2008

MOONSTONE couldn’t have picked a more fitting moment to win the first race of her career and, with victory in the Darley Irish Oaks, she left Aidan O’Brien just one step away from a clean sweep of this year’s domestic classics. [O’Brien achieved the feat when winning the Group 1 The Irish Field St Leger with Septimus].

A truly incredible and unprecedented seventh straight Irish classic winner for O’Brien, the daughter of Dalakhani had yet to score in three starts coming into this race, but she nonetheless boasted compelling claims on account of her excellent second in last month’s Epsom Oaks.

Her victory saw her become the first maiden to win a classic since Bachelor Duke won the Irish 2000 Guineas four years ago, while she also went one place better than her half-sister L’Ancresse, runner-up in this race in 2003.

In his quest to annex yet another top-flight race in Europe, O’Brien supplied six of the 14 runners, and this half-dozen also provided the surprise package of the race in 66/1 outsider Ice Queen. Unsurprisingly, Moonstone was sent off the 2/1 favourite under Johnny Murtagh, with her sternest opposition expected to come from the Epsom third Katiyra.

The Ballydoyle contingent took up prominent positions from the second the stalls opened, and Moonstone was initially content to slot in behind her stablemates Perihelion, Adored and Ice Queen. The order remained relatively unchanged until the approach to the straight, where Adored took over the lead. Her spell in front was short-lived though, as Ice Queen moved through with purpose, and a huge upset loomed as she opened a useful advantage.

Short head

Moonstone, who was kept company by the French raider Gagnoa, had this move covered, and she was on terms with her stablemate passing the furlong marker.

However, Ice Queen proved a more than willing opponent and maintained her slender advantage. Under a right-handed drive, Ice Queen drifted left late on and slightly hampered Murtagh’s mount, but Moonstone was not to be denied and, in a bobbing finish, she carried the day by a short head, becoming the first maiden to win this race since Olwyn in 1977. Gagnoa was two lengths back in third, with Chinese White running a fine race to take fourth ahead of Katiyra.

‘‘It was a great race. You had two fillies and jockeys giving their all. Colm [O’Donoghue] was brilliant, and Johnny was his masterful self,’’ reflected O’Brien, who was winning this race for the third year in succession. ‘‘I didn’t mind which of them won, and it might have been Moonstone’s stamina that won it for her. She stays very well, while Ice Queen might be more of a mile and a quarter filly.

‘‘There was a nice, level pace to the race which suited her well, and Johnny was always confident on her. We’ll have a look at the Yorkshire Oaks with her now, it looks a race that will suit her. She’s only run four times, but she’s a seasoned filly who has done plenty of travelling already.’’

Fifth classic

This victory was a fifth Irish Oaks triumph for Murtagh, who commented: ‘‘The race worked out very well, my filly settled nicely and I was able to follow the others early on. Colm’s filly did work very well the other morning, and I felt that she could be one of the dangers; so I followed her through. My one was still a little green but she battled well.’’

Ice Queen continues to improve after her surprise win in a Cork Group 3 last month. Her jockey picked up a two-day suspension for careless riding in the incident where she drifted off the rail late on and came across Gagnoa. ‘‘She’s run a super race and we might look at dropping her back in trip next time,’’ said O’Brien. ‘‘The Nassau Stakes at Goodwood could be the race for her.’’

[Moonstone, bred by Peter Magnier at Brittas House Stud and sold to Demi O’Byrne for 700,000gns as a yearling, raced twice more without being placed.

At stud, she has proven to be a great success, and her first six named foals are all winners. They include, in foaling order, the British and Australian listed winner Nevis (Dansili); Irish listed winner Stubbs (Danehill Dancer), Group 3 winner and stakes produced, Words (Dansili), Group 3 winner and Group 1 Derby runner-up US Army Ranger (Galileo), and Group 3 winner Nelson (Frankel).

This year Moonstone foaled a filly by Justify (Scat Daddy)]

First classic success for Bolger

1983

LAST Saturday’s running of the Irish Guinness Oaks saw that particular sponsorship reach its majority, but the event was tinged with a degree of sadness in that the brewery firm terminated its association with the classic.

Jim Bolger broke the deadlock when his charge Give Thanks strode home an impressive winner from her main market rival, High Hawk, and Green Lucia. Oddly enough, the race had only two leaders, and both are trained by Bolger. Hocus Pocus led until nearing the last bend, and then Declan Gillespie swept Give Thanks into a few lengths lead.

High Hawk gave immediate chase, but even under the strongest of urgings could make no impression on the winner. This was a sixth success in seven races this season for Give Thanks, and indeed she is by no means finished yet. Training for seven years, Jim Bolger moved from Clonsilla to Carlow this season, and appropriately landed his first classic. Sligo-born Declan Gillespie, leading apprentice in 1973, has been stable jockey for six years, and the partnership has had a very high success rate in that period.

On a day when the attendance seemed somewhat below par for a classic fixture, Bolger and Gillespie completed a coveted double with Condell in the Royal Whip.

[Give Thanks did not win again. At stud she had five winners, the best of which was Al Shakr (Bahri), winner of the Group 2 (now Group 1) Falmouth Stakes and classic-placed in France. Give Thanks is grandam of the 1995 Group 1 1000 Guineas winner, Harayir (Gulch)]

Matt Duffy 85, not out

2008

To celebrate his 70th birthday, Matt Duffy was the subject of the Stewards’ Inquiry column in the paper.

Name: Matt Duffy

Position/job title: Breeder.

What’s your earliest racing memory? Santa Claus winning the Derby.

What’s the best book you have read (give reason)? The Tears Might Cease by Michael Farrell. I read it 50 years ago and still remember it, so it must be good.

What’s your favourite film (and reason)? Gone with The Wind. A great story set against the upheaval of the American Civil War.

When was the last time you were at a gig or concert? Scott Shipley at the Meath Arms, Aughrim.

What’s your worst habit? Ask my wife!

What was your first job? Never had a ‘proper’ job.

What’s your greatest ambition? To find myself in heaven before I know I’m dead!

Any penalty points on your driver’s licence? No.

What’s the most irritating part of your job? Nothing irritates me too much anymore.

If you could step into the shoes of someone for a day, who would it be? Sheikh Mohammed, but for only one day.

Who’s your favourite racehorse (and why)? Santa Claus. He sparked my interest in the thoroughbred.

Which is your favourite racecourse (and why)? Bellewstown; a lovely atmosphere.

Did you have a nickname growing up? Chick.

What’s the best piece of advice you have ever been given? Be kind. Most people you meet are having a hard time.

What’s the one thing in the world you are most afraid of? The dark, and always have been.

One word that describes you? Quiet