logo
Bucanero Fuerte fends them all off at the Curragh

Bucanero Fuerte fends them all off at the Curragh

Rhyl Journala day ago
The four-year-old won the Group One Phoenix Stakes at this fixture in 2023 and after a mixed run of luck last year, he was retired to stand at stud.
However, Bucanero Fuerte's stallion career was unsuccessful and he returned to the care of Adrian Murray, winning at Naas in May before a setback derailed subsequent plans at Royal Ascot.
Back in top form for this contest, David Egan took the initiative early on and while Art Power tried to match him, Bucanero Fuerte (11-2) looked to have his measure with a furlong to run.
My Mate Alfie and Kind Of Blue both made their bids for glory in the final of six furlongs, but Bucanero Fuerte was just too strong, going on to win by a length and quarter.
Owner Kia Joorabchian, who runs his horses under the Amo Racing banner, said: 'A lot of credit to Adrian (Murray) and Robson (Aguiar) for the training performance there and David gave him an unbelievable ride – just the way he likes to be ridden.
'He's a tough horse who has given us a lot of joy and a lot of tough days as well with health scares. He had a colic issue at Ascot (this year).
'I'm glad to see him back happy on the track. We're definitely not taking him out of Ireland now for a while!
'He could be aimed at the Flying Five as he loves the Curragh.'
Looking forward to the second half of the season, Joorabchian added: 'We have much deeper pedigrees and I'm expecting a better second half and we'll be in a very good place to lead into next year.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Arizona Blaze ready to light up York for Murray team
Arizona Blaze ready to light up York for Murray team

South Wales Argus

time6 hours ago

  • South Wales Argus

Arizona Blaze ready to light up York for Murray team

While stablemate Power Blue caused a major shock against the long odds-on True Love in the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes on Saturday and Bucanero Fuerte ran out a Group Three winner on the same Curragh card, Arizona Blaze is vying for favouritism in the five-furlong feature on the Friday of the four-day Ebor Festival. Second at the Breeders' Cup, he has been running to a remarkably consistent level this season in a division that continues to surprise, finishing second in the Commonwealth Cup to Time For Sandals and then winning the Sapphire Stakes by a clear-cut two lengths. Trainer Adrian Murray is in a rich vein of form (Brian Lawless/PA) 'He's among the favourites and that is because he always turns up on the day – hopefully he will do again in the Nunthorpe,' said Murray. 'He's a very exciting horse, he never runs a bad race and the sprint division is wide open this year. There's no standout horse this season, all the big sprints are being won by different horses. Ours is one of the favourites, but it's wide open. 'I was talking to Roger O'Callaghan (owner of star two-year-old Lady Iman) the other day and they are going to York because of that, it could be a big field. It's exciting times ahead, for sure.' Reflecting on a big-race double for Kia Joorabchian's Amo Racing he described as 'unbelievable', Murray said: 'We expected a run from Bucanero, well we expected a big run from both of them, but we were taking on Aidan O'Brien in the Group One. Power Blue and jockey David Egan with owner Kia Joorabchian at the Curragh in the winner's enclosure (Damien Eagers/PA) 'I was always told never be afraid to run, they don't win anything stood in their stable. 'Power Blue ran very quick sectionals all the way and that is what won him it, he has a high cruising speed but isn't a horse who finds a whole lot off that speed. He can maintain a very high cruising speed. 'He'll probably go for the National Stakes now on Champions Weekend, that will be his next target I think. He's in at York in the sales race, but he's a Group One winner now. 'Bucanero was just very comfortable the whole way through the race and the further they went, the more it looked like he was going to win. 'He was never out of his comfort zone and is a very good horse.' Bucanero Fuerte in winning action (Damien Eagers/PA) Murray went on to praise his assistant Robson Aguiar and his role in the victories. 'We're very lucky to have these horses and it's all down to Robson, he's sourced them and didn't really spend fortunes on them. He's a brilliant man at picking these horses,' said Murray. 'None of the good ones were that expensive in the grand scheme of things, but I think we got a little bit lucky with Bucanero as he's by Wootton Bassett and we got him just before he really took off.'

Arizona Blaze ready to light up York for Murray team
Arizona Blaze ready to light up York for Murray team

Glasgow Times

time6 hours ago

  • Glasgow Times

Arizona Blaze ready to light up York for Murray team

While stablemate Power Blue caused a major shock against the long odds-on True Love in the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes on Saturday and Bucanero Fuerte ran out a Group Three winner on the same Curragh card, Arizona Blaze is vying for favouritism in the five-furlong feature on the Friday of the four-day Ebor Festival. Second at the Breeders' Cup, he has been running to a remarkably consistent level this season in a division that continues to surprise, finishing second in the Commonwealth Cup to Time For Sandals and then winning the Sapphire Stakes by a clear-cut two lengths. Trainer Adrian Murray is in a rich vein of form (Brian Lawless/PA) 'He's among the favourites and that is because he always turns up on the day – hopefully he will do again in the Nunthorpe,' said Murray. 'He's a very exciting horse, he never runs a bad race and the sprint division is wide open this year. There's no standout horse this season, all the big sprints are being won by different horses. Ours is one of the favourites, but it's wide open. 'I was talking to Roger O'Callaghan (owner of star two-year-old Lady Iman) the other day and they are going to York because of that, it could be a big field. It's exciting times ahead, for sure.' Reflecting on a big-race double for Kia Joorabchian's Amo Racing he described as 'unbelievable', Murray said: 'We expected a run from Bucanero, well we expected a big run from both of them, but we were taking on Aidan O'Brien in the Group One. Power Blue and jockey David Egan with owner Kia Joorabchian at the Curragh in the winner's enclosure (Damien Eagers/PA) 'I was always told never be afraid to run, they don't win anything stood in their stable. 'Power Blue ran very quick sectionals all the way and that is what won him it, he has a high cruising speed but isn't a horse who finds a whole lot off that speed. He can maintain a very high cruising speed. 'He'll probably go for the National Stakes now on Champions Weekend, that will be his next target I think. He's in at York in the sales race, but he's a Group One winner now. 'Bucanero was just very comfortable the whole way through the race and the further they went, the more it looked like he was going to win. 'He was never out of his comfort zone and is a very good horse.' Bucanero Fuerte in winning action (Damien Eagers/PA) Murray went on to praise his assistant Robson Aguiar and his role in the victories. 'We're very lucky to have these horses and it's all down to Robson, he's sourced them and didn't really spend fortunes on them. He's a brilliant man at picking these horses,' said Murray. 'None of the good ones were that expensive in the grand scheme of things, but I think we got a little bit lucky with Bucanero as he's by Wootton Bassett and we got him just before he really took off.'

Arizona Blaze ready to light up York for Murray team
Arizona Blaze ready to light up York for Murray team

Powys County Times

time6 hours ago

  • Powys County Times

Arizona Blaze ready to light up York for Murray team

After a weekend to remember, Adrian Murray is relishing another bid for Group One glory at York next week, when Arizona Blaze goes for gold in the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe. While stablemate Power Blue caused a major shock against the long odds-on True Love in the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes on Saturday and Bucanero Fuerte ran out a Group Three winner on the same Curragh card, Arizona Blaze is vying for favouritism in the five-furlong feature on the Friday of the four-day Ebor Festival. Second at the Breeders' Cup, he has been running to a remarkably consistent level this season in a division that continues to surprise, finishing second in the Commonwealth Cup to Time For Sandals and then winning the Sapphire Stakes by a clear-cut two lengths. 'He's among the favourites and that is because he always turns up on the day – hopefully he will do again in the Nunthorpe,' said Murray. 'He's a very exciting horse, he never runs a bad race and the sprint division is wide open this year. There's no standout horse this season, all the big sprints are being won by different horses. Ours is one of the favourites, but it's wide open. 'I was talking to Roger O'Callaghan (owner of star two-year-old Lady Iman) the other day and they are going to York because of that, it could be a big field. It's exciting times ahead, for sure.' Reflecting on a big-race double for Kia Joorabchian's Amo Racing he described as 'unbelievable', Murray said: 'We expected a run from Bucanero, well we expected a big run from both of them, but we were taking on Aidan O'Brien in the Group One. 'I was always told never be afraid to run, they don't win anything stood in their stable. 'Power Blue ran very quick sectionals all the way and that is what won him it, he has a high cruising speed but isn't a horse who finds a whole lot off that speed. He can maintain a very high cruising speed. 'He'll probably go for the National Stakes now on Champions Weekend, that will be his next target I think. He's in at York in the sales race, but he's a Group One winner now. 'Bucanero was just very comfortable the whole way through the race and the further they went, the more it looked like he was going to win. 'He was never out of his comfort zone and is a very good horse.' Murray went on to praise his assistant Robson Aguiar and his role in the victories. 'We're very lucky to have these horses and it's all down to Robson, he's sourced them and didn't really spend fortunes on them. He's a brilliant man at picking these horses,' said Murray. 'None of the good ones were that expensive in the grand scheme of things, but I think we got a little bit lucky with Bucanero as he's by Wootton Bassett and we got him just before he really took off.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store