Not a week to savour for O’Brien

IT WAS not a good week for Aidan O’Brien as he and his son, Donnacha, both suffered racecourse bans, and he then made little impact on a very valuable card on Juddmonte Oaks day at the Curragh on Saturday.

He left without a single winner from 13 runners in six races, while Jim Bolger did get on the board.

Even the best trainer in the world, a man noted for his meticulous attention to detail, can sometimes make a mistake. It seems Aidan O’Brien is only human after all!

Aidan and his son, Donnacha, were each fined €2,500 and banned from attending racing for two weeks for breaching the Covid-19 protocols on Irish 2,000 Guineas day at the Curragh on June 12, four days after racing resumed.

It is accepted that all their paperwork was correct, but they entered the course through the gate they have regularly used over the years, and this was not the ‘designated screening area’ on this occasion.

Donnacha’s ban started last Tuesday, and Aidan began his two-week banishment yesterday.

He will not be able to console himself with many fond memories of the Oaks meeting at the Curragh on Saturday and Sunday, coming away with just one minor winner and making little impact on a host of big races.

He had four of the eight runners in the Oaks fillies’ classic, but third by the slightly unlucky Passion was his best in a race won by Even So (10/1), giving Ger Lyons and Colin Keane their second-ever classic just six weeks on from Siskin in the 2,000 Guineas.

Ironically, the winner was in the Coolmore colours of Sue Magnier, usually sported by Ballydoyle runners.

Overall it was a day for the ‘lesser lights’ to shine, with Ken Condon scoring a Group 2 double with the well-fancied Romanised and the totally unfancied Laws of Indices at a huge 66/1 in the prestigious Gain Railway Stakes, where Aidan’s two failed to make the first three.

Ironically, Wayne Lordan, O’Brien’s top jockey in the absence of Seamie Heffernan, did get a winner but it was for Eddie Lynam in the €75k Paddy Power Scurry Handicap. Jim Bolger’s Mac Swiney (15/2) was an impressive winner of the two-year-old maiden, from O’Brien’s Wembley (4/9).

At the Curragh on Sunday there were three more €80k Group 2s and a €75k fillies’ handicap, and it summed up the meeting that Aidan’s only winner came in the first race, a €16,500 fillies’ maiden, with Snowfall (8/13) under Wayne Lordan, who got up despite dwelling at the start.

It was ridiculous that only four contested the €80k Group 2 Airlie Stud Stakes and the result was a shocker, victory going to Chris Hayes and Fozzy Stack with 33/1 outsider, Aloha Star. The Group 2 Sapphire Stakes went to English raider, A’ali (1/1), under Colin Keane for Simon Crisford.

The Group 2 Kilboy Stakes capped a great couple of days for Ger Lyons and Colin Keane when their Lemista (3/1) took it up in the last furlong and held O’Brien’s Lovelier (4/1) by three parts of a length. Lordan’s mount had been an 11/1 winner of the listed Cairn Rouge Stakes at Killarney on Monday but missed the break at the start here.

On Wednesday, O’Brien sent just two to Killarney and won the opener on Keats (4/6f); he sent just two more to Leopardstown on Thursday and he got first and second in the listed €37,500 Nijinsky Stakes, led in by Delphi (6/4f) winning for the third time..

Donagh O’Connor did well to get second on David Marnane’s 33/1 outsider, Freescape, behind the Tom Mullins-trained Rocky Blue (7/2) in the Leopardstown handicap.

O’Brien and Wayne Lordan had two wins and a second from five runners at Limerick on Friday evening, and at good prices for Ballydoyle horses.

They took the first two six-furlong maidens, both by a nose, with Finest (15/2) and Giorgio Vasari (3/1).

P.J. McDonald made the long trip to Sandown for just two rides on Thursday and made it worthwhile with a nose victory on the front-running Desert Vision (13/2).

Sometimes you can overthink this game. McDonald went to Haydock for three rides on Friday; the first was a 40/1 no hoper, his second in the 5.25 was a close enough third; he then hung around for three hours until the last at 8.25 and you thought, this must have a chance, or why would he bother? Why indeed; Florenza finished twelfth of 16 runners!

Pat Dobbs went to Kempton for a couple of Richard Hannon runners on Wednesday and scored on Thank You Next (7/2), getting up by a nose. On Friday he made the trip to Chepstow for a single ride and suffered the frustration of it being withdrawn.

Jimmy Quinn went to Yarmouth for one ride on Wednesday and won by a neck and a neck in a tight finish on Kevin Ryan’s Dublin Rocker (12/1).

OUR SCHOOLGIRLS made the return to the playing fields over the weekend with Under-12s, Under-14s and Under-16s all in action.

North End moved to the top of the Under-12 Premier Division after a hard-earned 2-1 win away to Curracloe United. Niamh White was on target for the home side, but goals from Holly Dooley and Molly Chin gave the Wexford town girls a vital win.

Ballindaggin recorded their first win of the season when overcoming New Ross Town 4-2 courtesy of goals from Aoife Somers, Leah Roban, and two from Aoife Waters.

A tight scoreless draw between Shelburne and Aughrim saw the Ballywilliam girls finish off their season at the top of the table, but now they must await other results to see if they remain there.

Two goals from Colleen Gregan and one from Erin Doolan moved Coolboy Rangers to the top of Under-12 Division 2B as they overcame Seaview United 3-0.

Tombrack United moved clear at the top of Under-14 Division 2B after a 4-0 win away to New Ross Celtic, with the prolific Ana Dragusan scoring a hat-trick while Megan Hayes also got her name on the scoresheet.

Curracloe United’s second team became the first title winners of the season as their impressive pre-lockdown form had them so far ahead in Under-14 Division 3, they were uncatchable.

Their opponents, Kilmore, did enough to slip into runners-up spot, although they were no match for the title winners in this match and were over-run 12-1.

Millie Bates scored for Kilmore, but five goals from Angel Doyle, a hat-trick each from Siannon Carley and Naomi Breen-Denton, plus a goal from Emer Brennan, saw Curracloe complete the season with a one hundred per cent record.

League committee member Aine Murphy was on hand to present the victorious captain with their trophy.

Adamstown moved a point clear at the top of the Under-16 Premier Division with a 4-1 win over fellow title challengers Bunclody in Newbawn.

Amy Shannon was on target for the visitors, but two goals from Hannah Kehoe and one each from Cora Banville and Megan Martin gave the home side victory.

Aughrim Rangers made the long journey to North End United and moved joint top of the table with New Ross Town after a 4-1 win.

SAT. JULY 25 Under-14 Premier Division: New Ross Town v. Aughrim Rangers.

Under-14 Division 1: Ballindaggin v. Gorey Rangers.

Under-14 Division 2A: Bree United v. Shelburne United.

Under-14 Division 2B: Coolboy Rangers v. Cushinstown; New Ross Celtic v. Corach Ramblers.

Under-18 Premier Division: Moyne Rangers v. Aughrim Rangers; North End United v. Seaview United.

Under-18 Division 1: Arklow Town v. Bree United.