Benvenuto Cellini claims Irish Derby redemption & Magnitude beats a stellar field in a clash for the ages
The Irish Derby ๐ฎ๐ช A heavyweight clash in the US ๐บ๐ธ
This week's WHR Weekly has it all.
What’s Happened
๐ฆ๐ท Argentina ๐ฆ๐ท
At San Isidro, the G1 Gran Premio Estrellas Distaff - Copa Senor Alejandro J Menditeguy went to Indiana Candy, for trainer Juan Saldivia and jockey William Pereyra. It was a second straight G1 win for the filly, who crossed the line three lengths ahead of Samba Do Brazil.
There was a tight finish to the G1 Gran Premio Estrellas Mile - Auspicia Laboratorio Cimol Stakes when Que Tarde Gris beat Bronx by a neck. The four-year-old was ridden by Adrian Giannetti for trainer Carlos Arnaldo.
An upset in the featured G1 Gran Premio Estrellas Classic - Copa Escribano Hernan Ceriani Cernadas Stakes when Neat Colt beat Hit Colchonero and favourite Need You Tonight to secure his first top level win. The three-year-old was ridden by Juan Villagra for trainer Gustavo Romero.
๐ฆ๐บ Australia ๐ฆ๐บ
The 76th and final G1 of the Australian season took place on Saturday when Splash Back claimed her first win at the top level in the Tattersalls Tiara at Eagle Farm. Trained by Grahame Begg and ridden by Jordan Childs, she powered home by a length and a quarter from Savagery Vibe.
๐ซ๐ท France ๐ซ๐ท
Former trainer Criquette Head has a horse to be excited about as an owner after Pearled Majesty ran out the impressive winner of the G2 Prix Eugene Adam at Saint-Cloud on Sunday. Ridden by Christophe Soumillon and trained by Mauricio Delcher Sanchez who also part-owns him, the Persian King colt created Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe chatter after a two and a half-length win from the front.
๐ฎ๐ช Ireland ๐ฎ๐ช
There was redemption for Benvenuto Cellini in the G1 Irish Derby at The Curragh on Sunday. Aidan O’Brien’s colt made amends for his Epsom Derby mishap, when he was controversially declared a non-runner after leaving a leg in the stalls. This time it was plain sailing for the Ryan Moore-ridden chestnut, who strode to a length and three-quarter success over stablemates Christmas Day and Pierre Bonnard.
O’Brien indicated that the Breeders’ Cup Classic, on dirt at Keeneland in October, is under consideration for the son of Frankel.
Purview has the Breeders’ Cup Turf on his agenda after winning the G3 International Stakes for Dermot Weld and Colin Keane. The Kingman colt won for the fourth time in seven starts here, beating Trustyourinstinct by three-quarters of a length.
Estrange won her first G1, upsetting Oaks winner Thundering On in Saturday’s Pretty Polly Stakes. Ridden by Danny Tudhope for trainer David O’Meara, the almost white mare won by a length and a half from outsider One Look.
O’Brien’s Sun Goddess made a quick return after defeat in the G3 Albany at Royal Ascot, beating Green Empress by three-quarters of a length in the G2 Airlie Stud Stakes.
๐ฒ๐บ Mauritius ๐ฒ๐บ
There was an exciting finish to the G1 Barbe Cup, one of the features of the season, when At My Command and jockey Swapneel Rama just beat Bugalugs and Meridus in the 1600metre contest.
๐ฌ๐ง UK ๐ฌ๐ง
G1 Sussex Stakes winner Qirat got back to winning ways, taking the G3 Criterion Stakes at York on Saturday. Trained by Ralph Beckett, the gelding was ridden by Silvestre de Sousa to a length and a half win over Never So Brave.
At Newcastle, the G3 Chipchase Stakes went to the Ed Bethell-trained Paborus who took his career record to five wins in eight starts under Callum Rodriguez.
๐บ๐ธ USA ๐บ๐ธ
It was one of the races of the year so far, with Sovereignty, White Abarrio and Magnitude clashing in the G1 Stephen Foster at Churchill Downs. It went to Magnitude who made every post a winning one under Jose Ortiz, beating Baeza by a length and a quarter. It was a second G1 win for Steve Asmussen’s colt, who now has guaranteed entry into the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Asmussen and Ortiz also took the G2 Wise Dan Stakes when Lagynos won the G2 Wise Dan Stakes, beating Mercante by three-quarters of a length, and racking up a fifth win in a row.
Also heading to Keeneland in October is Immersive who landed the Win and You’re In G2 Fleur de Lis Stakes for Irad Ortiz and Brad Cox.
What’s Happening
๐ฏ๐ต Japan ๐ฏ๐ต
The G3 TV Nishinippon Corp Sho Kitakyushu Kinen is the feature at Kokura on Sunday.
๐ฟ๐ฆ South Africa ๐ฟ๐ฆ
Billed as the biggest race in Africa, the G1 Durban July takes place at Greyville on Saturday. The field of 18 includes G1 winners Mocha Blend and Star Major. The main supporting race is the G1 Garden Province, for fillies and mares. 11 line up, including Justin Snaith’s defending champion Double Grand Slam.
๐บ๐ธ USA ๐บ๐ธ
The G1 Belmont Derby and Belmont Oaks are the feature races at Saratoga on 4th July weekend. Two UK raiders have been entered for the Derby; the Charlie Appleby-trained Pacific Avenue and Simon and Ed Crisford’s Title Role.
The G2 Suburban, for older horses, has G1 winners Antiquarian and Hit Show among the likely runners.
๐ฌ๐ง UK ๐ฌ๐ง
The G1 Coral-Eclipse takes place at Sandown on Saturday. Won last year by Delacroix, this year’s line-up is likely to feature the improving Gethin and G1 Prix du Jockey-Club winner Constitution River. The G3 Coral Charge and Listed Coral Distaff are the main supporting races.
๏ปฟ
The G2 Lancashire Oaks, scheduled for Haydock Park, takes place at Newmarket due to the northern track’s ongoing drainage issues.
