Latest news with #Leopardstown
Daily Record
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Oaks and Epsom tips and best bets as Aidan O'Brien filly napped for Classic glory
Garry Owen's top tips for day one of Derby meeting at Epsom Giselle (4:00) can put her best foot forward for Aidan O'Brien in Friday's Investec Oaks at Epsom. The daughter of Frankel is tailor-made to give the Ballydoyle ace his 11th winner of this Classic. She showed huge potential when a gallant second to Bedtime Story on debut at Leopardstown. The filly quickly boosted her reputation when comfortably opening her account at the Curragh. She ended 2024 with a staying-on third behind Whirl in a one-mile Group 3 contest back there. Despite that form, the imposing bay looked likely to really excel over middle distances this year. She confirmed that impression with a blistering defeat of Harpsichord in the Lingfield Oaks Trial. The three-year-old looks destined for the very top so she can follow-up in the big race itself. O'Brien can enjoy yet more Group 1 glory with Jan Brueghel (2:40) in the Coronation Cup. The four-year-old absolutely bolted-up from Ozark Daze on his belated debut at the Curragh. He continued to make up for lost time by chinning Trustyourinstinct in a Group 3 back there. The colt showed his St Leger credentials by edging Bellum Justum in the Gordon at Goodwood. He showed class and guts once again to outbattle Illinois in the Last Classic itself at Doncaster. Given time to recover, he returned with a cracking second to Galen over 1m 2f at the Curragh. The star will be primed so he can land add this historic prize to his CV over a more suitable trip. Diego Ventura (1:30) holds all the aces for Hamad Al Jehani in the competitive Surrey Stakes. The colt oozed class when hacking-up from Majestic Wave for Gavin Cromwell on debut at Naas. Bought by Team Wathan, he edged-out Spirit Of Farhh on debut for his new connections at Ascot. The bay continued to justify his price tag when second to The Waco Kid in a Newmarket Group 3. He ran another stormer when filling the same spot behind La Bellota dropped in trip at York. The son of Mehmas was an eye-catching third to Cosmic Year in the Charles II returned to HQ. He put that run to good use with a convincing defeat of Epson Blue Cen in a Longchamp Group 3. There is plenty more to come from this pacey type who can get the better of some exciting rivals. Havana Hurricane (2:05) can blow his rivals away in the British EBF Woodcote Stakes. Eve Johnson Houghton's colt was a well-fancied 11-2 chance before his debut at Goodwood. He handled the undulating track extremely well when hosing-up from the exciting Logi Bear. The two-year-old surged clear that day so he can stay unbeaten up in trip at this similar track. Defiance (3:15) won't back down for Roger Varian in the tricky Betfred Nifty 50 Handicap. The four-year-old looked promising when outbattling Caviar Heights on debut at Sandown. He then didn't run too badly when sixth to Ghostwriter in the Royal Lodge at Newmarket. The bay handled this track well when edged-out by Bellum Justum in the Blue Riband Trial. He couldn't cope with the step-up in trip and class when unplaced in the Lingfield version. The four-year-old had his limitations exposed again when flopping in the Edward VII at Ascot. The son of Camelot retains plenty of ability so he can bounce back in these calmer waters. Two Tempting (4:35) can get the job done once again in the TrustATrader Handicap. Jonathan Portman's horse recorded a career best when just denying Beshtani last year. He was almost as good when fending-off Classic in another red-hot contest at Sandown. However, the five-year-old then struggled off inflated marks on his next couple of starts. He took advantage of some mercy from the assessor when edging Divine Libra at Chester. The gelding quickly lost his way again after a lacklustre effort behind Volterra at Ascot. He bounced back when cosily dismissing Partisan Hero returned to the Roodee last time. This big prize has been the aim ever since so he can strike again for his shrewd handler. Miss Information (5:10) looks reliable for Andrew Balding in the Debenhams Handicap. The filly returned to her useful juvenile form when routing Phoenix Of Dreams at Chester. She then showed a real liking for this track when hammering Guiteau in decent company. The four-year-old then held her form reasonably well for the rest of the campaign. She needed the run when a fine fifth behind Ten Pounds on her comeback at Newmarket. The bay looked much fitter when outbattling Physique in a similar contest returned to HQ. The daughter of Blue Point remains fairly-treated so she can follow-up under Oisin Murphy. EPSOM TIPS 1:30 DIEGO VENTURA 2:05 HAVANA HURRICANE 2:40 JAN BRUEGHEL 3:15 DEFIANCE 4:00 GISELLE (NAP) 4:35 TWO TEMPTING 5:10 MISS INFORMATION
Irish Times
14 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Lands near Leopardstown Racecourse to be developed for housing following long-awaited deal
More than 800 new social and 'affordable' homes will be built near Leopardstown Racecourse in south Co Dublin after a deal to transfer State-owned land to the Land Development Agency (LDA) from the national horse-racing body was reached. The long-awaited agreement, backed by Taoiseach Micheál Martin, will deliver housing on a 17-acre plot of Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) land next to the M50 motorway. The land is zoned for residential use but currently used for racecourse car parking. In the middle of a housing crisis, that prompted questions as to why the site was not being deployed for homes. The LDA, established to build housing on public land, believes the site ranks among the 'least constrained' vacant sites in State ownership with housing potential. The plan includes a new Luas station on the Green line to serve the area. READ MORE The HRI site at Carrickmines Little adjoins separate lands owned by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council which are also earmarked for housing. The sites are on the city side of the M50. According to a recent LDA report, the combined HRI and council lands could eventually accommodate between 1,550 and 2,080 homes. The estimated project cost was up to €571 million. Housing development costs were in a range between €390 million and €480 million, with infrastructure costs of up to €91 million. There was no comment from HRI or the LDA but the deal is said to have followed an intervention from Mr Martin in which he pressed the parties to reach agreement. 'There's no update at the moment,' HRI said. [ Agencies rush to seal deal for Leopardstown Racecourse site before new land tax falls due Opens in new window ] The deal comes more than a year after a Government decision to approve the transfer of the HRI lands to the LDA. Agreement remained elusive for many months but the two State bodies have now resolved to work together in consultation with the council to develop a housing master plan for the area. The plan includes proposals to further develop the racecourse in lands the HRI will retain. Design and planning work is scheduled to begin immediately, although three years could pass before housing is built. The council's local area plan for the lands includes a school and a full-size sports pitch. The LDA believes as many as 70,800 homes could eventually be built on vacant publicly owned sites throughout the State. However, less than 20 per cent of the 102 parcels of public land earmarked for housing are deemed to have 'low levels' of constraints. 'These least-constrained lands have the potential for housing development in the near term for between 10,860 and 14,780 homes,' the LDA said in a report published in March. More than 80 per cent of the sites were 'moderately or significantly' constrained.
Irish Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
Aidan O'Brien Derby update as trainer speaks on his Epsom runners
Ryan Moore is leaning towards riding Delacroix over his stablemate The Lion In Winter in Saturday's Betfred Derby, with a final decision on his Epsom mount to be made before Wednesday lunchtime. The Lion In Winter led the ante-post lists for the premier Classic during the winter months, but an interrupted spring campaign and a sixth-place finish in his Dante Stakes comeback have dented his reputation, despite the Sea The Stars colt remaining prominent in the betting. However, Delacroix – who has impressed by winning both of his starts at Leopardstown this season – became the Derby favourite after trainer Aidan O'Brien said last week "I would imagine Ryan will find it hard not to ride him". During a media Zoom call hosted by the Jockey Club on Tuesday, O'Brien was again asked if he expected Moore to choose the son of Dubawi, and said: "I think so, it's very hard to know and obviously he doesn't have to makeup his mind until 1pm tomorrow. "Ryan will always ride the horse he thinks he has the best chance, that's always been his way regardless and that's the way it has to be. "Ryan rides the horse we think is going to win, sometimes we're right and sometimes we're wrong, but he looks at their ability, where they are the suitability of the horse for the race and tries to get on the one he thinks is going to win. "Obviously no one gets that right all the time, so we'll just have to see how it goes." O'Brien has made it clear that he won't be nudging Moore towards any particular choice, stating: "No, I think you have to be very clear thinking all the time, you have to make calculated decisions all the time and you can't let your heart rule your head. That's what we always try to do really." O'Brien is gearing up for a three-horse push in his quest for an 11th Derby triumph with Delacroix and The Lion In Winter poised to join Chester Vase victor Lambourn. Wayne Lordan and Colin Keane are set to mount the other two horses, with Moore yet to announce his ride. O'Brien anticipates a spirited race from Delacroix this weekend and suggests aggressive racing tactics might continue, adding: "I'd imagine so, that will be Ryan's decision if he rides him. He's a straightforward horse and uncomplicated we think, so I would imagine if he does ride him he'll probably ride him forward. He'll decide that himself when the gates open. "His sister by Galileo (Grateful) got a mile and six (furlongs) well and as everybody knows he's by Dubawi. You never know until you do it, but we always thought there was a good chance that he would get the mile and a half." With regards to The Lion In Winter, despite possibly being the secondary choice from Ballydoyle, O'Brien is optimistic of a significant improvement following the horse's last outing at the Dante stakes. The trainer expressed optimism about the horse's progress since York, saying: "We think he's made good progress since York, which we obviously thought he would. He was only just ready to start that day and you're probably better off in a trial knowing that you're going to come forward and everything goes wrong, rather than running in a trial when you think you're fit and everything goes right. "He was a bit fresh and a bit behind fitness-wise but everything has gone well since, we got a run into him, it looked like he was going to get a mile and a quarter well, he got a little bit of interference in the straight and Ryan looked after him. If he hadn't got that he might have been third and if he hadn't have run a little bit keen early he might have been closer. "This is only going to be his second run and you'd imagine whatever he does he's going to come forward again." The trainer will also be triple handed in Friday's Betfred Oaks, with Cheshire Oaks winner Minnie Hauk, Lingfield Oaks Trial scorer Giselle and Musidora Stakes victor Whirl appearing three of the biggest threats to Charlie Appleby's 1000 Guineas heroine Desert Flower. "I'd imagine Ryan will probably ride Minnie Hauk, but obviously that could change if he changes his mind tomorrow," O'Brien revealed. "We liked her last year, she had two runs and won the second time. She's a lovely, straightforward filly and we think she's come forward loads from Chester." Speaking on the significance of the two Epsom Classics, the trainer stated: "They're obviously vital, it's where the whole thoroughbred breed is gauged. "The Derby and the Oaks are the most important races for colts and fillies of the year and for the three-year-old generation."
Glasgow Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Delacroix in pole position to lead Derby charge for Ballydoyle
The Lion In Winter spent the winter months at the head of ante-post lists for the premier Classic, and while an interrupted spring campaign and a sixth-place finish on his Dante Stakes comeback dented his reputation, the Sea The Stars colt has remained prominent in the betting. However, Delacroix – who has impressed in winning each of his two starts at Leopardstown so far this season – hardened as Derby favourite after trainer Aidan O'Brien said last week 'I would imagine Ryan will find it hard not to ride him'. Delacroix takes the Cashel Palace Hotel Derby Trial Stakes and cements claims for the Epsom Derby in June! ✅@waynemlordan | @Ballydoyle — Leopardstown RC (@LeopardstownRC) May 11, 2025 On a media Zoom call hosted by the Jockey Club on Tuesday, O'Brien was again asked if he expected Moore to side with the son of Dubawi, and said: 'I think so, it's very hard to know and obviously he doesn't have to make up his mind until 1pm tomorrow. 'Ryan will always ride the horse he thinks he has the best chance, that's always been his way regardless and that's the way it has to be. 'Ryan rides the horse we think is going to win, sometimes we're right and sometimes we're wrong, but he looks at their ability, where they are the suitability of the horse for the race and tries to get on the one he thinks is going to win. 'Obviously no one gets that right all the time, so we'll just have to see how it goes.' Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore at the Curragh (Niall Carson/PA) On whether he would try to sway Moore in one direction or another, he added: 'No, I think you have to be very clear thinking all the time, you have to make calculated decisions all the time and you can't let your heart rule your head. That's what we always try to do really.' O'Brien plans to fire a three-pronged assault in his bid for an 11th Derby success, with Delacroix and The Lion In Winter set to be joined by Chester Vase winner Lambourn. Wayne Lordan and Colin Keane will ride the two horses passed over by Moore. Delacroix has been ridden positively in his last couple of races and O'Brien expects similar tactics to be employed this weekend, saying: 'I'd imagine so, that will be Ryan's decision if he rides him. He's a straightforward horse and uncomplicated we think, so I would imagine if he does ride him he'll probably ride him forward. He'll decide that himself when the gates open. 'His sister by Galileo (Grateful) got a mile and six (furlongs) well and as everybody knows he's by Dubawi. You never know until you do it, but we always thought there was a good chance that he would get the mile and a half.' While The Lion In Winter appears likely to line up as the Ballydoyle second string, O'Brien believes he will take a big step forward from his Dante performance. He added: 'We think he's made good progress since York, which we obviously thought he would. He was only just ready to start that day and you're probably better off in a trial knowing that you're going to come forward and everything goes wrong, rather than running in a trial when you think you're fit and everything goes right. 'He was a bit fresh and a bit behind fitness-wise but everything has gone well since, we got a run into him, it looked like he was going to get a mile and a quarter well, he got a little bit of interference in the straight and Ryan looked after him. If he hadn't got that he might have been third and if he hadn't have run a little bit keen early he might have been closer. 'This is only going to be his second run and you'd imagine whatever he does he's going to come forward again.' Minnie Hauk (right) winning the Cheshire Oaks (Nick Potts/PA) The trainer will also be triple handed in Friday's Betfred Oaks, with Cheshire Oaks winner Minnie Hauk, Lingfield Oaks Trial scorer Giselle and Musidora Stakes victor Whirl appearing three of the biggest threats to Charlie Appleby's 1000 Guineas heroine Desert Flower. 'I'd imagine Ryan will probably ride Minnie Hauk, but obviously that could change if he changes his mind tomorrow,' O'Brien revealed. 'We liked her last year, she had two runs and won the second time. She's a lovely, straightforward filly and we think she's come forward loads from Chester.' On the importance of the two Epsom Classics, the trainer said: 'They're obviously vital, it's where the whole thoroughbred breed is gauged. 'The Derby and the Oaks are the most important races for colts and fillies of the year and for the three-year-old generation.'
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
O'Brien still expects Delacroix to be Moore's Derby mount
Ryan Moore appears increasingly likely to side with Delacroix over stablemate The Lion In Winter in Saturday's Betfred Derby, with a final decision on his Epsom mount to be made before Wednesday lunchtime. The Lion In Winter spent the winter months at the head of ante-post lists for the premier Classic, and while an interrupted spring campaign and a sixth-place finish on his Dante Stakes comeback dented his reputation, the Sea The Stars colt has remained prominent in the betting. However, Delacroix — who has impressed in winning each of his two starts at Leopardstown so far this season — hardened as Derby favourite after trainer Aidan O'Brien said last week "I would imagine Ryan will find it hard not to ride him". On a media Zoom call hosted by the Jockey Club on Tuesday, O'Brien was again asked if he expected Moore to side with the son of Dubawi, and said: "I think so, it's very hard to know and obviously he doesn't have to make up his mind until 1pm tomorrow. "Ryan will always ride the horse he thinks he has the best chance, that's always been his way regardless and that's the way it has to be. "Ryan rides the horse we think is going to win, sometimes we're right and sometimes we're wrong, but he looks at their ability and tries to get on the one he thinks is going to win. "Obviously no one gets that right all the time, so we'll just have to see how it goes." On whether he would try to sway Moore in one direction or another, he added: "No, I think you have to be very clear thinking all the time, you have to make calculated decisions all the time and you can't let your heart rule your head. That's what we always try to do really." O'Brien plans to fire a three-pronged assault in his bid for an 11th Derby success, with Delacroix and The Lion In Winter set to be joined by Chester Vase winner Lambourn. Wayne Lordan and Colin Keane will ride the two horses passed over by Moore. Delacroix has been ridden positively in his last couple of races and O'Brien expects similar tactics to be employed this weekend, saying: "I'd imagine so, that will be Ryan's decision if he rides him. He's a straightforward horse and uncomplicated we think, so I would imagine if he does ride him he'll probably ride him forward. He'll decide that himself when the gates open. "His sister by Galileo (Grateful) got a mile and six (furlongs) well and as everybody knows he's by Dubawi. You never know until you do it, but we always thought there was a good chance that he would get the mile and a half." While The Lion In Winter appears likely to line up as the Ballydoyle second string, O'Brien believes he will take a big step forward from his Dante performance. He added: "We think he's made good progress since York, which we obviously thought he would. He was only just ready to start that day and you're probably better off in a trial knowing that you're going to come forward and everything goes wrong, rather than running in a trial when you think you're fit and everything goes right. "He was a bit fresh and a bit behind fitness-wise but everything has gone well since, we got a run into him, it looked like he was going to get a mile and a quarter well, he got a little bit of interference in the straight and Ryan looked after him. If he hadn't got that he might have been third and if he hadn't have run a little bit keen early he might have been closer. "This is only going to be his second run and you'd imagine whatever he does he's going to come forward again." The trainer will also be triple handed in Friday's Betfred Oaks, with Cheshire Oaks winner Minnie Hauk, Lingfield Oaks Trial scorer Giselle, and Musidora Stakes victor Whirl appearing three of the biggest threats to Charlie Appleby's 1000 Guineas heroine Desert Flower. "I'd imagine Ryan will probably ride Minnie Hauk, but obviously that could change if he changes his mind tomorrow," O'Brien revealed. "We liked her last year, she had two runs and won the second time. She's a lovely, straightforward filly and we think she's come forward loads from Chester." On the importance of the two Epsom Classics, the trainer said: "They're obviously vital, it's where the whole thoroughbred breed is gauged. "The Derby and the Oaks are the most important races for colts and fillies of the year and for the three-year-old generation."
