Curragh report: unbeaten Statuette lands Airlie Stud Stakes
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Tue 5 Dec 2023
Aidan O’Brien expressed his delight with Statuette as she took her record to two from two with a determined victory for Group Two honours in the Airlie Stud Stakes at the Curragh.
So impressive first time out, the daughter of American Triple Crown hero Justify was more workmanlike on this occasion.
Sat just off the pace set by Matilda Picotte and Badb, Ryan Moore started to organise his mount over a furlong out and once the 4-6 favourite hit top gear there was little doubt about the winner, even though the margin of victory was only three-quarters of a length from 25-1 chance Badb.
“She’s a very big filly and we were only training her three-quarters ready because we had our eye on the last part of the season,” said O’Brien.
“With that type of filly if you train them too hard you wouldn’t have her at the end of the season when you want her.
“She’s 16 2 ½ (hands high), for a two-year-old filly. We were delighted, we were a little bit worried when the ground got soft that she could have got very tired but obviously just her class got her through.
Ryan Moore gives Nick Luck an interesting debrief at the Curragh
“She travelled lovely and Ryan nursed her, she won lovely in the end and we were very happy.
“She has a beautiful mind, great stride and an unbelievable physique. We think the Justifys are something to look forward to.
“She’s a sister to Tenebrism but she’d carry her on her back as she’s a massive big powerful filly this one.
“She’s probably not as precocious as normal for a filly running at this time of year, but she has so much class she was able to run and do it rather than us making her do it.
“When she was able to do it we didn’t like stopping her, but at the same time we weren’t chasing her in any way at home.”
Coral and Betfair make Statuette 10-1 for the 1000 Guineas and when asked if she could be a Guineas filly, O’Brien added: “We think she is. She’s a filly with a lot of class and you’d imagine she’d have no problem getting a mile.
“The Moyglare, the Cheveley Park, all those races are there for her. Obviously we have the filly that won at Ascot (Meditate) as well. The lads will probably keep them apart.”
Proud And Regal looks name to remember
Galileo coplt Proud And Regal (stall 12) strikes on debut for Donnacha O'Brien
Proud And Regal looked a colt with a bright future after a winning debut in the opener.
Sent off at 16-1 for the Barronstown Stud Irish EBF Maiden over seven furlongs, he was niggled along a touch three furlongs from home but stayed on particularly strongly inside the furlong, alwats holding runner-up Tiverton to score by three-quarters of a length.
“I thought he was a nice horse, but he was kind of sleeping at home. He’s quite green and I said I’d give him a run and he’d improve a lot for it,” said O’Brien.
“We knew he had ability and it’s nice to see him going and doing that.
“He’s not a horse I’ve absolutely drilled at home, he’s a Galileo and you like to take them along slowly. In fairness to him he did well today.
“We’ll take him back and have a look at the programme, but I’d imagine he’ll go to stakes company next.”
Donnacha O'Brien speaks to Nick Luck at the Curragh
O’Brien also had news of his Irish Derby runner-up Piz Badile, who left a below-par Epsom effort behind in proving best of the rest behind the impressive Westover.
“He’s very good and came out of it perfect. It was a great run and it was nice to see him bounce back after a disappointing effort at Epsom,” O’Brien said.
“Obviously the winner was very good, but it was a good run.
“He’s got plenty of options and we haven’t decided anything yet. I have to speak to the owners and we’ll come up with a plan.
“He’s the kind of horse, as he strengthens, you’d be able to think about stepping him back to 10 (furlongs). I think 10 or 12 is no problem to him.”
Ano Syra prevails in Rockingham
Ano Syra strikes in the heavy rain to land the Rockingham
Ano Syra (9-2) landed a significant pot with victory in the €100,000 Paddy Power Rockingham Handicap over five furlongs, prevailing by half a length for trainer John Feane and apprentice jockey Jamie Powell.
“Jamie has ridden five winners for me now from eight rides with two seconds and a fourth. He’s doing well for me at the moment anyway,” said Feane.
“We got her before Christmas, Charlotte and James (Musgrave, owners) were kind enough to send her to us, and she’s kept improving. In fairness to Kevin Manning he’s done a lot of work with her as well.
“We thought she’d get a bit of black type in the future and we’d plot a course through the year with her.
“We were a little bit worried about the ground but she was brave, she has a big heart.
“I know she had a light weight, but she was a three-year-old taking on older sprinters. She travelled really well and she’s just a good filly.”
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