2005

FRANCES Crowley came into the race looking for her first group victory. Owner Joe Joyce had been involved in racehorse ownership for less than two years, but the pair combined for a truly memorable success as Saoire landed an absorbing renewal of the Boylesports Irish 1000 Guineas.

With victory came the achievement of becoming the first licensed woman trainer to send out the winner of an Irish classic. It marked another notable milestone in Crowley’s racing career that has also featured two successes in the amateur jockeys’ championship while, in her training career, she has already been responsible for the handling of such high-class jumpers as Moscow Express, Sackville and Nil Desperandum.

Saoire was continuing a tremendous season for Joyce. Bought for him by Martin Cullinane at the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale in Fairyhouse for €65,000, the daughter of Pivotal carries the same colours as the hitherto unbeaten Derby contender Fracas, and another promising filly in Whoneedswings.

Saoire came into last Sunday’s race having already provided ample evidence of her ability by finishing third in last year’s Moyglare. Recently she had not enjoyed the clearest of passages when a good sixth in the English 1000 Guineas.

On this occasion she was sent off a 10/1 chance in one of the biggest fields assembled for the fillies classic in recent years. Her rivals included the Newmarket heroine Virginia Waters, as well as last year’s champion juvenile filly Damson.

Husband and wife

It promised to be the first in a series of fascinating middle-distance clashes over the season, and the Tattersalls Gold Cup more than lived up to expectations as Grey Swallow once again thrilled the Curragh crowds with a performance of the highest quality.

This marked his first appearance at the track since last year’s memorable Irish Derby victory, where he saw off the first four home from Epsom, but a tougher challenge awaited the Daylami colt on this occasion. Dermot Weld’s charge’s five rivals consisted of horses of the calibre of the Arc de Triomphe hero and five-time Group 1 victor Bago, along with the Irish Champion Stakes hero Azamour.

He was ridden by Pat Smullen who enjoyed a truly memorable afternoon to lift this prize on his 28th birthday and just two hours later see his wife Frances Crowley strike gold in the Irish 1000 Guineas.

The pair crossed the line with three-parts of a length to spare over Bago. Ace was just a length back in third, with Azamour a neck further away in fourth.

A delighted Weld, who was winning the race for the first time since 1997, said: “That was a brilliant performance from Grey Swallow and an outstanding ride from Pat Smullen. Our fellow is brave and tough and utilised those qualities today.”