Now this is what you call keeping it in the family….A Group 3, worth €100,000 in prize-money, and only the O’Briens are involved. Joseph is responsible for two-thirds of the field and his father, Aidan, has the remaining third.
Comer Group International Irish St Leger Trial Stakes at the Curragh
| 1m6f | Group 3 | 3yo+|
This is officially a trial for the Irish St Leger and it has done exactly what it has said on the tin in recent years with three of the last four winners going on to win the real thing the following month – Order Of St George [2015, 2017] and Flag Of Honour [2018].
You would not bet against this year’s winner repeating the feat on the big stage during Irish Champions Weekend as three of the six runners are rated 112 or higher.
Master Of Reality comes into the race on the back of a terrific third to Stradivarius in the Gold Cup at Ascot, while the fact Donnacha O’Brien is on the hat-trick-seeking, OTI owned Downdraft speaks volumes.
Joseph O’Brien said of his runners: “Downdraft is improving all the time and this is the next step up the ladder. I wouldn’t want the ground to get too soft for him. Master Of Reality ran really well at Ascot and stepped up hugely on what he had shown previously. He’s done well since and is in good form.
“Eminent Authority ran a nice race at Ascot but just met traffic in running so was a bit unlucky, while it would be great if Cimeara could pick up a bit of black type.”
It is rare Aidan O’Brien is outnumbered in Pattern races but he still has two solid chances in the shape of Capri and Southern France.
To view the final race field for this evening, please CLICK HERE.
We look forward to seeing Downdraft take his place in the St Leger Trial Stakes and hope to see another flying finish!