Massive weekend for clients in Gr1 Guineas and Gr2 Lanwades

23 May 2016

It was a massive weekend for our clients and family at the Curragh. On Saturday, Patrick Burns of Newlands House Stud bred a double across the cards by Fast Company, both were trained by Willie McCreery and ridden by Billy Lee. First up was Downforce (Fast Company ex Spinning Ruby) in the 6 furlong BAM handicap. He maintained his steep upward curve following a recent Sligo score and here Downforce was dipping his toes in much deeper waters but was always travelling sweetly and brushed aside Penny Pepper (Fast Company ex Evening Time) inside the final furlong, before pulling right away to record a three-and-a-half-length success. McCreery said: "He's still immature but he has a grand way of going and he settled in well. He has plenty of pace for five furlongs, especially on that soft ground. He's in again at Gowran on Wednesday over seven furlongs. We'll see what yer man (handicapper) does, and also the man above with the ground. It's nice to get a winner on Guineas day."

 

The second success of the day came in the Gr.2 Lanwades Stud Stakes as Devonshire (Fast Company ex Nova Tor) shone. Previously 3rd in last year’s 1,000 Guineas over this track and trip last May, Devonshire was then 2nd in the Listed Vincent O’Brien Ruby Stakes over an extended mile at Killarney and 4th in the Gr.3 Dance Design Fillies Stakes over 9 furlongs at the Curragh. Getting a well deserved first black type win in the Listed Listowel Stakes also over the latter trip in September. Devonshire then ran a highly respectable race coming 2nd to Queen Blossom in the Gr.3 Park Express Stakes. Settled in 2nd throughout the early stages, Devonshire was generous when asked the question by Billy Lee with a quarter-mile remaining, and despite Irish Rookie’s efforts refused to buckle in the run to the line. “Billy counts for a lot on her, as he knows her so well, trainer Willie McCreery said, “He gave her a lovely ride and the bit of cover helped. We said that we would not let it turn into a sprint. She’s as tough as old boots and I think the weight of nine stone 12 pounds beat her the last day. There’s not much of her but she is all heart. I purposefully didn’t put her in any race at Royal Ascot as it turns up firm there so there are a few options in America that may suit her where she would only carry 8 stone 8 pounds. There is no point going over there, as she is far more effective with ease in the ground. The dam, who has a 2-year-old full brother to the winner named Veneer Of Charm (in training with Michael O’Callaghan) hails from the family of the Gr.3 Laurel Futurity winner River Traffic.

 

Sunday was the jewel in the crown of a fantastic weekend. Peter Kelly of Ballybin Stud and for Brian Duffy who were both involved in the breeding of the Gr.1 Tattersalls 1,000 Guineas winner Jetsetting (Fast Company ex Mean Lae). The TDN reported that, “the Curragh became a theatre of dreams for the little guys of racing on Sunday as Jetsetting managed to do the unthinkable and outrun Minding (Galileo).” 9th behind Ballydoyle’s best in the QIPCO 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket 3 weeks ago, the bay who had previously taken the Gr.3 Leopardstown 1,000 Guineas Trial Stakes over 7 furlongs on heavy ground was always in the vanguard and after being committed early by Shane Foley, kept digging to ward off the favourite by a head. “It’s a dream come through”, her rider said. “She ran a blinder at Newmarket (in Gr.1 QIPCO 1,000 Guineas). The ground was way too firm for her there, but I’ve been doing a rain dance all week and I’m glad it came. She’s just so tough and genuine. The Curragh suited her – soft ground and a straight mile – perfect.” Following her purchase by John Kilbride at the Tattersalls Horses In Training Sale, Adrian Keatley sent her straight to Chantilly for the Listed Prix Herod in November and she upgraded her profile significantly finishing 3rd to Gr.1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches scorer La Cressonniere (Le Harve) when meeting trouble in running in that 7 furlong contest, which incredibly featured the winners of the French and Irish Guineas tricast. After she had broken her maiden over an extended mile at Cork in March, the bay made a leap forward next time to outgun Now Or Never and the eventual Qipco 1,000 Guineas 3rd Alice Springs in the Leopardstown 1,000 Guineas Trial. Jetsetting’s dam is out of black-type winner Plume Rouge, a granddaughter of the Gr.2 Ribbensdale Stakes heroine Miss Boniface. Mean Lae’s two full siblings to Jetsetting are both fillies and this success will bring huge significance to the future of the two-year-old and yearling. Congratulations to the owners Mr. Donal Finnan (Downforce), Goldophin (Devonshire) and Equine Growth Partners Syndicate (Jetsetting). 

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