THREE STELLAR GROUP ONE LINE UPS CONFIRMED FOR THE TATTERSALLS IRISH GUINEAS FESTIVAL

The Tattersalls Irish Guineas Festival takes centre stage at the Curragh this weekend, headlined by the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas, the Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas and the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup.   

Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas  

On Saturday the colts take top billing, with eight declared for Ireland’s first Classic of the season – the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas.  

Trainer Richard Hannon will saddle two runners with strong chances including the market leader and QIPCO 2,000 Guineas runner up Rosallion who was a prolific juvenile performer winning three of his four starts including the Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at ParisLongchamp before returning this season in the British Classic on seasonal debut.  

His stablemate Haatem, purchased at Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale for 27,000 guineas by Peter and Ross Doyle from Sherbourne Lodge Stud, will also line up for the Hannon team.

A Group 2 winner as a two-year-old, this talented son of Phoenix of Spain was a decisive winner of the Group 3 Craven Stakes on his seasonal return and put in a good effort to finish fourth in the QIPCO 2,000 Guineas.  

Rosallion will be the mount of Sean Levey who told Tattersalls: “Rosallion is in great form, he came out of Newmarket very well and we’d be confident he’ll run a massive race at the Curragh. Ground is perfect for him, small field and happy with the draw so fingers crossed - he deserves to be favourite.”  

Richard Hannon added: “I’m very happy with Rosallion going into the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas, as I am with Haatem. Both came out of their races at Newmarket absolutely fine. That was Rosallion’s first run of the year so he will have sharpened up for that and he think he is spot on for tomorrow – outstanding chance!”  

Aidan O’Brien will be represented by three exciting runners as he bids for a record 13 wins in the race.

River Tiber, a Book 1 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale purchase for 480,000 guineas by M V Magnier & White Birch Farm from Pier House Stud, will make his seasonal debut in the race off the back of a successful juvenile sprint campaign headlined by his victory in the Group 2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot. Also lining up for the Ballydoyle team are Breeder’s Cup Juvenile Turf Winner Unquestionable and runner up in the race Mountain Bear who are also making their seasonal reappearances in this Classic contest.  

Trainer Joseph O’Brien will be hoping Atlantic Coast can return to his promising two-year-old form following a disappointing seasonal return at Group level. He capped off last season with a Group 3 win in the Killavullan Stakes.  

The Andy Oliver stable will be represented by the progressive Bright Stripes who was a Listed winner over course and distance when last seen. He was purchased at Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale for 22,500 guineas by Andy Oliver from Lodge Park Stud. Take Me To Church completes the field for trainer Jack Davison.    

Tattersalls Gold Cup

Sunday’s Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup sees a whole host of Tattersalls representatives, with six of the eight runners going to post offered in the Tattersalls sales ring. The field is headed by Aidan O’Brien’s Auguste Rodin. The five-time Group 1 winner was a Classic hero last year taking both the Epsom Derby and Irish Derby, before capping off his season with victories in the Group 1 Champions Stakes and Group 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita.

Connections will be hoping he can bounce back from his disappointing seasonal reappearance in the Group 1 Sheema Classic at Meydan in March.  

Amo Racing will be represented by two runners in the race, both trained by Adrian Murray.Elegant Man looks an unexposed progressive type who comes into the race with three wins from four starts, a winner at Newcastle on All Weather Finals Day, when last seen.  

His stablemate Crypto Force was a Tattersalls foal, yearling and most recently Tattersalls Guineas Breeze Up purchase for 160,000 guineas by Michael O’Callaghan from Tally-Ho Stud. A Group 2 winner as a two-year-old, the son of Time Test comes into the race fit following two Group race engagements this season.  

White Birch comes into the race in top form for trainer John Joseph Murphy following two victories at Group level this season including The Group 2 Mooresbridge Stakes over course and distance earlier this month. The son of Ulysees was a 75,000 guineas Tattersalls Foal Sale purchase by Tally-Ho Stud from Chevely Park Stud.

His jockey Colin Keane told Tattersalls: “I’m looking forward to riding White Birch at the weekend in the Tattersalls Gold Cup, he seems to have matured a lot from three to four. He’s improved from run to run this year and I thought he was a very good winner the last day in the Group 2. He obviously ran a blinder in the Epsom Derby last year in Group 1 company, so I think he’s earned his right to have another crack at a Group 1. He seems to be going there in great form and he loves the Curragh - he’s ticking a lot of boxes and we’re very hopeful of a big run.”  

Joseph G Murphy will saddle Lord Massusus in the race who finished second to White Birch when last seen. A dual Group 3 winner in his own right, he has been a consistent performer for connections in classy company.  

Lumiere Rock lines up on seasonal debut for trainer Joseph O’Brien. A 55,000 guineas purchase at Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale by Rockfield Farm from Castletown Stud, the daughter of Saxon Warrior is a Group 2 winner over course and distance and Group 1 placed.  

Group 3 winner and Tattersalls purchase Hans Anderson is Aidan O’Brien’s sole representative in the race. Trainer Johnny Murtagh completes the field with Group 3 winner and Tattersalls purchase Mashhoor.    

Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas  

Later in the day attention turns to the fillies’ Classic with 14 heading to post. Aidan O’Brien saddles four runners in the Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas, led by the emphatic Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac winner Opera Singer. The three-year-old daughter of Justify is joined by Group placed stablemates Buttons, Everlasting and Pearls And Rubies.    

Vespertilio lines up for trainer Willie McCreery with an array of Group level form including winning the Group 2 Debutante Stakes at the Curragh last year.She looks to have trained on this season, finishing just half a length into third in the Group 1 Poule des Pouliches earlier this month. She faces fellow rival Fallen Angel once again having finished runner up to the Clipper owned and Karl Burke trained daughter of Too Darn Hot in the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes at the curragh last season.  

The aforementioned impressive Group 1 juvenile winner Fallen Angel failed to feature in the QIPCO 1000 Guineas on seasonal return. Her jockey Daniel Tudhope told Tattersalls: “I sat on her on Tuesday morning for the first time since Newmarket and she feels great. She’s well in herself and ready to go again. Obviously, she’s a course winner there which gives us a bit more confidence, we’re hopeful we can see a completely different filly this time than we did at Newmarket – I don’t feel she handled the track that day but she needs to bounce back from that run. Fingers crossed, she’s all set to go and I’m looking forward to it.”  

Trainer Paddy Twomey will saddle two runners, both lining up for their fourth career starts .A Lilac Rolla comes into the race unbeaten fresh from her Group 3 success at Leopardstown last month while Purple Lily, notably the choice of stable jockey Billy Lee, was beaten a half-length into second at Group 3 level last start despite the jockey losing his iron in the closing stages of the race.  

The second British contender Skellet lines up for Ralph Beckett on seasonal return, beaten a neck in the Group 3 Oh So Sharp Stakes when last seen in October.  

Trainer Dermot Weld will send intriguing runner Azada to post for just her second start having been successful on debut at the end of last season on heavy ground. Jessica Harrington’s Bluedrum is another juvenile debutante winner lining up after a recent run in Group company where she failed to hit the frame at the Curragh over seven furlongs.  

15,000 guineas Tattersalls Somerville Yearling Sale purchase Alpheratz put in a strong performance early this season when just touched off in the Group 3 Park Express Stakes.  

Jim Bolger’s Finsceal Luas and Ken Condon’s Queen Of Thunder both line up as maidens - connections will be hoping both fillies can land a first career win in the prestigious Classic.  

The next sale to take place at Tattersalls’ Park Paddocks in Newmarket is the Tattersalls July Sale, Europe’s premier midsummer sale, which takes place from 9th to the 12th July. For more information, please visit www.tattersalls.com.