Great Barrier Reef impresses with winning Curragh debut
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Sun 19 Apr 2026
Great Barrier Reef lived up to his tall reputation with a runaway debut success at the Curragh on Sunday.
The Ballydoyle dogs have been barking the name of this son of No Nay Never in recent weeks and he was a prohibitively priced 4-9 favourite for his competitive introduction in the Visit The Irish National Stud And Gardens Irish EBF Maiden under Ryan Moore.
Odds-on backers will have had few concerns, with Aidan O’Brien’s chestnut colt travelling with ease at all stages and rocketing six lengths clear of the chasing pack without being fully extended. Ischgl, a previously unraced 100-1 shot, was best of the rest in second.
O’Brien said: “We’re delighted. He’s never been away or asked anything so he was obviously green. You’d have to be very happy with him.
“He was always lovely but he was never asked anything. When they are like that you don’t know what’s going to happen really.”
On a potential trip to Royal Ascot, the trainer added: “He’d obviously have to have another run before as he was very green.
“He’s by No Nay Never, he’s an influence for speed, but we always thought he was a six-furlong horse and would get seven.
“We always viewed him as a horse that would turn into a Coventry/Dewhurst type horse.”
Joseph O’Brien has Royal Ascot in mind for Star Prospect after he lived up to his name in the Arizona Blaze Standing At The Irish National Stud Irish EBF Race.
A first two-year-old runner of the season for the Owning Hill handler, the 9-2 shot travelled strongly under Joey Sheridan and picked up well when a gap opened up between his rivals to score by a length and a quarter from Carry The Flag.
“It’s always nice when your first two-year-old runner runs well. He had been showing plenty of natural speed,” said O’Brien.
“He was green enough and off the bridle but I thought he was very impressive to the line.
“I don’t think he’d be going further than five (furlongs) at the moment and I think he’s a horse that’s made for the Norfolk (at Royal Ascot) – it’s all speed.
“I think he’ll have a run before now and then in something like the First Flier here (May 4).”
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