29-06-2025
Moore shows his class on Skukuza
Long before his Derby success on a hectic afternoon of nine races at the Curragh, jockey Ryan Moore gave an exemplary ride to take the listed Colm McLoughlin Celebration Stakes aboard the Ed Dunlop-trained Skukuza.
Winner of a handicap at the Guineas meeting here, he was well drawn for this step up in class and Moore took full advantage.
Quickly out of stall one, he took up the running and once he had established his position, he dropped anchor and dictated matters in a style which gave his rivals least chance. Quickening from the front, he went clear in the straight, and was beyond recall by the time the well-backed Alakazi found full stride.
In the jockeyship stakes, Dylan Browne McMonagle wasn't far behind as he was also at his brilliant best when taking the listed Jebel Ali Racecourse & Stables Dash Stakes aboard the difficult-to-win-with Vespertilio, trained by Willie McCreery.
Bidding to bridge a gap of almost two years since her sole previous success, McMonagle settled her out the back and while that resulted in some luck being required, it also helped to keep her from hitting the front too soon. Brought between horses to lead inside the final furlong, she repelled the persistent challenge of My Mate Alfie.
In the opener, the €100,000 Dubai Duty Free Premier Handicap, the lack of a recent run proved no barrier to success for 78-rated handicap debutant Sujet, trained by Dermot Weld and ridden by Chris Hayes, who sported the colours of Juddmonte.
Slieve Binnian, a smart sort when trained by the now retired Michael Halford, picked up the day's second premier handicap, doing so under a fine ride by Luke McAteer. Having just his fourth run for David Marnane, and building on some fine efforts, he was perfectly positioned throughout and found plenty to win with a degree of comfort.
Keke was tremendously progressive in 2024 and his clearcut success in the Rockingham suggests the ceiling of his ability has not been reached. Billy Lee delivered Eddie Lynam's five-year-old to lead inside the final furlong and they won with far more authority than the one-length winning margin might indicate.
Two-time Irish Derby winner Jim Bolger was amongst the winners when Fleetfoot, given a strong ride by Declan McDonogh, got up late to land the Tulfarris Hotel And Golf Resort Irish EBF Ragusa Handicap.
The GAIN Summer Fillies' & Mares' Handicap was the fifth €100,000 premier handicap on the card and the John Kinsella-trained and James Ryan-ridden Bellaphina was most impressive. A potent turn of foot carried her clear inside the final furlong and she readily held the late run of Dance Night Andday.
Willie Mullins saddled the first two home in the finale, a two-mile handicap, and it was the lesser fancied in the market, Lot Of Joy, who landed the spoils under the evergreen Seamie Heffernan.
