Feature Story

O’Brien’s 2000 Guineas dozen complete

O’Brien’s 2000 Guineas dozen complete May 27, 2023

By Duane Fonseca

 

Aidan O’Brien grabbed a 12th Group 1 Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas title after a commanding ride from Ryan Moore saw Paddington finish dominantly over a mile at The Curragh Saturday.

A fourth straight career win for the Siyouni colt, who had never run in Group company before, brought O’Brien a first 2000 Guineas success since Churchill’s victory in the 2017 edition. For Moore, Paddington’s latest two length triumph, his fourth on the bounce, marked a third victory in the race.

Paddington broke slow but travelled strongly through the pack of 11 early on to move up to second behind the pace setting Hi Royal, trained by Kevin Ryan and ridden by Oisin Murphy. No changes seemed to occur at the helm, with Hi Royal holding the lead until just outside the final furlong, but once Moore asked the question, Paddington flew, edging right and jamming Hi Royal slightly, leaving the latter tight for room. 

Paddington’s stable companion Cairo, the ride of Wayne Lordan, accelerated sharply in the final furlong, but that wasn’t enough to keep him from marking his Group level debut with a fine two length victory for a 1-2 for O’Brien. A further three fourths back in third was Hi Royal for Emirati owner Jaber Abdullah.

Referring to the progress made by Paddington since he finished fifth in a maiden at Ascot last September, O’Brien said: “We went to Ascot first time (at two) with him and he was very babyish. Then he came back and won a maiden very easily here.

“He wintered very well and we were very happy with him in the spring. He ended up in the Madrid (Handicap) on a lovely mark, it was a lovely place to start him as it was over seven furlongs, even though the ground was soft.

“Then he came back here and won the Tetrarch on soft ground again, so we weren’t really sure about the ground with him. Obviously he’s a Siyouni out of a Montjeu mare. He was always a beautiful mover but you are never sure until they do it.

“Seamus loved him the last day and he had been doing everything really nice since. He’s a fine, big horse and is maturing very well. He’s very good looking.

“He was a little bit slow away, but Ryan got his position very quickly on him and he didn’t light him up to do it. He’s a very exciting horse.”

Of his next assignment, O’Brien added: “That (Group 1 St James’ Palace Stakes) looks like the natural progression for him though, because he doesn’t look short of speed, even though he will get further in time.”

Murphy had earlier found winning luck in the Group 2 Greenland Stakes over 1200m when guiding Tim Easterby’s sprinting ace Art Power to a four and three fourths length success ahead of Big Gossey, with Ano Syra a further half length back in third. It was a fourth success for the 6yo Dark Angel gelding in as many starts in Ireland, Murphy said: “He was a top-class sprinter and he lost his form a little bit.

“Tim Easterby and King Power Racing have been patient with him and today he gave me a super feel. He loves Ireland - what a fantastic horse!”

Jessica Harrington and Shane Foley clinched the Group 3 Marble Hill Stakes with Givemethebeatboys, victor by a head in the 1200m sprint. Finishing second was favourite Noche Magica, with His Majesty a further head back in third. Assistant trainer Kate Harrington said: “He was very professional out there and he out battled the other horses.

“He was very impressive when he won at Navan, a furlong down you’d think ‘how is this horse going to win?’ and he put his head down and galloped the whole way to the line.”

JP Murtagh’s Mashhoor won the 2400m Listed Orby Stakes under Ben Coen by a half length from Annerville with Ottilien a further two back in third.


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