Magna Grecia provides O’Brien with terrific tenth success in 2,000 Guineas
Ballydoyle maestro Aidan O’Brien celebrated a terrific tenth victory in the Qipco 2,000 Guineas after Magna Grecia scored under the trainer’s son Donnacha O’Brien at odds of 11-2.
The colt, owned by Derrick Smith, John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Flaxman Stables, stayed on strongly on the stands’ side to beat 66-1 outsider King Of Change by two and a half lengths.
Stablemate and favourite Ten Sovereigns travelled well on his first start over a mile, but the stands’ side runners – including two of the first three – were clear.
Watch the 2,000 Guineas replay
The winning trainer said: “I’m delighted with Magna Grecia – he’s a lovely horse, developed well over the winter and matured great. He’s very exciting and we thought he’d get a mile well even though he had plenty of pace last year.
“Donnacha was always in a fantastic position on him and it’s a massive team effort. John [Magnier, part-owner] always thought he was a miler and we think that will be the route we’ll be going with the Irish Guineas and then Ascot.”
O’Brien’s remarks suggest Epsom is unlikely to be on the agenda for the winner, who is not entered in the Investec Derby, and Betfair shortened Magna Grecia to evens (from 3) for the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh on May 25.
Donnacha O’Brien, successful in the race aboard Saxon Warrior last year, said: “It’s an unbelievable achievement for Dad. The horses were in great condition coming here and he’s a genius. I just need to learn as much from him as I can.
“Magna Grecia is uncomplicated so I kept it simple, followed the pace and it worked out well. He’s seen it out well.”
Craven Stakes winner Skardu kept on best of the rest to finish third, with Madhmoon and Ten Sovereigns close behind.
fonte : RacingPost
Invincible Spirit’s Magna Grecia Gives O’Brien a Tenth 2000 Guineas
| 4th at NEW, Gr. Stk, £523,750 | G1 Qipco 2000 Guineas S. | (8f) | Winner: Magna Grecia (Ire), c, 3 by Invincible Spirit (Ire) |
Magna Grecia | racingfotos.com
Owned in partnership by Derrick Smith, Michael Tabor, Susan Magnier and Flaxman Stables, Magna Grecia (Ire)(Invincible Spirit {Ire}) took full advantage of a crucial pace bias to bring up a remarkable 10th success in Newmarket’s G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas on Saturday. Also bringing about a third consecutive Guineas for his stable for the first time since the 1830s, the G1 Futurity Trophy winner was blessed as a 19-runner Classic became effectively a three-runner affair passing halfway courtesy of the tempo set on the rail by Silvestre de Sousa on Shine So Bright (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}). Passing the two-furlong pole, it was clear that the trio racing towards the stand’s side had it between them and as Donnacha O’Brien sent the 11-2 second favourite past the leader soon after he had only the Hannon runner King of Change (GB) (Farhh {GB}) to concern him. Forging clear up the rising ground, Magna Grecia had 2 1/2 lengths to spare over that 66-1 shot, with the group racing up the middle led ultimately by Skardu (GB) (Shamardal), 1 3/4 lengths further back. The 9-4 favourite Ten Sovereigns (Ire) (No Nay Never), who was also in that group, faded to fifth late. “Coming here, I was in two minds about where to go but I knew Silvestre’s had a good bit of pace and in this lad is uncomplicated so I followed him and it worked out well,” Donnacha commented after steering his second Guineas winner after Saxon Warrior (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) 12 months ago. “I got a lovely tow into the race and he picked up well and saw it out well. I was always very comfortable, the horse was travelling well and I was keeping my eye to my right to watch the others but I never felt I had too much ground to make up. He took me there and I even got there a bit early again. I seem to be making a habit of kicking too early in a Guineas!” Aidan O’Brien revealed that there would be no Derby challenge from the winner. “He’s been a solid horse all the time and although everyone was of the opinion last year he would stay further John [Magnier] said all winter that he would be a real miler,” he explained. I knew the lads had it in their heads to start here and go to The Curragh before [Royal] Ascot and we knew that we were going to stretch the other horse to get a mile. It depended on where the pace was and Donnacha was more forward than Ryan, who had to wait to be sucked into the race. He’ll probably drop back to six.”
Saturday, Newmarket, Britain
QIPCO 2000 GUINEAS S.-G1, £523,750, Newmarket, 5-4, 3yo, 8fT, 1:36.84, gd.
1–MAGNA GRECIA (IRE), 126, c, 3, by Invincible Spirit (Ire)
1st Dam: Cabaret (Ire) (GSW-Ire), by Galileo (Ire)
2nd Dam: Witch of Fife, by Lear Fan
3rd Dam: Fife (Ire), by Lomond
(340,000gns Wlg ’16 TATFOA). O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor & Flaxman Stables; B-Woodnook Farm Pty Ltd (IRE); T-Aidan O’Brien; J-Donnacha O’Brien. £297,019. Lifetime Record: 4-3-1-0, $588,803. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–King of Change (GB), 126, c, 3, Farhh (GB)–Salacia (Ire), by Echo of Light (GB). O-Ali Abdulla Saeed; B-Rabbah Bloodstock Limited (GB); T-Richard Hannon. £112,606.
3–Skardu (GB), 126, c, 3, Shamardal–Diala (Ire), by Iffraaj (GB). O-Abdulla Al Khalifa; B-Sheikh Abdulla Bin Isa Al Khalifa (GB); T-William Haggas. £56,356.
Margins: 2HF, 1 3/4, HD. Odds: 5.50, 66.00, 8.00.
Also Ran: Madhmoon (Ire), Ten Sovereigns (Ire), Shine So Bright (GB), Kick On (GB), Urban Icon (GB), Great Scot (GB), Momkin (Ire), Azano (GB), Dark Vision (Ire), Royal Marine (Ire), Set Piece (GB), Advertise (GB), Al Hilalee (GB), Sporting Chance (GB), Emaraaty Ana (GB), Name The Wind (GB).
Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. (fonte : TDN)
