Free Whelan Ballydoyle land another Group 1 with Precise strike

Super subs have been the order of the weekend for the Ballydoyle operation due to the absence of Ryan Moore and Wayne Lordan because of injury and suspension and it was Ronan Whelan who delivered the latest Group 1 for Aidan O’Brien and the Coolmore partners, guiding Precise (11/2) to a surprise but inarguably deserved victory in the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh today.

Christophe Soumillon bagged a treble on the first leg of Irish Champions Festival at Leopardstown yesterday, with the highlight being Delacroix’s burst of speed to put the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes to bed.

Across the water in Doncaster, Tom Marquand was in the saddle as Scandinavia battled to victory in the St Leger.

The market and jockey bookings suggested that Composing was the first choice among the Rosegreen ranks in the Moyglare today but it was Whelan who held the aces on the apparent third string, to stretch away from another stablemate Beautify and Dylan Browne McMonagle by three-quarters of a length on the line.

Karl Burke’s Venetian Sun lost her unbeaten record when staying on past the tiring Composing to be third, having been caught in a pocket but never looked to have the gears to extricate herself in time.

It was a fourth Group 1 success for Whelan, the first having come in this race on the Patrick Prendergast-trained Skitter Scatter in 2018.

The Monasterevin man spared a thought for Lordan, who provided his weigh room colleague with all the information needed to produce a copybook ride at Flat HQ.

“That’s what it’s all about,” said Whelan. “I know it’s a cliché but it’s not what you know, it’s who you know! It’s great to be associated with this time. Any time you get the leg over, you know you always have a chance.

“We didn’t jump as well as I’d have probably liked. She was a little bit sluggish but being honest, the beauty about riding a second or third string is you can just let it happen a little bit more.

“I was happy the two boys were going to take me as far as I needed. Roger Quinlan rides her every day and he said to me that ideally, you wouldn’t be hitting the front too soon on her. So the way it played out, it couldn’t have worked out any better.

“Wayne Lordan, I feel for him. He probably should be here talking to you but I’m very grateful for the opportunities. Wayne told me all about her, Ryan rang me this morning and couldn’t have filled me in any more. They’re just a great team to be associated yet and everyone is out to help each other.” O’Brien was suitably impressed by both horse and jockey.

“She’s an improving filly. She had a lovely run the last day, came forward a lot. She’s a homebred filly. There’s a strong headwind but Ronan had her in a lovely position and gave her a lovely ride.

“It was probably tough out there making the running. Obviously they all couldn’t make it. Christophe’s won making the running her last couple of times and didn’t want to change it too much. Dylan was there beside him nursing (Beautify) along and Ronan ended up with the perfect position, controlling the race where he was but she quickened up very well. She’s growing and maturing all the time.”