Moore hails Kyprios after superstar turns in scintillating display at the Curragh

Contrary to Mark Antony and Julius Caesar, everyone at Curragh Racecourse today came to praise Kyprios and the stayer gave them ample cause to do so, as he recorded a comfortable victory over Vauban in the Group 1 Comer International Group Irish St Leger.

Afterwards, jockey Ryan Moore labelled Kyprios as the best stayer he had ridden, a significant statement indeed from a jockey not given to hysteria or hyperbole.

It was a second success in the final Classic of the Irish season for the six-year-old, on what has been another weekend to remind us that while his sire Galileo is no longer with us, his influence will be eternal.

It was a fifth triumph from five outings this year for the Moyglare Stud and Coolmore partners-owned performer, on what has been a commanding return to his best after a joint injury threatened his life.

He had returned from an 11-month lay-off to be second in this race last year, but with a clear run this time around and brilliant performances in following up a second Gold Cup triumph in the Goodwood Cup, Kyprios was sent off the 2/5 favourite.

He raced in trademark relaxed fashion in second even as stablemate The Euphrates dawdled along in front but though the early pace wasn’t generous, they gradually wound it up from about six furlongs out to utilise the proven stamina of the hotpot.

Moore went for home as they turned into the straight but Willie Mullins’ former Triumph Hurdle winner, recent Lonsdale Cup victor and Melbourne Cup fancy, Vauban loomed as a danger momentarily, along with Marco Botti’s Giavellotto but William Buick and Oisín Murphy – who had both missed earlier engagements due to delays at Dublin Airport after riding, and in Murphy’s case winning, at Woodbine last night – were soon sending out distress signals while Moore poured on the coal.

As is his wont, Kyprios had no intention of streaking clear by ten but his two-and-a-half-length defeat of Vauban was definitive.

“He knows plenty about what he’s doing,” explained Moore moments afterwards. “He just takes a while to engage but he didn’t really even open up today. He’s just an unbelievable horse.

“He’s the best stayer I rode. He stays very well. He’s got a lot of class. He’s got a lot of speed.” O’Brien confirmed that Kyprios would be back next year but where he goes next is still up for discussion. Whatever happens, the trainer believes that he is getting better.

“He got an infection in a joint capsule but there was no pressure to do anything with him, whether he raced or didn’t race last year, there was absolutely no pressure,” O’Brien explained. “And that’s what gave everyone time to get him back.

“He’s very special. We could see what he did