International Guide: Top fillies square off in Irish Oaks
Another big weekend of racing awaits in Europe with a bevy of group stakes races on the agenda in England, Ireland, and France.
The highlight of the action is the Irish Oaks (G1) at the Curragh, which has attracted a talented and competitive field to the fray. But fans of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) will want to see what transpires in the Prix d’Ispahan (G1), which could toss up a contender or two for Europe’s most prestigious event.
Let’s review four international races you won’t want to miss this week:
Saturday, July 18
Newbury, England, Race 7: Hackwood Stakes (G3, 11:00 a.m. ET)
The seemingly ageless 8-year-old sprinter The Tin Man hasn’t reached the winner’s circle since 2018, but over the course of his career this 6-furlong specialist has won three top-level events, including the 2017 Diamond Jubilee (G1) at Royal Ascot.
The Tin Man was a little dull in the 2020 Diamond Jubilee, finishing seventh by 4 1/2 lengths, but it wasn’t a bad effort for his seasonal debut. He figures to be sharper second-time out while dropping down the class ladder, Three starts back he battled to a close runner-up effort behind Diamond Jubilee winner Hello Youmzain in the 2019 Haydock Sprint Cup (G1), so there’s no reason to think The Tin Man isn’t capable of bouncing back to the winner’s circle in the Hackwood Stakes. Certainly fans will be rooting for this aging veteran to turn back the clock and prevail.
Curragh, Ireland, Race 4: Minstrel Stakes (G2, 12:45 p.m. ET)
Romanised has ranked among Europe’s top milers over the last couple of seasons. While the son of Holy Roman Emperor isn’t a frequent winner, he’s picked some big moments to produce his A-game, winning the 2018 Irish 2,000 Guineas (G1) at the Curragh and the 2019 Prix Jacques le Marois (G1) at Deauville.
But while Romanised’s greatest successes have come over a mile, he also has the speed to compete over 7 furlongs, as he demonstrated when claiming the 2019 Minstrel by a length. Romanised hasn’t run since September, when he lost the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (G1) by a nose to recent Queen Anne (G1) winner Circus Maximus, but even off the layoff Romanised rates a strong chance to defend his Minstrel title and kick off 2020 on a winning note.
Curragh, Ireland, Race 7: Irish Oaks (G1, 2:15 p.m. ET)
Five-time Irish Oaks-winning trainer Aidan O’Brien will saddle four of the eight starters in this 1 1/2-mile classic, led by the improving Galileo filly Ennistymon, distant runner-up behind acclaimed stable companion Love in the 1 1/2-mile Epsom Oaks (G1) two weeks ago. Ennistymon hails from a productive family, considering her half-sister Liscanna is the dam of Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) champion Hit It a Bomb and Group 1 winner Brave Anna.
Snow, a comfortable winner of the 1 1/2-mile Munster Oaks (G3) at Cork and a half-sister to St. Leger (G1) winner Kew Gardens, is another well-regarded contender from O’Brien’s stable. But despite the depth of the O’Brien contingent, British bookmakers prefer the chances of Cayenne Pepper, a daughter of Australia trained by Jessica Harrington.
It’s easy to understand the support for Cayenne Pepper. Winner of the 1-mile Flame of Tara Irish EBF Stakes (G3) at the Curragh as a juvenile, Cayenne Pepper kicked off her 2020 campaign with a run against older mares in the Curragh’s 1 1/4-mile Pretty Polly Stakes (G1). While she was no match for the globetrotting Magical—a multiple Group 1 winner against males—Cayenne Pepper did prove clearly second-best over the 4-year-old Fleeting, runner-up in the 2019 Irish Oaks.
Whether you prefer the chances of Cayenne Pepper, Ennistymon, Snow, or a longshot, one thing is certain—the Irish Oaks is shaping up to be a fascinating and entertaining race.
Sunday, July 19
Chantilly, France, Race 6: Prix d’Ispahan (G1, 10:25 a.m. ET)
Owned in partnership by Godolphin and Ballymore Thoroughbred, Persian King is heavily favored to claim victory in the 1 1/8-mile Prix d’Ispahan. Trained by Andre Fabre, the son of top miler Kingman hasn’t missed the exacta in nine starts, with his six career victories including a triumph over heavy ground in the 1-mile Poule d’Essai des Poulains (G1, French 2,000 Guineas) last season.
Persian King suffered a narrow loss in his first start of 2020, but rebounded to win the 1-mile Prix du Muguet (G2) by 1 1/4 lengths. Though he’s never won beyond a mile, Persian King did finish second in the 1 5/16-mile Prix du Jockey Club (G1, French Derby) last season and is expected to encounter soft ground on Sunday, a condition he figures to enjoy.
If anyone can give Persian King a fight, it’s probably Motamarris, who has won four of his rive starts for trainer Freddie Head, famed as the conditioner of three-time Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) winner Goldikova. Motamarris suffered his lone defeat when finishing third in the Prix du Jockey Club, two lengths behind Persian King, but the son of Le Havre was much the best in the 1 1/4-mile Grand Prix de Compiegne over soft ground at Compiegne last month and can spring a surprise if Persian King struggles over the 1 1/8-mile journey.
Enjoy the racing!