WARRIOR SPIRIT
Colt tipped for Derby glory after Beresford win
SAXON Warrior is favourite for next year’s Investec Derby with some bookmakers after dominating his rivals in the Juddmonte Beresford Stakes at Naas.
The Group Two contest has an illustrious roll of honour, with trainer Aidan O’Brien striking gold on a remarkable 16 previous occasions.
The last horse to claim this prize on the road to Derby glory was the brilliant Sea The Stars (2008), trained by John Oxx, and Saxon Warrior is the 6-1 market-leader with Paddy Power after taking his career record to two from two under Ryan Moore.
O’Brien said: ‘We thought he was a nice colt before he ran at the Curragh, but we felt that he was just ready to go racing. When Donnacha (O’Brien) eased him out he took off and he had to be a good colt to do what he did.’
Saxon Warrior came into this one the 5-6 favourite after his stunning display at the Curragh a month ago, and after travelling well in behind his pacesetting stablemate Kew Gardens, he picked up to score by two and a half lengths.
Delano Roosevelt provided Ballydoyle with a one-two, just getting the better of Brendan Duke’s Warm The Voice to claim second.
British trainer Karl Burke enjoyed a memorable afternoon after clinching a Group-race double with Quiet Reflection and Ellthea.
Quiet Reflection struck twice at Group One level last season. However, having disappointed on her only previous outing this season back in May, she lined up in the Renaissance Stakes with a point to prove.
The 5-2 favourite travelled powerfully in the hands of Martin Harley and once the gap came, she quickly moved up to claim the Group Three prize by two and three-quarter lengths from Alphabet.
Paddy Power cut Quiet Reflection to 8-1 from 16-1 for the Qipco British Champions Sprint at Ascot on October 21 and Burke is relishing a clash with this year’s July Cup and Sprint Cup hero Harry Angel, who is the 6-4 favourite.
Burke had earlier landed the
C.L. & M.F. Weld Park Stakes with 10-1 shot Ellthea.
The daughter of Kodiac produced an assured display in the hands of Colm O’Donoghue.
‘We were thinking if she nicked a bit of black type we would probably pack her in for the year but Colm said she did that pretty easily. We might look for something else,’ said Burke.
O’Donoghue completed a double aboard Jessica Harrington’s 100-30 favourite Pincheck in the Hospitality At Naas Racecourse Handicap.
Willie Mullins is eyeing a possible tilt at the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup with Renneti after he obliged as the 4-5 favourite in the Group Three Loughbrown Stakes under Pat Smullen.
Mcmunigal (13-2) made a successful debut for trainer Ger Lyons and Smullen’s title rival Colin Keane in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.
Meanwhile, Paul Midgley enjoyed a one-two in the Joe McGrath Handicap, with Leigh Roche guiding 10-1 shot Tylery Wonder to a clear victory over stablemate Monsieur Joe.