THREE STELLAR GROUP ONE LINE UPS CONFIRMEDFOR THE TATTERSALLS IRISH GUINEAS FESTIVAL

The Tattersalls Irish Guineas Festival takes centre stage at The Curragh this weekend, headlined by the Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas, the Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas and the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup.

Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas

On Saturday the colts take centre stage with nine declared for Ireland’s first Classic of the season – the Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas.

QIPCO 2000 Guineas runner up Native Trail, purchased at the Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale for 210,000 guineas by owner Godolphin from Oak Tree Farm, is the leading British challenger. Winner of Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes as well as the Group 1 National Stakes at the course last year, the European Champion 2YO returns to The Curragh for trainer Charlie Appleby and jockey William Buick.

The Qatar Racing-owned Buckaroo was an impressive four lengths winner of the Listed Tetrarch Stakes over course and distance last time out. The son of Fastnet Rock is aiming to give Joseph O’Brien his first Irish Classic success as a trainer. The Kilkenny handler was a winner of the Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas three times during his riding career.

Wexford Native, trained by Jim Bolger, the Shelia Lavery-trained New Energy, and Michael O’Callaghan’s Malex, finished second, third and fourth respectively in the Tetrarch Stakes behind Buckaroo. The trio are also set to line up in tomorrow’s Classic.

Ger Lyons won this race in 2020 and he will be hoping Group 2 winner Atomic Jones, purchased for 95,000 guineas by Gaelic Bloodstock from Yeomanstown Stud at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, can land him his second Irish 2,000 Guineas success.

Aidan O’Brien is aiming for a record 12 wins in the race with Ivy League. The Dermot Weld-trained Duke De Sessa, a Group 3 winner last year, and Imperial Fighter, trained by Andrew Balding, complete the field. 

Tattersalls Gold Cup

Sunday’s Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup is headed by John & Thady Gosden’s Lord North. The three-time Group 1 winner was last seen when dead heating for first place in the Group 1 Dubai Turf at Meydan in March. The six-year-old is one of two British challengers, alongside Alenquer, representing the in-form William Haggas stable. Purchased at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, the Group 2 winner Alenquer, broke the track record at Lingfield on his seasonal debut before a narrow defeat in the Group 1 Sheema Classic at Meydan.

Purchased at Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale for 60,000 guineas by trainer Joseph O’Brien and Aiden ‘Mouse’ O’Ryan, State Of Rest made it three consecutive Group 1 victories on three different continents when landing the Group 1 Prix Ganay last time out. The globetrotting star now looks to add the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup to his resume.

They are joined by Helvic Dream and Broome, first and second respectively in last year’s Tattersalls Gold Cup. Purchased at the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale for €12,000 by Peter Nolan Bloodstock from Portlester Stud, the Noel Meade-trained Helvic Dream will aim for consecutive wins under jockey Colin Keane.

Tattersalls purchase and multiple Group 1 winner Broome is one of two runners for Aidan O’Brien, the Ballydoyle-handler also represented by High Definition. Wayne Lordan takes the ride on Broome, with Ryan Moore set to partner High Definition.

Last year’s Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas winner Mac Swiney, trained by Jim Bolger, and the Mick Halford-trained Group 3 winner Bear Story complete the field.

Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas

Later in the day attention turns to the fillies’ Classic. Aidan O’Brien saddles four runners in the Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas, led by QIPCO 1000 Guineas third Tuesday. The three-year-old daughter of Galileo is joined by stablemates History, purchased at Tattersalls, alongside Concert Hall and Lullaby.

Homeless Songs lines up for trainer Dermot Weld and owner Moyglare Stud after winning a Group 3 Leopardstown trial last month, the reopposing Agartha was second behind her that day for trainer Joseph O’Brien.

Purchased at the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale for £42,000 by trainer Fozzie Stack and De Burgh Equine, Hermana Estrella steps up to Group 1 company after winning a Group 3 on debut at her only start last year.

They are joined by two British runners – Lael Stable’s Purplepay and Qatar Racing’s Mise En Scene. The former was previously trained in France before joining the William Haggas stable in Newmarket.

Other notable runners in the 14-runner field include Stars Girl Aalmal, trained by Cheltenham Gold Cup winning trainer Henry De Bromhead, and Ger Lyons’ Listed winner Panama Red, purchased at Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale.

The next sale to take place at Tattersalls’ Park Paddocks in Newmarket is the Tattersalls May NH Sale on Thursday 26th May. This will be followed by the Tattersalls Online June Sale on Friday 10th June. Primely placed before Royal Ascot, the sale provides the perfect platform for horses set to run at the prestigious meeting. For more information, please visit www.tattersalls.com.