration for the Belmont Derby Coral Beach & Fleeting under consideration for the Belmont Oaks - Both races are on July 6th

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Breandán Ó hUallacháin photos of Anthony Van Dyck Broome Norway Il Paradiso & Sovereign in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby G1 - Many thanks Breandán

Anthony Van Dyck

Broome

Norway

Il Paradiso

Sovereign

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Breandán Ó hUallacháin photos of Monarch Of Egypt & Fort Myers in the 4.40 GAIN Railway Stakes (Group 2) at the Curragh - Many thanks Breandán

Monarch Of Egypt

Fort Myers

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Breandán Ó hUallacháin photos of Turnberry Isle 4.05 Dubai Duty Free The Irish Village Handicap at the Curragh - Many thanks Breandán

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Breandán Ó hUallacháin photos of Blenheim Palace in the 3.30 Dubai Duty Free Full Of Surprises International Stakes (Group 3) at the Curragh - Many thanks Breandán

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Breandán Ó hUallacháin photos of Gossamer Wings in the 2.20 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship Dash Stakes (listed) at the Curragh - Many thanks Breandán

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Breandán Ó hUallacháin photos of the Ballydoyle runner 5.25 Juddmonte Pretty Polly Stakes (Group 1) at the Curragh Curragh - Many thanks Breandán

Pink Dogwood (7)

Magic Wand (1)

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Breandán Ó hUallacháin photos of the Ballydoyle runner 4.50 Finlay Volvo Cars Summer Fillies Handicap at the Curragh Huge thanks to Breandán

I Remember You

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Breandán Ó hUallacháin photos of the Ballydoyle runners in the 4.15 Airlie Stud Stakes (Group 2) at the Curragh Huge thanks to Breandán

Precious Moments (8)

Tango (10)

Blissful (4)

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Breandán Ó hUallacháin photos of the Ballydoyle runners in the 3.45 Comer Group International Curragh Cup (Group 2) at the Curragh Huge thanks to Breandán

Southern France (4)

Western Australia (9)

Heaven on Earth

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Breandán Ó hUallacháin photos of the Ballydoyle runners in the 3.15 at the Curragh Huge thanks to Breandán

Masteroffoxhounds (7)

Royal Dornoch (15)

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Armory breaks maiden tag in style at The Curragh

The 4/7 shot was held up by Donnacha O'Brien in the seven-furlong contest and found himself behind a wall of horses passing the two furlong pole.

He tried to edge out a furlong-and-a-half out and finally got clear passing the one pole.

The son of Galileo, who had been third on his debut at Leopardstown a fortnight ago, showed impressive acceleration to get to the front in the final 100 yards and record a two-and-a-quarter length success.

Jungle Cove, who had been bumped a bit by the winner as he tried to get out, stayed on in the closing stages and just failed to peg back long-time leader Arranmore for the runner-up spot.

The winning trainer said:- “He did well to win after getting caught behind horses, and I was surprised that he won by two and a quarter lengths.

“He could go to the July meeting (at Newmarket) maybe over seven furlongs. He’s after having his two runs now and I’m delighted with him.

“He could even step back in trip as Donnacha said he felt very quick.”

Donnacha O’Brien added:- “A lot of the Galileo’s like to lengthen but he’s able to quicken.

“I was stuck in a pocket but the second I got a bit of light he made up a lot of ground in a short space of time. He can be a little bit keen at home so I just wanted to get him to relax.”

Paddy Power introduced the winner at 20/1 for the 2000 Guineas and the Derby.

(Quotes by Alan Magee)

Pictures from Breandán Ó hUallacháin

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Pictures from Breandán Ó hUallacháin of the Ballydoyle runners in the 6.15 Irish Stallion Farms C+G Maiden at the Curragh Huge thanks to Breandán

Armory (1)

Hong Kong (6)

New World Tapestry (9)

Pictures from Breandán Ó hUallacháin of the Ballydoyle runners in the 5.45 Irish Stallion Farms Fillies Maiden Huge thanks to Breandán

Ennistymon (3)

Love (8)

Meeting (9)

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Epsom Derby hero Anthony Van Dyck faces a field of 7 as he bids to double up in the Irish Derby

Guardian Photos

Investec Derby hero Anthony Van Dyck will face seven rivals when he bids to follow up in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby on Saturday.

Galileo colt provided Aidan O’Brien with a joint-record seventh victory in the premier Classic at Epsom four weeks ago and is well fancied to follow in the hoofprints of Ballydoyle greats like High Chaparral and Galileo himself by becoming a dual Derby winner at the Curragh.

O’Brien also saddles Epsom fourth Broome, as well as Il Paradiso, Norway and Sovereign as he bids for an incredible 13th Irish Derby success.

The biggest threat to the O’Brien squad is Madhmoon — beaten just half a length into second by Anthony Van Dyck at Epsom.

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Simply Beautiful just gets up to break her maiden tag at Naas

Healy Racing Photos (c)

Donnacha O'Brien completed a first and last race double at Naas, as he partnered Simply Beautiful to victory in the concluding Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden over a mile.

Placed on her last two starts, the daughter Galileo was expected to get off the mark this evening, going off the clear 9/10 favourite.

Settled in second, the Aidan O'Brien trained grey was pushed along to challenge from the two furlong pole.

She was ridden and got to the front inside the final 150 yards, keeping on well from there to prevail by a length and a half.

Bellakris (9/2) kept on well to take second under Shane Foley for Jessica Harrington, while the front-running Mater Matuta (14/1) was a head back in third.

"She had good form. I think she wants further than that and wants a little bit slower ground but she was just good enough to win today,” said Donnacha O'Brien who was earlier successful on A New Dawn.

"She's a grand filly. Conditions weren't with her today but she put her head down and galloped to the line."

The winner is a full-sister to Mekong River who won five times from seven starts, claiming the Group 3 Friarstown Stud International Stakes on his final outing.

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Pink Dogwood faces 6 in Curragh Feature

26th June

Pink Dogwood is one of three runners for Aidan O'Brien in the Juddmonte Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh.

The Ballydoyle maestro has saddled four previous winners of the 10-furlong Group One - in Peeping Fawn (2007), Misty for Me (2011), Diamondsandrubies (2015) and Minding (2016) - and possesses a strong hand in Friday's renewal.

Having filled the runner-up spot in the Investec Oaks at Epsom four weeks ago, Pink Dogwood is very much O'Brien's chief hope ahead of stable companions Magic Wand and Happen.

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Some Major Ballydoyle Festival Entries Update
Juddmonte International - Flag Of Honour, Hunting Horn, Magical,
Anthony Van Dyck, Broome, Circus Maximus, Japan, Magna Grecia,
Mohawk, Mount Everest, Hermosa, Pink Dogwood.
Yorkshire Oaks - Magic Wand, Delphinia, Fleeting, Happen,
Heaven On Earth, Hermosa, Pink Dogwood, South Sea Pearl.
Nunthorpe Stakes - Sergei Prokofiev, Ten Sovereigns, Fairyland,
Gossamer Wings, So Perfect.
Goodwood Cup - Cyprus Creek, Flag Of Honour, Hunting Horn,
Southern France, Barbados, Constantinople, Harpo Marx, Norway,
South Pacific.

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Anthony Van Dyck to be Partnered by Moore in Double Derby Bid

25th June

Anthony Van Dyck headlines Aidan O’Brien’s six contenders for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh on Saturday.

The Investec Derby, who will be ridden by Ryan Moore after Seamie Heffernan partnered him to glory at Epsom last time out, will bid to complete a double last achieved by Harzand in 2016.

Broome, who was fourth at Epsom, Norway, Il Paradiso, Sovereign and Western Australia remain in the mix for Ballydoyle.

“At the moment it looks like Anthony Van Dyck, Broome, Norway and Sovereign, and we still have to decide on Western Australia and Il Paradiso,” said O’Brien, speaking at a press morning for the race.

“Ryan always rides the number one and that is obviously Anthony Van Dyck, that’s the way it always is in a Derby.”

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Monarch of Egypt to take on Siskin in exciting Railway clash at the Curragh

25th June

Siskin and Monarch Of Egypt are on course for a mouthwatering clash in the GAIN Railway Stakes at the Curragh on Saturday.

The Group Two has 10 confirmations, including Coventry Stakes winner Arizona, a stablemate of Monarch Of Egypt.

Ger Lyons confirmed Siskin is set to run having resisted the temptation to take him to Ascot last week.

The Khalid Abdullah-owned colt has created a big impression in winning his first two races.

“In the Railway, we run Siskin. We didn’t bother going to Ascot and I’d like to think the drying ground (will suit),” said Lyons.

Aidan O’Brien has an incredible record in the race having won it 13 times and he needs one more to draw level with the great Vincent O’Brien.

Monarch Of Egypt, a son of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, was O’Brien’s first juvenile runner of the season at Naas in April and won easily.

He then suffered a setback which ruled him out of Ascot, but is ready to return now.

“We’re thinking of Monarch Of Egypt for the Railway. He had a little setback which meant he missed Ascot and he’s just ready to start back, but he might go there,” said O’Brien.

Fort Myers, King Neptune, Mount Fuji and Royal Lytham have also been entered by O’Brien.

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South Pacific could be sent on Curragh Cup Mission

Image result for south pacific royal ascot

25th June

Royal Ascot winner South Pacific is among 19 possibles in the Comer Group International Curragh Cup.

The three-year-old led home stablemates Constantinople and Eminence in the King George V Stakes, and could turn out again quickly on Friday.

Aidan O’Brien has several others in the mix — including 2017 Irish Derby winner Capri, Barbados, who was second in the Queen’s Vase and also has the option of running at Newcastle in the Northumberland Plate this weekend and Southern France, who finished sixth in the Hardwicke.

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Pink Dogwood Headlines Ballydoyle 7 in Pretty Polly Stakes

24th June

Aidan O’Brien is responsible for seven of the 12 remaining possibles after the confirmation stage for the Juddmonte Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh.

His main chance on Friday appears to lie with Pink Dogwood, who finished second to Anapurna in the Oaks at Epsom. She could well be suited by the drop to 10 furlongs.

The Ballydoyle trainer has left in several fillies who ran at Ascot last week, including Ribblesdale second Fleeting.

Magic Wand and I Can Fly — who were both also placed at Ascot — along with Happen, Just Wonderful and Peach Tree are also in the mix.

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Aidan Talks about the future for Royal Ascot Stars Japan & Arizona

24th June

“We probably have two choices with Japan. There is either the Grand Prix de Paris at ParisLongchamp on July 14 or come back to Ascot for the King George on July 27. I would say they would be the options, but we will see what the lads want to do.

He was winter favourite for the Derby and he was just about ready to start off in the Dante at York, then he went to the Derby and on Friday and we couldn’t have been happier with him.”

We couldn’t have been happier with Arizona. He is still a baby and is still green. He really kept it together and kept coming. We have races like the Phoenix Stakes or the Prix Morny in mind for him. I’d say he will get further as well.”

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Impressive Kangaroo Valley absolutely bolts up in Tipperary Maiden

Healy Racing Photos (c)

The father and son team of Aidan and Donnacha O’Brien were on the mark as Kangaroo Valley made virtually all for a very convincing victory in the Tipperary Maiden.

The son of Australia was fitted with cheek pieces for the first time in this 1m4f event, and took full control in the straight.

The 11/4 chance drew clear inside the final quarter mile, and stayed on strongly to score by eight lengths.

Yonkers could only keep on at one pace in second, while Brexit Briefcase made a promising debut when staying on nicely to finish a further eight lengths back in third.

Donnacha O'Brien said, "Whatever gets out in front doesn't seem to be coming back and I decided to make plenty use of him and he stuck at it well.

"I haven't been riding him but he gave me a nice feel today and he did it well."

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Heaven On Earth breaks her maiden tag in style in Limerick Maiden

Regally bred Heaven On Earth gained a valuable first win at Limerick today as the Aidan O'Brien trained filly landed the Irish Stallion Farms EBF (Fillies) Maiden under jockey Michael Hussey.

The daughter of Galileo is a sister to English 1,000 Guineas and English Oaks winner Minding, a seven-time Group 1 winner, and today made it third time lucky when readily beating Lady Olenna.

Heaven On Earth's win was trainer O'Brien's second of the day following Japan's win in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot.

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Classy Japan takes King Edward VII Stakes in style

6/4 favourite Japan ran out a clear-cut winner of the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot under Ryan Moore.

Aidan O'Brien's colt was providing a fourth success of the meeting for his jockey and was upholding the Investec Derby form after his third to stablemate Anthony Van Dyck at Epsom.

Japan was held up off a frenetic early pace before challenging wide to win as the 6-4 favourite, stretching clear by four and a half lengths from Bangkok and Eagles By Day.

O'Brien said of his winner: "This is a very smart horse. He's coming forward lovely, and we couldn't be happier. He's been progressing all the time."

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Toronto leads home Arthurs Kingdom in Ballydoyle 1,2 in Leopardstown Maiden

Toronto avoided the scrimmaging in behind, as he ran out a comfortable winner of the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.

An eye-catching fifth on debut here last month, the Aidan O'Brien trained colt was expected to make the breakthrough this evening, opening on-course at evens, before going off the clear 8/11 favourite.

Soon in front, the half-brother of Canford Cliffs went clear from the two furlong pole and was eased in the closing stages, coming home a length to the good.

His stable mate Arthur's Kingdom (3/1) finished second on debut under Michael Hussey. He stumbled badly over two furlongs out, but kept on well in the closing stages to finish a never nearer second.

Fellow newcomer Lougher, backed from 10s to 5s on-course, was another three and a half lengths back in third, but she had a far from smooth passage.

Having jumped the road early on, the Richard O'Brien trained chestnut was short of room from before the straight and was again denied a run from the two furlong pole.

Once in the clear she finished out her race well under Colin Keane.

"He was cosy. He was just a little bit green and had a look close to the line," said McNamara.

"He was very comfortably through the race. I wasn't able to get a lead for as long as I would, ideally, have liked and was left in front a bit longer than I would have liked.

"He quickened and put the race to bed off the home turn. In the last 100 yards he was starting to gear down on me a little bit.

"He got the mile well but he probably didn't even need to go the mile today as he showed plenty of pace.

"It was a nice performance and he stepped forward from his first run. It's nice to get one while the lads are away in Ascot.

"I had ridden him very little, and definitely not since his first run, but I was chatting to Wayne Lordan this morning and he said he ran a nice race the last day. He gave me plenty of confidence in him going out and it worked out nicely.

"He's definitely well able for a step up in grade after that, you'd imagine into group company, and hopefully he'll continue to progress.

"He has a top class pedigree so there is no reason why he can't. How far he'll go, I don't know, but there is plenty for him."

The winner was completing a cross-card double for Aidan O'Brien, who was earlier successful with South Pacific at Royal Ascot.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

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South Pacific leads home Ballydoyle 1 2 3 in the King George V Stakes

Aidan O'Brien mopped up the concluding King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot on Thursday by saddling the first three in the mile-and-a-half handicap for three-year-olds.

South Pacific (22/1), ridden by Seamie Heffernan, led home his brigade after producing a neat turn of foot in the final furlong.

Constantinople (11/2) was just a neck behind his stablemate in second, with Eminence (25/1) completing the trio a further length and three-quarters away. Persian Moon was fourth.

O’Brien, saddling his fourth winner of the week, expects more improvement from all three horses.

He said: "The winner is a lovely horse, a progressing horse. He’s happy at a mile and a half and will get better. He might stay further.

"I was delighted with the second horse, he’s only a baby. For him to do that under top-weight, and the third horse the same. He’s a big horse.

"They would all progress, I’d imagine. They ran off nice marks. The second horse won a Group race last time.

"We might stay at a handicap next with them and progress after that. We’ll see."

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Southern Hill Files Home late to take the Wndsor Castle Stakes a first Royal Ascot win for first season sire Gleneagles

Southern Hills takes out the finale on day two of Royal Ascot for the Ballydoyle tema and Ryan Moore. Late on All the action was on the stands' rail as Southern Hills proves too strong for Platinum Star with Glasvegas running on strongly for third.

68 Royal Ascot winners for the incredible Aidan O'Brien who hasn't had things all his own way today but continues to have his horses primed for the big occasion. Don't forget, this colt was still a maiden coming into the race and is a big-race winner for first-season sire and former 2000 Guineas winner Gleneagles.

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Hermosa set for Group One Treble and Ten Sovereigns on course for Commonwealth

19th June

Dual 1000 Guineas winner Hermosa will face nine rivals as she bids to add to her laurels in Friday’s Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Aidan O’Brien’s charge was a surprise winner at Newmarket at the beginning of May, but her four-length win in Irish Guineas at the Curragh at the end of the month certainly confirmed the form.

Pretty Pollyanna was back in second that day and she reopposes for Michael Bell while O’Brien also fields Happen and Just Wonderful.

Ten Sovereigns tops nine contenders for Commonwealth Cup glory at Royal Ascot on Friday.

Aidan O’Brien’s runner won each of his three juvenile starts, culminating in the six-furlong Middle Park Stakes, but could finish only fifth behind stablemate Magna Grecia in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on his return.

Ten Sovereigns drops back to six furlongs here and he is joined by fellow Guineas also-ran Advertise, who finished 15th in the Classic and will be equipped with blinkers by trainer Martyn Meade this time.

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Setback Rules Kew Gardens Out Until Irish Leger

19th June

Aidan O’Brien hopes Kew Gardens will recover from a setback in time to tackle races such as the Irish St Leger this season.

The 2018 St Leger hero was ruled out of Thursday’s Gold Cup at Royal Ascot after he sustained a small muscle injury during his build-up to the Group One highlight.

After finishing second on his seasonal return in the Ormonde Stakes at Chester, the son of Galileo had subsequently filled the same spot behind Defoe in the Coronation Cup at Epsom.

O’Brien said: “Kew Gardens had a little bit of a setback, so that is why he is not in the Gold Cup.

“We will go gently with him for two or three weeks, and see how he comes out of it. It is a small muscular thing, and hopefully it will heal itself quickly.

“I would have thought races like the Irish St Leger and races like that will be open to him. It wasn’t ideal – but these things happen.”

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Brave Circus Maximus fights them off to take the St James's Palace Stakes (Group 1) At Royal Ascot

Circus Maximus showed his adaptability when dropping back in trip to land the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Last seen finishing sixth in the Investec Derby at Epsom, the Galileo colt needed to be supplemented at a cost of £45,000 for the Group One contest over a mile.

Having won the Dee Stakes over an extended 10 furlongs before his tilt at Classic glory, it was seen as a bold move by Aidan O'Brien running him over half a mile less.

Wearing blinkers for the first time, Ryan Moore was happy to take a lead off Fox Champion before making his bid for home with two furlongs to run.

As Irish Guineas winner Phoenix Of Spain dropped away, the favourite Too Darn Hot became embroiled in a battle with Circus Maximus (10-1).

Having seen off last year's champion juvenile, it was his John Gosden-trained stablemate King Of Comedy who flew home to get closest at the line, but Circus Maximus held on by a neck, with Too Darn Hot three-quarters of a length away in third.

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Brilliant Arizona Delivers a 9th Coventry Stakes Win for Aidan O'Brien

Aidan O'Brien wasted little time in claiming his first winner at this year's meeting as Arizona struck gold in the Coventry Stakes.

The No Nay Never colt, who had looked a hugely exciting prospect when scoring by eight lengths at the Curragh last month, was a heavily-backed 15-8 favourite to provide his trainer with a ninth win in this prestigious juvenile prize.

His supporters will have been sweating for much of the contest, with Arizona seemingly struggling to go the early gallop, but he ultimately came strongly in the hands of Ryan Moore to narrowly deny his main market rival, the Richard Hannon-trained Threat.

Sky Bet cut the winner to 14/1 from 25s for the QIPCO 2000 Guineas, Head of Sports PR Michael Shinners saying: "It was hard work in the end but he's in the right hands and is the sort to keep progressing. It will be interesting to see how high he can fly."

Moore said: "He's impressed me on all his starts and has a super attitude, he's just not fully switched on yet. He'll probably benefit from stepping up in trip a little bit and I think he's a high-class colt.

"He's come out of a maiden, so it was a different tempo today. You could only be delighted with what he's done."

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Flowering Peach Stays on late to take Gowran Maiden

Healy Racing Photos (C)

Favourite Angel’s Amy gave it a good go from the front but she was mown down late by Flowering Peach (8/1) in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden at Gowran.

On start four the 75-rated Ballydoyle victor was ridden by Seamie Heffernan, and she was one of two strong finishers.

Timemakesitfine also gave plenty of encouragement for the future, a neck back in third, and they drew seven lengths clear of the fourth placer Kiss For A Jewel.

“We always liked her and we knew she was a little bit weak, so hopefully she’s going to strengthen up into a Stakes type. She has a really good attitude," said Heffernan on the half length scorer.

“She’s honest and we always knew that she was a winner waiting to happen. They have good pedigrees so they have a chance of making up into something.”

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Ballydoyle Trio Remain In Prix De Diane

11th May

Aidan O’Brien has three of the remaining 20 fillies in Sunday’s Prix de Diane, with Alain de Royer-Dupre’s Siyarafina leading the way.

While O’Brien has taken out Investec Oaks second and third Pink Dogwood and Fleeting, he can still choose from Just Wonderful, South Sea Pearl and Coral Beach. Just Wonderful has run below par in the English and Irish Guineas South Sea Pearl remains a maiden after 2 starts Coral Beach finished 8th in both the French & Irish Guineas.

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Aidan "I don't think Magna Grecia will make Royal Ascot

Image result for magna grecia 2000 guineas

11th May

Aidan gave an update on Magna Grecia “At this stage I don’t think he’s going to make Ascot. He pulled a hamstring in the Guineas. It’s responding but maybe not quick enough. If you asked me now (about Ascot) I’d say probably not.

It’s just taking its time. It can be slow sometimes. It either responds very quickly or it takes its time, these hamstrings.

Obviously if he doesn’t make it we’ll try and get him right again . Obviously there’s Goodwood (Sussex Stakes) there,”

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Royal Lytham is another first crop winner for Gleneagles after smart Navan debut

Aidan O’Brien doubled his score in race two at Navan as outsider of his three representatives Royal Lytham (10/1) proved best in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF (C & G) Maiden under Seamie Heffernan.

A son of first season sire Gleneagles, Royal Lytham picked up well in the closing stages to collar Dark Vader by three parts of a length as the Donnacha O’Brien-ridden United Front (4/7 favourite) floundered back in fourth.

O’Brien junior had landed the curtain-raiser on Ballydoyle’s Tango.

“I travelled strong and I would have been a very unlucky loser (not clear run a furlong out),” said Heffernan.

“I was lucky Robbie (Colgan, on eventual 3rd Prince Of Naples) dropped away and I got a split. He won easy.

“You'd like his attitude, attitude is a big plus and he's one of them that could be anything. He won very easy.”

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Comfortable for Tango In Navan Maiden

The Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden at Navan saw Ballydoyle’s Tango justify odds of 1/6 with the minimum of fuss under Donnacha O’Brien.

Second at the Curragh on debut on May 24th, the successful daughter of No Nay Never went a place better, leading over a furlong out to beat But You Said by two and a half lengths.

Paddy Power now go 14/1 first show about Tango for the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot.

“It was very smooth. I travelled well, quickened up well and put it to bed easy,” said the winning rider.

“I don't know how good of a race it was but it felt very easy today and I'm sure she's smart, definitely a black-type class filly.

“I'd imagine she'll go to Royal Ascot for something, the Albany or Queen Mary or something like that, but I'll leave that to Dad.

“I think she'll get a little bit further but she has pace for six.”

Healy Racing Photos (c)

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Ballydoyle 1,2,3 in Curragh Maiden as smart Lopez Y Fernandez wins on Debut

Lope Y Fernandez led home a 1, 2, 3 for Aidan O'Brien in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF (C&G) Maiden.

Bought for a massive E900,000 at Arqana Deauville August Yearlings Sale last year, the son of Lope De Vega is a half-brother to Dark Vision who won a Group 2 at Goodwood last summer and finished twelfth behind Magna Grecia in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in May.

Expected to go close this evening, the bay colt was sent off an easy to back 15/8 favourite (11/10 in early shows) under Donnacha O'Brien.

Settled behind the leaders, he was pushed along to lead just over a furlong from home, keeping on well from there to score comfortably, by three and three parts of a length.

Kipling (10/3) kept on to take second under Seamie Heffernan, while Mythologic (12/1) was another length and a quarter back in third.

The Ken Condon trained Galatic Grey, who was backed from 25s to 6s on-course, was beaten a nose into fourth.

"You'd be delighted with him. They are three lovely horses," said Aidan O'Brien.

"Seamie was very happy with his horse and Wayne was very happy as well.

"The winner could be a Chesham horse and so could the other two.

"I'd say the winner is nice, he picked up well and travelled well throughout the race. Donnacha was very happy with him."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

Sue Maguire's Photos

Kipling 7

Lopez Y Fernandez 9

Mythologic 10

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Eyecatching debut for Yearofthetiger & Sue Maguire's photos of the Ballydoyle horses at the Curragh

Year Of The Tiger

Royal County Down

War Leader

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Comfortable for Harpo Marx in Tipperary Maiden

Healy Racing Photos (C)

Donnacha O'Brien sealed a Tipperary double when guiding 8/13 favourite Harpo Marx home in the concluding maiden over an extended mile and a half.

Aidan O'Brien's colt came to tackle Yenillik over a furlong out and he strode on to score by two and a quarter lengths from Halimi (14/1) who got up for second.

Yenillik (11/1 from 20/1) was a neck away in third as the first three came in clear.

Aidan O'Brien said: "You'd be delighted with him and he'd probably want better ground and he stays well.

"He is progressive, wants much better ground and is a big, strong, powerful horse.

"He could step up in trip and could run in the Queen's Vase next. It's a 1m6f this year and he'd go straight there as he won't have much time to have another run."

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AVD & Pink Dogwood are Curragh bound

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3rd June

All roads appear to lead to the Curragh next for Aidan O'Brien's premier Epsom Classic protagonists Anthony Van Dyck and Pink Dogwood.

O'Brien has restated the plan is likely to be for Saturday's Investec Derby winner to bid for a famous double in the Irish equivalent at the end of this month - while Oaks runner-up will be ready to take on open-age Group One company in the Juddmonte Pretty Polly Stakes on June 28th.

Anthony Van Dyck's next big date is a day later, O'Brien confirmed, as he provided an update on future plans for several of his Epsom team.

Ballydoyle supplied five of the first six home from their seven contenders in the Derby, as O'Brien took his winning tally in the great race to a record-equalling seven.

Reflecting on Anthony Van Dyck's route to the top, and his hard-fought half-length win from Kevin Prendergast's runner-up Madhmoon, O’Brien confirmed the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby is set to be the next target.

"He ran in all the top two-year-old races, and he finished up and went to America (for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf) - so he was very solid mentally and physically," the trainer told Sky Sports Racing.

"I think the lads (Coolmore) had it in their head that he would come back to the Curragh if everything went well.

"I haven’t spoken to them yet (since), and they'll probably want to see how the horse is over the coming week and then make their plan - but I think that's what they were thinking of at the moment."

The nagging question Anthony Van Dyck answered for O'Brien at Epsom was that he had the necessary stamina - and he therefore remains confident a drop back in trip at some point will be no issue.

"We thought he would, that a mile and a quarter would be no problem to him," he added.

"He's out of a very fast mare, by Galileo, so I suppose the thing we weren’t sure about was the mile and a half. But he got it very well."

Pink Dogwood, beaten just a neck by Anapurna in the Oaks on Friday, is in line to drop back to 10 furlongs.

"She seems to be fine — everyone is happy with her," said O’Brien.

"We were delighted. She might have a little easy time for a few days, and then she might be trained for the Pretty Polly.

"We’re looking forward to going back racing at the Curragh. We’re thinking of something like that, but haven’t spoken to the lads yet.

"We think she’s a filly to look forward to for the rest of the year."

O’Brien also has high hopes for the future of Sir Dragonet, beaten for the first time as favourite in the Derby but barely a length behind Anthony Van Dyck - in just his third race and only six weeks after his debut.

"Sir Dragonet is a lovely horse," he said.

"He ran an incredible race, and would have learned a lot.

"He was a real baby going into the race, but he ran unbelievably well and is really a horse to look forward to."

Japan, third at the weekend, falls into the same category - having, like the winner, faced a tight schedule to be ready for his prep race.

"Japan was in the same boat as Anthony Van Dyck when he ran (in the Dante) — he wouldn’t even have been ready to run at Lingfield (in the Derby Trial there).

"It was the first time he was ready to start, so we felt he would come forward a lot from the Dante."

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Brave A V D holds on to give Aidan O'Brien a record 7th Epsom Derby

Aidan O'Brien secured a record-equalling seventh Investec Derby thanks to Anthony Van Dyck and Seamie Heffernan in a tight finish for the prestigious prize.

Eighteen years on from his first triumph in the premier Classic with Galileo, the County Tipperary trainer saddled no less than seven of the 13 runners, with the previously unbeaten Sir Dragonet heading the market at 11/4 after being supplemented earlier in the week.

Anthony Van Dyck - a three-time winner as a two-year-old - earned his shot at Derby glory with an impressive comeback victory in the Lingfield Derby Trial three weeks ago and was also prominent in the betting at 13/2, following support in the minutes leading up to the race.

Heffernan's mount raced in mid-division for much of the way, and still had more horses ahead of him than behind inside the final quarter-mile

Sir Dragonet and Madhmoon - trained by the 86-year-old Kevin Prendergast - were disputing the lead racing inside the final furlong, but Anthony Dan Dyck darted up the inside of the pair and galloped on strongly against the far rail.

Madhmoon boxed on for second to deny O'Brien a clean sweep, with another Ballydoyle inmate in Japan flying home to finish third, ahead of his stable companions Broome and Sir Dragonet in fourth and fifth respectively.

Ballydoyle Derby Finishing Order Anthony Van Dyck 1st Broome 3rd Japan 4th Sir Dragonet 5th Circus Maxamus 6th Norway 8th Sovereign 10th

Breandán Ó hUallacháin Pictures of AVD huge thanks to him

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