Latest news with #DeclanMcDonogh
Irish Examiner
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Puerto Rico can deliver as derby weekend opens
An eye-catcher on his debut over course and distance three weeks ago, Puerto Rico might get punters off to a successful start in the Lock 13 Gastropub&Brewpub 2-Y-0 Maiden which kicks-off Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby weekend at the Curragh. A Wootton Bassett colt, trained by Aidan O'Brien, he was sent off as 10/1 Ballydoyle second-string for his debut but, ridden by Declan McDonogh, made late progress under Declan McDonogh to finish fourth, beaten three lengths, by his stable-companion Flushing Meadows. That form has been boosted by the third, North Coast's smooth success at Down Royal last weekend and, sure to know a lot more about his job this time, Puerto Rico should prove a tough nut to crack. Ger Lyons has won three of the last four runnings of this maiden and relies this time on Learntodiscover, sent off a strong 13/8 favourite for his debut over course and distance, when having to settle for third spot behind a couple for Ballydoyle colts, Brussels and Kansas, rock-solid form. The Havana Grey colt should take a step forward from that run, but might not cope with Puerto Rico. A step-up to seven furlongs and the addition of a hood should help Cape Sounion's bid to make it third-time-lucky in the seven-furlong O'Driscolls Whiskey 2-Y-0 Fillies Maiden. This No Nay Never filly was green as grass when she bumped into Ballydoyle hope Simply Astounding on her debut in Naas and was then a beaten favourite when third to her stable-companion and subsequent 'Albany' third Balantina in a six-furlong Curragh maiden. Donnacha O'Brien's charge sets a formidable form standard and gets the nod over Ballydoyle hope Minerva, a £1.5m. yearling, who is expected to improve dramatically from her debut third behind another O'Brien filly Moments Of Joy. This daughter of Frankel, highly-regarded in Ballydoyle, looked virtually clueless at Leopardstown but, with that run under her belt, she should prove a different proposition here against Cape Sounion. Elsewhere on a card which includes three handicaps and a charity race. Joseph O'Brien's consistent but luckless Tswalu might make her breakthrough in the Diageo Luxury Spirits Maiden. A daughter of Justify, she has filled the runner-up berth in all three of her starts, this season behind Catalina Delcarpio, Darzina and Royal Entry (went on to win the Ulster Oaks) respectively. A real galloper, she is rated 4lb below another frustrating sort in Game Point but looks more straight-forward and is preferred.
South China Morning Post
12-02-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Moore among six overseas riders granted licences in aftermath of Sha Tin fall
Star Englishman, Richard Kingscote, Declan McDonogh and James Orman join Tom Marquand and Hollie Doyle in answering the Jockey Club's call by Jay Rooney on Wednesday, February 12, 2025 6:31 PM Jockey Ryan Moore. Photo: Kenneth Chan British champion Ryan Moore headlines a group of six jockeys bound for Hong Kong to help fill the void left by the four riders injured in Sha Tin falls last Sunday. The Jockey Club announced on Wednesday that Moore, Richard Kingscote, Declan McDonogh and Australian James Orman will join Tom Marquand and Hollie Doyle as short-term additions to the riding roster. Moore, a two-time winner of the Longines International Jockeys' Championship (IJC) and dual Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m) victor, will ride at Happy Valley meetings on February 26 and March 5 as well as the Classic Cup (1,800m) card at Sha Tin on March 2. Kingscote and Orman will make their Hong Kong debuts when they take up short-term contracts from February 19 to April 2. — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) February 12, 2025 Kingscote, 38, is a multiple Group One winner in Britain and Ireland and his international experience includes a stint in Japan last year. Orman, 27, has won multiple Brisbane premierships and has also had success in two Dubai stints. Irishman McDonogh, 45, will ride in Hong Kong from February 23 to April 2. He has experience in the city, having competed in the IJC in 2006 and ridden Mustameet in the Group One Hong Kong Mile the same year. Marquand and Doyle will ride at Sha Tin on Sunday and the Valley next Wednesday. Zac Purton, Vincent Ho Chak-yiu, Angus Chung Yik-lai and Keith Yeung Ming-lun were all ruled out for multiple weeks after last Sunday's chaotic afternoon at Sha Tin.
