Bahrain Turf Club Desmond Stakes: big-race guide and tip

The one thing you never want from a University education is a “Desmond Tutu” (a 2:2) to you and me, but the G3 Bahrain Turf Club Desmond Stakes allays any fears regarding quality with an excellent field assembled for the mile event.

Recent winners of the contest include the late, great Gordon Lord Byron (2013), Madhmoon (2020) and Boundless Ocean (2023) and this year’s event once again has a number of intriguing runners.

You can watch the race live from Leopardstown on Racing TV at 6.05pm. I fortunately avoided a “Desmond” at University when studying Politics and International Relations. What better way for an education like that to tee up my runner-by-runner guide below.

Trainer: Joseph O’Brien

Formerly trained in Germany, she captured a Group Three event at the Curragh on her Irish debut over heavy ground, keeping on in good style. She has not been disgraced in three runs since, latterly when filling third in a Group Three contest at Gowran Park over nine furlongs. She has form over further than this trip and is not discounted.

Trainer: Hilary McLoughlin

Stacks of handicap company and returned to winning ways at Killarney last time out, but this demands much more.

Trainer: Ger Lyons

Good fifth in a valuable handicap at the Galway Festival, but has floundered somewhat in a Listed and Group Three event this term. He is yet to win in two starts over a mile and is arguably better over seven furlongs.

Trainer: Adrian McGuinness

Group scorer over the course and distance last term, but has struggled to land a blow in three starts this term and hard to make a case for his chances given his current form.

Trainer: Ger Lyons

Took a massive step forward when landing a handicap at Royal Ascot, displaying a really smart turn of foot to run out an impressive winner. This trip and better ground clearly suit and she is folly to ignore given she is still on the upgrade.

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien

Created a strong impression when scoring on his debut at the track last term, before disappointing when only sixth in the Chesham. He has suffered defeat in a brace of Group Three events this term and was reported by Aidan O’Brien to possibly be sold to Hong Kong. It is therefore interesting that connections have decided to keep faith and the return to a mile may suit. However, he has looked outpaced in two runs over longer trips this term.

Trainer: Joseph Murphy

Moved through the ranks with two wins earlier this term, but has ultimately come up short in Listed and Group Two company the last twice. Only a three-year-old, there is conceivably the possibility of more progress, but she can take a keen hold in her races and will need to settle better.

Trainer: Johnny Murtagh

Opened his account at the second time of asking at Naas, but the form of both this success and his debut fourth have taken plenty of knocks. There was lots to like from his Naas victory, including the level of professionalism he showed to put the race to bed close home, but this clearly commands a major step forward. He is undoubtedly the most unexposed runner in the field, but he could be booked for a supporting role here.

Trainer: Joseph O’Brien

Posted a career-best when gamely landing a Listed event at Chantilly in July. Only beaten a length in a Group Three contest at Ascot last time out, she was keen on that occasion and she clearly denied a clear run at a crucial stage entering the final furlong. Ultimately, she wasn’t good enough to go on and win the event, but her momentum was badly stopped. That was still a fine effort and given she is flexible regarding ground conditions, she is towards the top of the shortlist.

Plenty of this field have bags of experience, with three of the nine also being course and distance winners. Villanova Queen is potentially open to more improvement from her Royal Ascot win, whilst the unexposed Shayzann is hard to gauge. Goldana is a solid yardstick, with similar comments applying to Alfred Munnings who is not discounted as team Ballydoyle keep the faith. However, Thornbrook has looked a filly still on the upgrade this season and she was unlucky when third at Ascot last time out. She is taken to come out on top here.

1 Thornbrook 2 Goldana 3 Alfred Munnings