Horse Racing

Al Riffa Rallies for National Stakes Score


Al Riffa came from near last to win the closely contested Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes (G1) on September 11 at Curraghgiving coach Joseph O’Brien his second win in this competition and driver Dylan Browne McMonagle his first win at group 1.

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McMonagle is cool with his 2-year-old son Wootton Bassett Ask for his effort inside the final match and try to be strong outside to win the way Proud and Regal .

It was a smart attempt on Al Riffa’s third start, having only lost his first card on a second attempt at this venue last month.

“I was so good at moving that I had to pull a two-feather pole, when I got stuck on him he stretched really well,” McMonagle said. It was an unbelievable performance and he loved the soft ground.

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“It’s been a big day for me and I hope it’s the first of many. I’m really grateful to Joseph and the owners for putting their trust in me.”

Al Riffa has been cut to 14-1 (from 25) with William Hill for next year’s Qipco Two Thousand Guineas (G1) and 12-1 (from 33) with bet365 for Cazoo Derby (G1).

O’Brien, who won the National Share with Thunder Moon in 2020, said: “He’s a huge horse like a coward. I was thinking buying him that he would make an adorable 3 year old, there is no way I thought it would be a two year old that he did. His family are all high endurance people, and to do what he did was extremely positive.

“We always thought he was going to be a long distance horse but he was by no means slow and he has never looked slow at any stage today. I think he’s a Guineas horse and we’ll take it from there. He’s super interesting, that’s for sure.

“The plan going here is to go to Longchamp after Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere, so we’ll see what happens.”

The disappointment of the race was the 8-13 favorite and was previously undefeated Aesop’s Fables . He may only finish fourth, but coach Aidan O’Brien is at least pleased to see his two sons fill the first two places.

Donnacha O’Brien Trained by Donnacha Proud and Regal continued his good season finishing second under Gavin Ryan. The trainer said: “He runs on a pregnant belly, and some juice on the ground suits him. All right, he’ll be in group 1 in France or maybe Futurity in the UK. He wants a mile.”

Keeneland Phoenix Stakes (G1) third Shartash filled the same spot here for Johnny Murtagh and Ben Coen.



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