22 July 2019

Quite a stir!

There were three non-runners in yesterday's Kilboy Estate Stakes at the Curragh, including the William Haggas-trained Move Swiftly, who would have been the red-hot favourite. That left just a field of five and Red Tea, trained by Joseph O'Brien, took advantage of the situation. Donnacha O'Brien took the six-year-old Sakhee mare straight into the lead and gradually turned up the pressure. Aidan O'Brien's Goddess tried hard to get on terms in the latter stages but Red Tea never looked in any danger of being caught and went on to win by two lengths.

Back in front

After a nine-month absence the Roger Charlton-trained Withhold pulled off one of the training feats of the year by winning the £100,000 Marsh Cup at Newbury. The former Cesarewitch and Northumberland Plate winner missed the Melbourne Cup due to a blood vessel problem and then had to undergo wind surgery. All that seemed forgotten as Jason Watson urged the Champs Elysees gelding into a dominant position in this extended two-mile handicap and, after coming round the home turn, the duo set sail for home with most of his fifteen unable to keep up. Mick Channon's Billy Ray eposed the only threat and the winning post came near but Withhold easily pulled a length and three-quarters clear.

Irish victory

Of the nine-strong field in the Friarstown Stud Sapphire Stakes at the Curragh five of them were from Britain. The Eddie Lynam-trained Soffia, however, having followed up her victory at Naas with a course-and-distance success in the Group Three Ballyogan Stakes, had no intention of allowing the prize to be taken from Emerald Isle. This Kyllachy filly, ridden by Chris Hayes, passed the post three-and-a-half lengths clear. The John Quinn-trained El Astronaute was the best of the British raiders and came in second, with Charlie Hills' Garrus and Archie Watson's Soldier's Call third and fourth respectively.

Kaylina Aramis

Breeding Shares available for 2019! 

By Kayf Tara

• full sister to Kayf Aramis 85 runs & over £153,000 prize money, Winner Cheltenham Festival; 3xWinner at York Dante Festival
• full sister to Kaylif Aramis, his career very sadly cut short at a young age: 3 wins, 4 places, over £59,000 prize money, Winner Ascot grade 2; 2nd grade 3 Aintree