THE Euphrates was the highlight of a fabulous four-timer for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore at the Curragh last Sunday, when the Frankel colt landed the lion’s share of the €600,000 Irish Cesarewitch.

The sole three-year-old in the field was well-supported ahead of the two-miler and went to post 7/2 favourite.

Moore was soon in the box seat and led with under half a mile to run. His mount stuck on well in the closing stages to hold the late charge of A Piece Of Heaven by half a length.

The winner came into the race having finished fourth in the Irish St Leger a fortnight previously and O’Brien said afterwards: “He was very well handicapped, he ended up on a good mark. His Leger run was an unbelievable run.

“Ryan gave him a great ride, he got a great position and was controlling it. He’s an improving horse, I’d say he’s a Cup horse. He stays two and he has a bit of class, he travelled very strong at all stages. He’s had a busy time and he’s probably a next year horse.”

Made all

The 2/5 shot Shackleton justified his short price in the opening Trainor Stone And Tile Irish EBF Maiden with a convincing all-the-way success.

Moore asked the Camelot colt for an effort two furlongs from home and asserted in the closing stages to post a two-and-a-quarter length win in the nine-furlong contest.

“We’re delighted with him. We were disappointed he got beat the last day, but obviously Joseph’s horse (Tennessee Stud) ran a big race in the Beresford yesterday,” said O’Brien.

“Ryan was happy today, he went forward and kept it simple. He’s a horse that will get a trip and we could look at the mile-and-a-quarter race in Saint-Cloud for him.”

Aftermath also went to post odds-on in the Fitzpatricks Mercedes-Benz Irish EBF Maiden and was an easy winner at the finish.

Moore drove his mount to the front under two furlongs out and the 5/6 shot really stretched clear in the closing stages to post a comprehensive five-and-a-half length win.

Looking forward

“He ran a lovely race (when third in the Champagne Stakes) in Doncaster. He’s a big horse to look forward to for next year,” said O’Brien.

“That was only seven and he’ll have no problem getting a mile or a mile and a quarter next year.”

Heavens Gate could be bound for Del Mar after her victory in the Group 3 Weld Park Stakes.

The Churchill filly came with a strong surge to lead over a furlong from home in the seven-furlong contest and held the late charge of Fiery Lucy by a neck.

O’Brien said of the 11/8 favourite: “Ryan thinks that she’ll get a mile, riding her patiently. He said she quickened well and waited when she got there. He was very happy with her. She deserved that, she’s after having two very big runs.”

When asked if the Breeders’ Cup could be on the agenda, he added: “It’s very possible. Round the bends, loads of speed, that’s what you need.”

MY Mate Alfie capped a terrific season with victory in the Group 3 SBK Renaissance Stakes.

The Ger Lyons-trained gelding has gone from strength to strength during the year and went to post a 7/2 shot in the six-furlong contest, after taking the valuable Bold Lad Handicap over course and distance a fortnight previously.

Colin Keane produced his mount with a well-timed run to lead inside the final furlong and he proved three-parts of a length too strong for front-runner Big Gossey.

“He’s straightforward and I’m happy to have him. He’s just improved all season,” said Lyons. “I think he’s won what he has deserved, a Group 3.

“I promised the owner (Austin Whelan) that, if he let me do it my way this year, that we’d go touring next year, so I’ll have to come up with a plan to get out of that one!

“He makes you look good, he’s so straightforward. You’d think these sprinters are high octane and hard to deal with, but he’s so laid back and I think that’s the secret to his success.”

For sale

David Marnane-trained Tokenomics recorded his third career victory in the Bord Na Mona Recycling Rated Race.

Luke McAteer’s mount travelled stylishly to lead over a furlong from home and went on to record a cosy length-and-a-quarter success in the seven-furlong heat at odds of 7/2.

“He went to York and mightn’t have been on the top of his game, but the ground was very firm that day and I don’t know whether he wanted it that quick,” said Marnane.

“I’d say it made a man of him anyway. He’s improving and, with the size of him all he’s going to do is get better.

“Unfortunately, he’s going to go to the sales, I’d love to keep him. He’s in the October horses-in-training sale. He’ll make some horse for Australia.”

JOSEPH O’Brien ran three in the Lavazza Nursery and it was the two at bigger prices that ended up fighting out the finish.

Montpellier Green led just inside the final furlong and held the challenge of 80/1 stablemate Desmond Castle by half a length to land the spoils under Dylan Browne McMonagle.

The 10/1 winner, owned by Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, was making his first start in handicap company and O’Brien said: “It took us a bit of time to get him figured out. The bit of juice in the ground helped him today and he won nicely, he was tough. He’s had the headgear on and off and we tried cheekpieces as well, but we stuck to the blinkers today and he showed a good attitude.”

Big price

Belfrina was the biggest priced winner on the card, when springing a 33/1 shock in the concluding SBK Maiden over 10 furlongs.

Ronan Whelan produced the John O’Donoghue-trained filly to lead inside the final furlong and record a length-and-a-quarter win over Royal Entry.

The winner is owned by Claire Hawkes and former jockey Willie Supple and O’Donoghue wasn’t surprised, despite the fancy starting price.

“It wasn’t unexpected. You’re never quite sure coming to the Curragh, it’s obviously hot, but we’ve always liked her. We were annoyed with her break (slowly away) on debut. She’s a lovely filly and she’s got a future.

“We tried to run her a couple of times, but we just wanted a bit of ease. It’s nice after a year off that we’re doing something right.”