My name is Phillip Shelton, and I will be your tour guide for the next five days for an American owner’s experience in Ireland. I manage the Taylor Made Ranch Medal Race. One of our missions at Medallion and Taylor Made is to create world-class experiences for our partners. Last year it was Royal Ascot and this year it was Ireland. We have 21 partners with us this week for the Irish Derby (G1), as well as visits to various breeding farms and training centres.
Medal partners race at Curragh
Our first stop on Saturday was Curragh for Pretty Polly Day. This helped whet our appetite for the main course, which is Irish Horse Racing Day on Sunday. Once we had a pint of traditional Guinness, we could enter the races. It’s hard not to look at Curragh and notice the difference to the American track. The grandstand feels rather small compared to most US racetracks, but it’s modern and new after a recent renovation, and has a better feel than many US tracks. The course itself is a sea of green, with galloping for field training. I still feel weird watching a straight seven-mile race (although it’s a bit puzzling). Through all these differences, however, some things seem very familiar to American racers. Many trainers wait to launch their best ponies on these big days in both countries. I’m thinking about the winner of the Kentucky Derby (G1) magician , who had a winning debut on Pegasus Day. The first race was won by Troythe son of justification who is considered the winner of the team stake in winning the debut with ease.
Next is matrika do something we hardly ever see in America. She’s a very good second to Medallion’s main Porta Fortuna in Albany Stakes (G3) eight days earlier at Royal Ascot. She’s back to dominate Airlie Stud Stakes (G2). I could be fired as an owner for suggesting my coach bring a very cute 2-year-old back for an eight-day break after a big effort at Europe’s biggest meeting !
The difference continues to come in the feature race, Pretty Polly (G1), won by Via Sistina . Via Sistina looked like a sure-fire winner as she made her way inside, but came out too strong and negatively impacted the chances of three different horses. In the US, it is certain that she will be disqualified. This is what many of our partners have come to expect (maybe selfishly, since we bet on people running too!). As the best horse in the race, the managers abandoned her and suspended the rider for six days. This looks like a better way to settle things because the best horse of the day won.
Enjoy a post-race stop at the Straffan Inn
After looking at it from a betting perspective, we set out to try some more Guinness at the Straffan Inn, a pub near K Club. We were hosted the night by Thoroughbred Irish Marketing, who were invaluable in helping make this trip a reality. After a pint or two (maybe more than two) and a night of Irish music, we were ready for Ireland Horse Racing Day, where Europe’s top 3-year-olds Auguste Rodin will try to give coach Aidan O’Brien his 100th European Classic win!
Enjoy a post-race stop at the Straffan Inn
This is the first in a five-part series.
