Romantic Proposal punches Breeders' Cup ticket at Curragh

Romantic Proposal powered to a brilliant victory in the Flying Five Stakes at Curragh to secure more glory for sprint king Edward Lynam.

In a frenetic but thrilling encounter at the Curragh, jockey Chris Hayes piloted the 5-year-old to a half-a-length win from outsider A Case Of You and Kevin Ryan’s Glass Slippers.

The win gave him a fees-paid berth in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint.

Kicking off four back-to-back Group Ones on the second day of Irish Champions Weekend, the deep field was packed full of quality.

Pre-race, many thought the real threat would come from Winter Power, who once again had hotshot Silvestre De Sousa in the saddle.

Winter Power had produced a brilliant display at York in last month’s Nunthorpe Stakes – and was right in the mix at the halfway stage once again on the other side of the Irish Sea.

But she was unable to respond to a charge from both Romantic Proposal and the much-fancied Glass Slippers, ridden by Tom Eaves and the winner of the race last season.

“I thought it would be in England, to be honest, but she did everything great. I think it's six years since I’ve had a Group One winner!

“We’re smaller now with 30 horses, but the team work very hard and we’re still passionate about it. Days like today are great – I’m delighted.”

Romantic Proposal has previous history at the Curragh, winning the Dash Stakes in June before the unequivocal Champions Weekend step-up.

And she was able to find an extra gear in the closing stages to leave a beaming Hayes punching the air in delight when crossing the line.