Latest news with #RockOfCashel
Powys County Times
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Rock Of Cashel gets his head in front for Navan victory
Rock Of Cashel relished the drop in grade to get back to winning ways in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race at Navan. Aidan O'Brien's three-year-old had been highly tried since winning a Galway maiden last season, running in the National Stakes and the Dewhurst last autumn. This term he has been campaigned in Group and Listed company before trying his hand in a handicap to no avail at Royal Ascot. Against just three runners in this conditions race, however, he took command early in the straight under Wayne Lordan to down Johnny Murtagh's 1-4 favourite Nautical Force by two lengths at 3-1. O'Brien's stable representative Chris Armstrong said: 'The way the race worked out, it was a lovely race for him. 'In fairness to him, he has been dropped in the deep end from word go this year. He ran with credit behind Henri Matisse and Delacroix and was beaten five to six lengths behind proper Group One horses. 'Obviously, Johnny's horse brought a high level of form here. Wayne gave him a lovely ride and the race worked out for him beautifully. 'He's a horse we thought of as a stakes horse after Galway last year as a two-year-old, so hopefully this will do his confidence good and we will bring him back up to a stakes race over a mile and a-quarter and see how he goes.' Murtagh had already been on the mark with newcomer Zuheila (5-2) in the Ardboyne Hotel Maiden. Ben Coen nursed the Aga Khan Studs-owned three-year-old into the closing stages before getting down to business to beat Ger Lyons' Washington Street by half a length. Coen said: 'She's a nice, big filly and bred to have a bit of speed. She has been doing things nice at home. 'You can see why she hasn't got to the track until now, she's a big girl but she did that nicely. She had a good look when she hit the front, but hopefully she can stay improving. 'She was (doing all her best work late) – she was green running down the hill and, when I hit the rising ground, she came good.'
RTÉ News
13-07-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Rock Of Cashel scores at Navan
Rock Of Cashel relished the drop in grade to get back to winning ways in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race at Navan. Aidan O'Brien's three-year-old had been highly tried since winning a Galway maiden last season, running in the National Stakes and the Dewhurst last autumn. This term he has been campaigned in Group and Listed company before trying his hand in a handicap to no avail at Royal Ascot. Against just three runners in this conditions race, however, he took command early in the straight under Wayne Lordan to down Johnny Murtagh's 1-4 favourite Nautical Force by two lengths at 3-1. O'Brien's stable representative Chris Armstrong said: "The way the race worked out, it was a lovely race for him. "In fairness to him, he has been dropped in the deep end from word go this year. He ran with credit behind Henri Matisse and Delacroix and was beaten five to six lengths behind proper Group One horses. "Obviously, Johnny's horse brought a high level of form here. Wayne gave him a lovely ride and the race worked out for him beautifully. "He's a horse we thought of as a stakes horse after Galway last year as a two-year-old, so hopefully this will do his confidence good and we will bring him back up to a stakes race over a mile and a-quarter and see how he goes." Rock Of Cashel makes most for team Ballydoyle in the the @IrishEBF_ Race 🏆 — Navan Racecourse (@NavanRacecourse) July 13, 2025 Murtagh had already been on the mark with newcomer Zuheila in the Ardboyne Hotel Maiden. Ben Coen nursed the Aga Khan Studs-owned three-year-old into the closing stages before getting down to business on the 5-2 shot to beat Ger Lyons' Washington Street by half a length. Coen said: "She's a nice, big filly and bred to have a bit of speed. She has been doing things nice at home. "You can see why she hasn't got to the track until now, she's a big girl but she did that nicely. She had a good look when she hit the front, but hopefully she can stay improving. "She was (doing all her best work late) – she was green running down the hill and, when I hit the rising ground, she came good."
Leader Live
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Kind draw key to Gosden French Guineas hopes with Detain
The son of Wootton Bassett impressed on the all-weather at two before a below-par display in the Doncaster mud rounded off his juvenile campaign. But after a winning return at Chelmsford in the Cardinal Stakes, the talented colt is now back on the Classic trail and is one of 21 contenders to stand their ground for the ParisLongchamp Classic. 'He's in good form and is French Guineas-bound,' said Gosden, who trains the colt alongside son Thady. 'That's where we plan to send him, and I think the track will suit him.' He added: 'The only thing about the French Guineas is, well just please draw a single number, because if you get from 10 out to 16 or 18, you may as well trot back. 'I used to walk the track every year with Frankie (Dettori) and if you ever stand at the start over a mile at Longchamp, you'll see what happens to the track, it immediately turns right downhill, and you have to stay straight. Those on the inside have already taken two lengths out of you and it can be a problem, the mile start at Longchamp.' Detain might not be the only Juddmonte-owned colt crossing the Channel for action in the French capital, with Andrew Balding's impressive Greenham Stakes winner Jonquil still in the mix. 'Hopefully the rain stays away from Longchamp and he seems in good form,' said Balding. 'We were expecting a good run at Newbury and he's been working like a high-class horse.' Other potential challengers from the UK include Aomori City from Charlie Appleby's in-form team, Charlie Fellowes' Luther – who was not far behind Detain at Chelmsford – and Peter Chapple-Hyam's Harvey. Brian Meehan's Rashabar misses the race, however. Aidan O'Brien has left in Rock Of Cashel, Henri Matisse, Officer, a winner at the Curragh on Monday, Serengeti and Camille Pissarro, while Jessica Harrington's Hotazhell is another potential runner. There are 16 left in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, with O'Brien able to choose from Bedtime Story, Exactly, Merrily and Heavens Gate. Ollie Sangster, second and third in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket, has left in Celestial Orbit, with Zanzoun another big player for the Gosdens and Fellowes set to field Shes Perfect. Vertical Blue and Zarigana form part of the home team.
