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Glasgow Times
21 hours ago
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Al Riffa makes class count with stylish Curragh Cup win
The dual Group One winner had played a supporting role in three previous outings this year, finishing third in the Neom Turf Cup in Saudi Arabia and fourth in the Prix Ganay in France before finding the globetrotting Rebel's Romance too strong Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot. Stepping up to a mile and three-quarters for the first time, the Dylan Browne McMonagle-ridden 4-5 favourite saw out the trip in some style, rocketing clear late on to claim Group Two honours by five lengths from Shackleton. Crash, bang, wallop – what a stayer! Hardwicke Stakes runner-up 𝐀𝐥 𝐑𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐚 thrives for a step up to 1m6f with a frankly effortless success in the Curragh Cup 💥 — Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 19, 2025 Stable representative Kevin Blake said: 'That was brilliant, he's a horse with a lot of class and he was last to first in a National Stakes here in fairness to him. 'No one ever felt that he needed that trip, but it made sense. He was relaxed, Dylan said he was very easy to ride over that trip, he quickened up and it was really good. 'I'd say it's most likely that he'll go straight to the Irish Leger from here. There is a possibility of the Group One that he won in Berlin last year (Grosser Preis von Berlin), but I'd say it's more likely he'll go straight there. 'The Melbourne Cup is in the minds thereafter. We all know what comes with that but that would be what we'd like to do, if we're allowed.' New Zealand and Ryan Moore won the opening race at the Curragh (Niall Carson/PA) Odds-on favourite New Zealand led home a one-two-three for Aidan O'Brien in the Juddmonte Chaldean Irish EBF Maiden. Despite finishing only seventh on his debut at this venue three weeks ago, the Frankel colt was sent on his way the 10-11 favourite to open his account in a race won by Henry Longfellow and The Lion In Winter in the past two years and was soon bowling along in front under Ryan Moore. He was under pressure from two furlongs down, but kept responding to his rider's urgings and had just enough up his sleeve to repel his previously unraced stablemate Issac Newton by a nose, with another Ballydoyle newcomer Action – a half-brother to dual Derby winner Lambourn – an eyecatching third. A @Ballydoyle 1-2-3 in the @JuddmonteFarms Chaldean @IrishEBF_ Maiden 🔥 Action and Isaac Newton caught the eye, but 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐙𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 held sway under Ryan Moore. The Lion In Winter, Henry Longfellow, Mac Swiney, New Approach and Teofilo have all won this race 👀 — Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 19, 2025 Of the winner, O'Brien said: 'He's a lovely big horse, he hasn't a clue what he's doing yet – he's massive, the power and the size of him. 'We'll go gentle and let him come on. He learned a lot from the first day, we liked him before that and he was very green. The first day he was a little bit slow away and you could see him today, he never travelled a yard. 'He's a big horse and he's all power. I know he's not short of speed, but he looks like a big, middle-distance horse.' The Ado McGuinness-trained Go Athletico (20-1) swooped fast and late under Shane Foley to claim top honours in the €100,000 Kwiff Supercharged Betting Scurry Handicap. Go Athletico (right) gets up to win the Scurry Handicap (Niall Carson/PA) 'It's a nice birthday present – I'm the big 60 today,' said McGuinness. 'I suppose class is permanent and form is temporary and he did lose his form big time. He slipped back down and we were very disappointed with him. 'He's a good horse and he'll probably pitch up in Galway now in the Ahonoora Handicap, that's where he's going to do next.' Stop The Nation was a 15-2 winner of the Lavazza Sprint Nursery Handicap for trainer Jack Davison and 3lb claimer James Ryan. 'I had a baby boy at 23.59 last night and James Ryan lost his claim there. It's a real feel-good winner on many fronts,' said Davison. 'He's a good colt and he's learning the whole time. He'll be a lovely horse for the Goffs Million.'
South Wales Argus
a day ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Al Riffa makes class count with stylish Curragh Cup win
The dual Group One winner had played a supporting role in three previous outings this year, finishing third in the Neom Turf Cup in Saudi Arabia and fourth in the Prix Ganay in France before finding the globetrotting Rebel's Romance too strong Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot. Stepping up to a mile and three-quarters for the first time, the Dylan Browne McMonagle-ridden 4-5 favourite saw out the trip in some style, rocketing clear late on to claim Group Two honours by five lengths from Shackleton. Crash, bang, wallop – what a stayer! Hardwicke Stakes runner-up 𝐀𝐥 𝐑𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐚 thrives for a step up to 1m6f with a frankly effortless success in the Curragh Cup 💥 — Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 19, 2025 Stable representative Kevin Blake said: 'That was brilliant, he's a horse with a lot of class and he was last to first in a National Stakes here in fairness to him. 'No one ever felt that he needed that trip, but it made sense. He was relaxed, Dylan said he was very easy to ride over that trip, he quickened up and it was really good. 'I'd say it's most likely that he'll go straight to the Irish Leger from here. There is a possibility of the Group One that he won in Berlin last year (Grosser Preis von Berlin), but I'd say it's more likely he'll go straight there. 'The Melbourne Cup is in the minds thereafter. We all know what comes with that but that would be what we'd like to do, if we're allowed.' New Zealand and Ryan Moore won the opening race at the Curragh (Niall Carson/PA) Odds-on favourite New Zealand led home a one-two-three for Aidan O'Brien in the Juddmonte Chaldean Irish EBF Maiden. Despite finishing only seventh on his debut at this venue three weeks ago, the Frankel colt was sent on his way the 10-11 favourite to open his account in a race won by Henry Longfellow and The Lion In Winter in the past two years and was soon bowling along in front under Ryan Moore. He was under pressure from two furlongs down, but kept responding to his rider's urgings and had just enough up his sleeve to repel his previously unraced stablemate Issac Newton by a nose, with another Ballydoyle newcomer Action – a half-brother to dual Derby winner Lambourn – an eyecatching third. A @Ballydoyle 1-2-3 in the @JuddmonteFarms Chaldean @IrishEBF_ Maiden 🔥 Action and Isaac Newton caught the eye, but 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐙𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 held sway under Ryan Moore. The Lion In Winter, Henry Longfellow, Mac Swiney, New Approach and Teofilo have all won this race 👀 — Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 19, 2025 Of the winner, O'Brien said: 'He's a lovely big horse, he hasn't a clue what he's doing yet – he's massive, the power and the size of him. 'We'll go gentle and let him come on. He learned a lot from the first day, we liked him before that and he was very green. The first day he was a little bit slow away and you could see him today, he never travelled a yard. 'He's a big horse and he's all power. I know he's not short of speed, but he looks like a big, middle-distance horse.' The Ado McGuinness-trained Go Athletico (20-1) swooped fast and late under Shane Foley to claim top honours in the €100,000 Kwiff Supercharged Betting Scurry Handicap. Go Athletico (right) gets up to win the Scurry Handicap (Niall Carson/PA) 'It's a nice birthday present – I'm the big 60 today,' said McGuinness. 'I suppose class is permanent and form is temporary and he did lose his form big time. He slipped back down and we were very disappointed with him. 'He's a good horse and he'll probably pitch up in Galway now in the Ahonoora Handicap, that's where he's going to do next.' Stop The Nation was a 15-2 winner of the Lavazza Sprint Nursery Handicap for trainer Jack Davison and 3lb claimer James Ryan. 'I had a baby boy at 23.59 last night and James Ryan lost his claim there. It's a real feel-good winner on many fronts,' said Davison. 'He's a good colt and he's learning the whole time. He'll be a lovely horse for the Goffs Million.'
Powys County Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Al Riffa makes class count with stylish Curragh Cup win
Joseph O'Brien's Al Riffa stamped his class on the Michael John Kennedy Curragh Cup. The dual Group One winner had played a supporting role in three previous outings this year, finishing third in the Neom Turf Cup in Saudi Arabia and fourth in the Prix Ganay in France before finding the globetrotting Rebel's Romance too strong Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot. Stepping up to a mile and three-quarters for the first time, the Dylan Browne McMonagle-ridden 4-5 favourite saw out the trip in some style, rocketing clear late on to claim Group Two honours by five lengths from Shackleton. Crash, bang, wallop – what a stayer! Hardwicke Stakes runner-up 𝐀𝐥 𝐑𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐚 thrives for a step up to 1m6f with a frankly effortless success in the Curragh Cup 💥 — Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 19, 2025 Stable representative Kevin Blake said: 'That was brilliant, he's a horse with a lot of class and he was last to first in a National Stakes here in fairness to him. 'No one ever felt that he needed that trip, but it made sense. He was relaxed, Dylan said he was very easy to ride over that trip, he quickened up and it was really good. 'I'd say it's most likely that he'll go straight to the Irish Leger from here. There is a possibility of the Group One that he won in Berlin last year (Grosser Preis von Berlin), but I'd say it's more likely he'll go straight there. 'The Melbourne Cup is in the minds thereafter. We all know what comes with that but that would be what we'd like to do, if we're allowed.' Odds-on favourite New Zealand led home a one-two-three for Aidan O'Brien in the Juddmonte Chaldean Irish EBF Maiden. Despite finishing only seventh on his debut at this venue three weeks ago, the Frankel colt was sent on his way the 10-11 favourite to open his account in a race won by Henry Longfellow and The Lion In Winter in the past two years and was soon bowling along in front under Ryan Moore. He was under pressure from two furlongs down, but kept responding to his rider's urgings and had just enough up his sleeve to repel his previously unraced stablemate Issac Newton by a nose, with another Ballydoyle newcomer Action – a half-brother to dual Derby winner Lambourn – an eyecatching third. A @Ballydoyle 1-2-3 in the @JuddmonteFarms Chaldean @IrishEBF_ Maiden 🔥 Action and Isaac Newton caught the eye, but 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐙𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 held sway under Ryan Moore. The Lion In Winter, Henry Longfellow, Mac Swiney, New Approach and Teofilo have all won this race 👀 — Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 19, 2025 Of the winner, O'Brien said: 'He's a lovely big horse, he hasn't a clue what he's doing yet – he's massive, the power and the size of him. 'We'll go gentle and let him come on. He learned a lot from the first day, we liked him before that and he was very green. The first day he was a little bit slow away and you could see him today, he never travelled a yard. 'He's a big horse and he's all power. I know he's not short of speed, but he looks like a big, middle-distance horse.' The Ado McGuinness-trained Go Athletico (20-1) swooped fast and late under Shane Foley to claim top honours in the €100,000 Kwiff Supercharged Betting Scurry Handicap. 'It's a nice birthday present – I'm the big 60 today,' said McGuinness. 'I suppose class is permanent and form is temporary and he did lose his form big time. He slipped back down and we were very disappointed with him. 'He's a good horse and he'll probably pitch up in Galway now in the Ahonoora Handicap, that's where he's going to do next.' Stop The Nation was a 15-2 winner of the Lavazza Sprint Nursery Handicap for trainer Jack Davison and 3lb claimer James Ryan. 'I had a baby boy at 23.59 last night and James Ryan lost his claim there. It's a real feel-good winner on many fronts,' said Davison. 'He's a good colt and he's learning the whole time. He'll be a lovely horse for the Goffs Million.'
Rhyl Journal
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Maranoa Charlie on course for City of York test
Christopher Head's son of Wootton Bassett was a headline purchase by the Yorkshire-based Bond Thoroughbred operation – the racing entity of the late Reg Bond now overseen by son Charlie – prior to the Deauville Group One and proved himself to be a quality acquisition with a fine run amongst a stellar cast. 'It's exciting times and it was quite a pressure run having invested a lot of money but it worked out well and he backed everything up that we had seen previously,' said Charlie Bond. 'Christopher was very complimentary of him and told us after we had purchased him he thinks this is the best horse he has ever trained, so we knew we had bought into a serious horse and he went and proved it.' WOODSHAUNA WINS THE PRIX JEAN PRAT! 🏆 — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) July 6, 2025 Attempting to make all on the Normandy coast, Maranoa Charlie was able to repel the likes of Aidan O'Brien's The Lion In Winter and Charlie Appleby's Shadow Of Light before being thwarted by the narrowest of margins after the late thrust of the Francis-Henri Graffard-trained Woodshauna. Bond added: 'He sort of ran four races and three horses took him on, he eyeballed them and got the better of them, just unfortunately the fourth one didn't give him enough time to react, even though the jockey said he went after him and a stride after the line he was getting back on top of him again. 'The jockey said this horse just does not like to get beat and it's incredible how three of them came there on the bridle, but once he eyeballed them he saw them off and they were proper Group One contenders, so you can definitely upgrade our run.' Although trained in France by Chantilly-based Head, Maranoa Charlie will be seen as a local hero if able set the record straight and register a first victory in the famous yellow and black colours of his ownership team on their home soil in York's newly upgraded Group One on August 23. 'I think Christopher and the jockey may try some different tactics at York, but you'll see what they decide on the day,' continued Bond. 'It's a kink at York rather than a straight and a bit of a dogleg, which I think will benefit us and we hope he loves the Knavesmire as it's the race Christopher has in mind for him. 'It's exciting times for Bond Thoroughbreds, so we can look forward to York and go again.'
Leader Live
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Maranoa Charlie on course for City of York test
Christopher Head's son of Wootton Bassett was a headline purchase by the Yorkshire-based Bond Thoroughbred operation – the racing entity of the late Reg Bond now overseen by son Charlie – prior to the Deauville Group One and proved himself to be a quality acquisition with a fine run amongst a stellar cast. 'It's exciting times and it was quite a pressure run having invested a lot of money but it worked out well and he backed everything up that we had seen previously,' said Charlie Bond. 'Christopher was very complimentary of him and told us after we had purchased him he thinks this is the best horse he has ever trained, so we knew we had bought into a serious horse and he went and proved it.' WOODSHAUNA WINS THE PRIX JEAN PRAT! 🏆 — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) July 6, 2025 Attempting to make all on the Normandy coast, Maranoa Charlie was able to repel the likes of Aidan O'Brien's The Lion In Winter and Charlie Appleby's Shadow Of Light before being thwarted by the narrowest of margins after the late thrust of the Francis-Henri Graffard-trained Woodshauna. Bond added: 'He sort of ran four races and three horses took him on, he eyeballed them and got the better of them, just unfortunately the fourth one didn't give him enough time to react, even though the jockey said he went after him and a stride after the line he was getting back on top of him again. 'The jockey said this horse just does not like to get beat and it's incredible how three of them came there on the bridle, but once he eyeballed them he saw them off and they were proper Group One contenders, so you can definitely upgrade our run.' Although trained in France by Chantilly-based Head, Maranoa Charlie will be seen as a local hero if able set the record straight and register a first victory in the famous yellow and black colours of his ownership team on their home soil in York's newly upgraded Group One on August 23. 'I think Christopher and the jockey may try some different tactics at York, but you'll see what they decide on the day,' continued Bond. 'It's a kink at York rather than a straight and a bit of a dogleg, which I think will benefit us and we hope he loves the Knavesmire as it's the race Christopher has in mind for him. 'It's exciting times for Bond Thoroughbreds, so we can look forward to York and go again.'
