An Irish Stakes (G1) champion running under a bright autumn sky in front of a raging Leopardstown crowd on September 10 has been hailed as a moment of truth Luxembourg and he graciously delivered on a classic Ryan Moore ride.
When passing the Gallic challenge of 3-year-olds Onesto and Vadeni who endured a fair amount of traffic under Christophe Soumillon, Camelot Colt not only saved his own season, but also helped save something for both the Classic and Ballydoyle generations.
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Put it this way, it’s been a long time since trainer Aidan O’Brien had to wait until September to produce a 3-year-old foal that won Group 1.
That rare dark horse was killed in style when Moore lured his game partner home halfway down the road from Onesto. It made for an epic spectacle as Soumillon attempted to break through a horse wall on Vadeni after challenging from behind, and Onesto failed to lie down after taking the lead from the race. Stone Age at the long hair pole.
At that stage, Moore, who had positioned Luxembourg in the middle of the field on the outside, got serious. The reaction from his mount, who came back 7-2, was also serious.
Luxembourg found a lot of pressure to take the lead with a run of about 50 metres, as the Leopardstown crowd of 10,280 highly rated 10,280 cheered him home.
They then clapped him out of the victor’s encirclement, acknowledging that they witnessed a special encounter. Maybe they too were excited by the prospect of what might be to come, like a date with fate, and maybe Baaeed , has now appeared at Longchamp in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) this fall. Luxembourg was dropped 5-1 from a massive 20-1 to follow in France.
The Irish Champion is also the Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” Challenge Race, thus providing paid, automatic entry to the winner into the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1T) on the date. November 5 in Keeneland.
O’Brien, who won the €1 million race for the 11th and fourth time in a row, was moved by the answer. He can also think of the tragic death of Jack de Bromhead six days earlier as he confronts the press.
“To win a race like that, I don’t think we’ve had such an atmosphere for Flat racing in Ireland for such a long time,” he beamed.
“He’s applauded when he’s out — that’s rare. But those are the racers, when things are going well, everyone is giving their best and when there are times of sadness, everyone feels it. see it. That’s the way racers do.”
After stumbling heavily before going on to take third place in the Qipco Two Thousand Guineas (G1), Luxembourg’s season fell into a slump a few days later when O’Brien was forced to knock him out of the Derby because muscle injury.
Few have been noticed by his return win as a craftsman in the Fitzdares Royal Whip Stakes (G3) match at Curragh last month, but he merely brushed off the web.
“We feel to Curragh that he’s just ready for a racecourse gallop, but we can’t come here unless he has a race, and that’s why we’re so excited. happy with him at Curragh,” he said.
“I promise, he has 20 to 30% to improve from there, and you don’t normally run a horse in a group race like that. The plan is to get there, then here, and then the Arc. , so the dream.
“All credit to the horse, we put it on a pretty tough task. And the pace is pretty steady here, so you’ll find out.”
The answer is quite emphatic, and Moore is the ultimate winner, embodying all the beliefs we associate with him at his best. Apparently he has a pretty good idea of how much ammo he has at his disposal, and he’s not going to be a hostage to the fortune.
“He did it very well,” Moore said after winning the 10-time affair for the fourth time.
“It was a good, even and fair race. He beat some good horses aged 3 and up. He dropped them nicely and I think he has so much more to it than that. again.
“He always felt like he was in control of the race. Onesto was always there, but I always thought I had him.”
Supporters of Vadeni, the 7-4 favorite, were left to judge their fortunes. Soumillon only had Mishriff stay early and decided to stick around inside, with Colin Keane on Mishriff tying his hand a little when closing the three clamps down, backfired.
They managed to get through, but the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club (G1) and hero Coral-Eclipse (G1) lacked the tactical footwork needed to exit the pit.
Soumillon philosophy of failure then. “When you look at what happened, the horse had to rest for two months after the big run in Eclipse,” he said.
“He didn’t answer when I asked him like he did at Sandown, maybe because he needed it a little bit and the track was a bit soft. With a clearer run and better fitness, I’m sure. that he’ll be able to beat them next time.”
