....Girls aloud

THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT COVID-19 has created many challenges for the racing and breeding sectors of our industry. This has been particularly true in Ireland where a more conservative Government approach than in the UK has resulted in a slower relaxation of restrictions and return to normal life.

Our industries in Ireland and the UK have worked to find creative solutions to many problems, such as relocating sales and the creation of online sales. Facilities were also put in place to provide assistance to foreign runners – locally based experienced handlers were assigned to look after UK runners in Ireland, while special enclaves were established at Cheltenham and Punchestown to allow staff and connections to travel with horses.

Despite this creative problem solving, there were still many concerns on the run-up to Irish Champions Weekend that it would not be possible for crowds to return to the racetrack, particularly after only 1,000 spectators were allowed to attend each day of the Galway Festival, despite many petitions to the government, as well as the safe return of spectators to racing in the UK and to other sports in Ireland, such as GAA.

Thankfully, due to the hard work of so many in the industry, to the excellent record for disease control within Irish racing and to the wonderful work of Dr Jennifer Pugh, the restrictions were lifted to allow crowds of 4,000 at Leopardstown on Saturday and to The Curragh on Sunday.

The weekend promised so much great racing action – there was palpable excitement among Irish racing fans, the tickets for the weekend were hot property and sold out quickly.

The racing did not disappoint and delivered top class results, race after race, and right from the get-go.

The plaudits of the first day went to trainers Ger Lyons with four winners and Jessica Harrington with three, only Aidan O’Brien broke their run of dominance with a magnificent performance from his Irish Champion Stakes and five-time Group 1 winner St Mark’s Basilica (Siyouni).

Lyons’ amazing day started with a two-year-old Listed race win with Panama Red (Showcasing) followed up by Group 2 success with Atomic Jones (Wootton Bassett) and a Group 3 win with Camora (Zoffany), finishing off with a premier handicap win with Masen (Kingman).

Harrington got a first Group 1 winner for Shalaa with No Speak Alexander’s success in the Matron Stakes, while Real Appeal (Sidestep) in the Group 2 Boomerang Mile and Ever Present in a premier handicap gave her the three wins.

The weekend had started with a bang for the Harrington team, but the “Grande Dame” of Irish racing was not done with by any means and a tremendous training performance saw her produce Discoveries to win the Moyglare Stud Stakes (G1) at The Curragh on Sunday. This impressive filly is a Niarchos family homebred full-sister to Alpha Centuri and a daughter of the late Mastercraftsman, what a loss he is to the stallion ranks.

ANOTHER MAJOR HIGHLIGHT of the afternoon was the last Irish Classic of the season, the Irish St Leger. Following on from an exciting performance by Hurricane Lane (Frankel) for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby in the English counterpart in Doncaster the day before, the Irish edition had a lot to live up to, but boy did it deliver.

The ecstatic winning trainer Johnny Murtagh could be heard across The Curragh plains with his now-famous catchphrase “I love this game!” as Sonnyboyliston landed the knockout punch and handed the former jockey his first Classic as a trainer.

It was also a first Classic for a delighted jockey Ben Coen, who has been flying high this season.

The English raiders did get a look in at The Curragh and Native Trail (Oasis Dream) made it a weekend to remember for Godolphin’s trainer Charlie Appleby when adding to his Group 1 tally for the year in the National Stakes.

Other exciting performances were in high supply at The Curragh with a Group 1 winner for trainer Eddie Lynam courtesy of Romantic Proposal’s (Raven’s Pass) Flying Five success, a premier handicap success for trainer Charles O’Brien with Big Gossey (Guitafan), the Group 2 Blandford Stakes going to Paddy Twomey and Team Valour with La Petite Coco (Ruler Of The World), Michael O’Callaghan won the Tattersalls Super Auction Stakes with King X J (Cotai Glory), while the handicap went to Joseph O’Brien and Max Mayhem (New Bay).

Speaking of exciting performances, two of Irish jockeys showed some real hidden talents when performing poignant solos with the Newbridge Gospel Choir, Declan McDonagh and Donagh O’Connor singing as part of a moving tribute to the late Pat Smullen.

It was a beautiful performance of the classic “Stand By Me” and the two jockeys were backed up by a large group of Pat’s former weighing room colleagues. I think that Pat would have gotten a real kick from the tribute – but I am sure he would also have made a joke or two about the possible formation of an all-jockey Boy Band!