IT’S hard to believes that it’s 32 years since Michael Halford’s last runner in the Irish Derby and as we got closer to today’s contest, he is enjoying the build up to what looks a quality renewal of the colts’ classic.
“I was sent Fighting Hard not that long after I started training by Seamus Purcell, owned him. Squibs Curran ride him and he was grand horse that won his maiden. Seamus told me that he was in the Derby and to let him take his chance.
“I didn’t even know that he was in the Derby when he was sent to me. He ran a respectable race and that was 32 years ago,” Halford stated. “We had a good day out and the horse ended up running over hurdles and fences and he was a grand horse and I was 24 at the time and probably didn’t appreciate how big a deal that was at the time.”
Halford celebrated his 56th birthday last week and he has a live contender for this year’s renewal in the shape of Platinum Warrior. A comfortable winner of the Gallinule Stakes, the grey ticks a lot of boxes and comes into the race a fresh horse. He will be Shane Foley’s first ride in the Irish Derby.
“He looks great and he did his last bit of fast work on the Old Vic on Tuesday morning. He is not a horse that would be great work horse at home and he only does enough. But that went well and we’ll just keep him ticking over and it’s great for everyone in the yard and for my family too.
“He will be Mr Zhang’s first runner in a Group 1 and he has been a huge supporter of ours and I’m delighted for him that he’ll have a runner in the Derby. Michael Donohoe of the BBA and Charles O’Neill in ITM have played a huge in attracting owners like Mr Zhang into Irish racing.
“He has invested a lot of money in Ireland over the last number of years and that is down to the hard work of a lot of people but I’d have to say that Michael Donohoe has played a huge role in that regard.”
He is enjoying the build up to the race and added: “I will try and approach the weekend as if it’s just another fixture, but the Curragh is my local track and I remember my father used to bring me there as a kid and I’ve been pretty relaxed all week, but I’d imagine that I’ll be walking my box a bit as we get closer.
“Conor Hoban does a lot of work with the horse at home and Fabian Burke and all the lads at home do a great job and we have a nice team of horses heading for the Curragh and I’d like to think that they’ll be competitive.”
Looking ahead to the remainder of the season he said: “We have over 50 two-year olds and as I bunch, I’m very pleased with them. Some are backend types and I’d be slow to run any of them on ground as quick as it is at the minute. We have a good few ready to run, so once we get a drop of rain and have some nice ground, we’ll get started.
ABJAR
4yo b g (6212-)
Nathaniel - Kinnaird
Kamal El Naieri
He is a nice horse which joined us earlier this year from Michael Stoute’s and he’ll start off at the weekend. His owner is from Dubai and he looks a nice horse and long term, we hope that he might be good enough to race at the Carnival in Dubai.
He has a rating of 86 and he wants a mile and a half. He is a hard horse to gauge at home as he is lazy and he races that way too but we’ll get him going in the premier handicap on Friday and see how that goes.
AHLAN BIL ZAIN
4yo b g (41/7473434-79)
Elusive City - Fall View
R McNally & L Walsh & J M Collins & L Murrin
He was bought to go jumping but he doesn’t stay, so we’ll try him on the flat and see how that goes. The handicapper might have a hold of him but he handles good ground well and you’d like to think that he’ll be competitive in handicaps over seven or eight furlongs. He is a very honest, straightforward horse.
AMBASSADORIAL
4yo b g (11/3-240)
Elusive Quality - Tactfully
Godolphin
He was a smart two-year-old, winning first time out and then he won a listed race, but I had a very stop/start time with him last year and we ended up gelding him. He had a good comeback run at Dundalk and he didn’t get much cover two starts ago at Dundalk. We ran him back a bit quick after that at the Curragh, which was a mistake and he boiled over with the blinkers on. He might run in the premier handicap over a mile at the weekend and he is a horse with plenty of ability. He is also entered in the listed race at the weekend.
ARCANEARS
3yo b g (810)
Arcano - Ondeafears
Mrs C Roper
He is a homebred and Carol Roper, his owner, has been a great client of ours for a long time. He won his maiden at the Curragh and he got what I thought was a high enough mark. You can put a line through his last run as he got upset in the stalls which is not like him. We’ll wait for an ease in the ground before he runs.
BLACKGOLD FAIRY
3yo br f (6-149)
More Than Ready -London Bid
Zhang Yuesheng
She is a very nice filly and she has won her maiden and was fourth to Mendelsohn in a listed race earlier in the year at Dundalk. She’ll more than likely head to Killarney for a fillies’ listed race next month and in time she will make a lovely broodmare for her owner. I’m hopeful that she is a stakes filly and it would be very important to get some blacktype for her. She likes good ground.
CASTLE GUEST
9yo b g (1580/90605004-6)
Rock Of Gibraltar - Castelletto
Paul Rooney
He has been a great servant and I’d like to think that he’ll get an opportunity to get his head in front when we get a little ease in the ground over 10 furlongs.
Claregate Street - has been running well on the turf. Photo Healy Racing
CLAREGATE STREET
4yo b f (00/032135-5145)
Helmet - Eaton Street
River Syndicate
She has done well this season, winning a nice handicap at Dundalk for the River Syndicate who lease her. She has developed into a good filly for us and she has been running well on the turf. Ten furlongs is a good trip for her and she’ll get a mile and a half and is best suited by a little ease in the ground.
COCKALORUM
3yo b c (244)
Cape Cross -Opinionated
Godolphin
He has been a consistent horse and he was placed a few times in Dundalk and the ground may have been a bit quick for him the last day at Listowel. He looks a winner in waiting and he’ll go for a handicap or a maiden and I’ll just wait for a little ease in the ground before we run him again.
CLOAK OF DARKNESS
3yo b c
Iffraaj - Cape Of Night
Godolphin
He goes well and his work is good and he is ready to start off but he looks good enough to win his maiden. He has size and scope and we like him.
INTERMEDIA
3yo ch f (8)
Intello - Dubai Smile
Godolphin
She is a lovely big filly that we like. She didn’t run last year, but she started off at Gowran where she came home well and she’ll appreciate nice ground. A mile will be a good trip for her and I’d expect her to win her maiden.
Kalaxana winning the Ulster Oaks - "She can only get better with racing"
KALAXANA
3yo b f (02-211)
Rock Of Gibraltar - Kaladena
HH Aga Khan
She has done well for us and she won her last two starts and after she won her maiden at Gowran, she stepped up in trip to win the Ulster Oaks well last Saturday. She loves fast ground and is a big, scopey filly. She can only get better with racing and she could go to Roscommon for the Lenabane and after that, we’ll look at the Give Thanks Stakes at Cork.
KATIYMANN
6yo b g (194953121-64)
Shamardal - Katiyra
Paul Rooney
He has been another fine money-spinner for Paul Rooney, who is great supporter of ours and he won a premier handicap last year at Dundalk. He ran a nice race on Guineas weekend and we’ll try him possibly at the weekend. He likes a strong run race and loves to arrive late and while the handicapper might just have him at the minute, there are more races to be won with him.
KERINEYA
3yo b f (1)
Elusive City - Kerisa
HH Aga Khan
She is a nice filly that we didn’t get to run last year and she won at Naas tonight. She works well and is very straightforward.
LUMINIST
3yo b f (8)
Teofilo - Bright Morning
Godolphin
She was a bit backward to run last year, but she ran well on her first start at Naas and James Doyle liked her. We’ll step her up to 10 furlongs, she’d appreciate a little ease in the ground and I think she is capable of winning her maiden.
LUNA’S LUCK
4yo b g (6-320005)
Vale Of York - Over The Tylery
James Mathews
He ran well earlier in the year at Dundalk, but he has struggled a bit on the grass of late. But his last run was encouraging and seven furlongs with a little ease in the ground is what he wants. He should be competitive in his own grade and he should be able to get his head in front when he gets his conditions.
Massif Central and Pat Smullen winning at Dundalk "He is a fine, big scopey horse" Photo Healy Racing
MASSIF CENTRAL
4yo b g (3232/04421-3)
Arcano - Melaaya
Paul Rooney
Pat Smullen suggested that we buy this horse last year at the Goffs Sale at Leopardstown and he won his maiden well at Dundalk and we gave him a good break after that. He is a fine, big scopey horse that has filled into his frame and he ran a very nice race in the mile handicap on Guineas weekend and he has come forward. He’ll go for the mile premier handicap at the weekend and he is a horse that we bought with view to aiming him at some nice races in Dubai. I think he could develop into a stakes horse and he loves good ground.
PETTICOAT
4yo b f (82/1437-6)
Cape Cross - Minidress
Godolphin
We kept her in training this year as we felt that she had more to give and she ran a lovely race on her first start at the Curragh on Guineas weekend and she’ll take her chance in the fillies handicap today. Seven is a good trip for her and we’ll try and get some blacktype for her later on the in the year. She’ll get a mile and she loves fast ground.
MISS SNOSSYBOOTS
4yo ch f (768374142252-)
Rip Van Winkle - Nick’s Nikita
N Hartery
She won for us last year and is back with us again, but she had a little setback a while ago which held her up. She is nice filly and her dam was a good improver at four and I’d be hopeful that she’ll develop into a nice filly for the second half of the season. She is about four/six weeks off a run and she likes good ground and gets a mile and a half. She has the scope to improve.
PIENTA
3yo b c (62-)
Liaison - Belen
Mrs Wendy O’Leary
He was second in a maiden to Platinum Warrior at Dundalk and he is a fine, big scopey horse that we like. He had a little setback after that, but he is back fine again now and a mile will suit him. He is a nice horse and will improve with racing and we’ll try to win a maiden with him. He could develop into a nice for the second half of the season.
PLATINUM WARRIOR
3yo gr c (821-641)
Galileo - Laugh Out Loud
Zhang Yuesheng
He did his final bit of fast work at the Curragh on Tuesday and that went well and he goes for the Irish Derby on Saturday. He is horse that has improved with racing and I haven’t had many Galileos, but he is a gorgeous horse that loves good ground. He looked smart when he won his maiden last year and he ran better than his finishing position would suggest at Navan and he stepped up on that when fourth in the Derby Trial at Leopardstown. He won the Gallinule well and he ran around a bit when he hit the front that day, suggesting that there was more in the locker and he has come forward since and I think the step up to a mile and a half will suit him.
We are under no illusions about the Derby and his rating suggests that he’ll have to improve again, but he loves fast ground and I am looking forward to running him. We’d be thrilled if he finished in the first four and he comes into the race a fresh horse. It is a big step up into Group 1 company, but he has earned his place in the race and he looks great and he has grown and gotten much stronger over the last few months. It’s Mr Zhang’s first Group 1 runner and he has been a huge supporter of ours and I’m thrilled for him that has a very progressive young horse.
RAZOUL
3yo b c (2-6)
Mastercraftsman - Saree
Ballygallon Stud Limited
He was second on his only run last year and we ran him back at Leopardstown on good ground where he ran a good race but he’d prefer ground with a slight ease. We’ll wait now until he gets his ground, but he is a very straightforward horse that I’d like to think should win his maiden.
SALTSONSTALL
4yo ch g (216/9-2310)
Pivotal -Macleya
Godolphin
He was a good two-year-old that missed most of last year with a few little niggly problems and we took the decision last year to geld him. He has had a good season, finishing second in the Lincoln and winning a competitive handicap at the Curragh on Guineas weekend. We took him to Ascot for the Hunt Cup and he ran a good race, but he was probably drawn in the wrong side. William Buick was very happy with him and there are more good races to be won with him. A mile is a good trip for him and he wouldn’t mind a little ease in the ground. I’d say the ground at Ascot was a shade too quick for him too. I’d say he’ll step up into listed/Group 3 company the next day.
SPIRIT OF BIG BANG
3yo b g (4)
Intikhab - Crossing
Eric Koh
He is a nice horse that didn’t run last year, as he was immature. We started him off at the end of May at Leopardstown where he came home well to finish fourth in what looked a good maiden. He has improved and I think a mile will be a good trip for him and he’d prefer a little ease in the ground. He should win his maiden.
SURROUNDING
5yo b m (2114234-51)
Lilbourne Lad - Roundabout Girl
P.E Newell
She has won three for us and she won well last week at Fairyhouse and she got no penalty for that success. She loves her racing and I put a tongue tie on her the last day and I think that helped her. She is a homebred filly and she is owned by the Newell family, who are wonderful people to be involved with as they love their racing. She’ll go for the premier fillies’ handicap at the weekend and we’ll try and get some blacktype later in the year. Seven is a good trip for her and she loves good ground.
Terzetto -a filly with a great attitude Photo Healy Racing
TERZETTO
3yo ch f (213)
Iffraaj - Calando
Godolphin
She is a lightly-raced filly that has won her maiden and she ran very well when placed in what looked a competitive handicap at the Curragh on Derby weekend. We had intended running her at Ascot, but she came in season. While she is not very big, she is a filly with a great attitude and there are more races to be won with her. William Buick liked her a lot and she’ll line up in those good mile handicaps and later on we’ll try and get some blacktype for her.
TIRMIZI
5yo b g (1/7/61-506)
Sea The Stars -Timabiyra
Paul Rooney
We bought him at Leopardstown at the Champions Weekend Sale and he is a fine, big scopey horse that we like. He won over a mile and six last year for Dermot (Weld) and he has had two runs for us and we are just finding out more about him. I think 10 furlongs is far enough for him and he ran a good race the last day and he holds and entry at the Curragh at the weekend. He has been dropped a few pounds which will help him and he is a nice horse and I’m sure that he’ll be competitive in some good races.
YAMATO
5yo b g (16807/081687-8259)
Big Bad Bob - Himiko
T Kimura
He is a good, honest horse that has won twice for us and he has been dropped down to mark of 65 and I think he’ll be competitive off that. Shane rode him the last day and thought that we might try him over a bit further than a mile. He likes a slight ease in the ground and I’d be hopeful that he’ll win a handicap or two for us on grass. I’d imagine he’ll be one for Dundalk later.
VIVIANITE
3yo b f (5-55)
Teofilo - Crystny
Ballygallon Stud Limited
She is a lovely filly. She started favourite for her maiden at Dundalk, but she ran very green that day. She ran well again in what looked a strong maiden at Leopardstown and she loves fast ground. She looks well up to winning her maiden and we’ll try and get some blacktype for her later in the year. Unfortunately her saddle slipped at Naas on Wednesday.
TWO-YEAR-OLDS
BALEFIRE
b c Shamardal - Patent Joy
Godolphin
He grew plenty in the spring so we gave him a chance but we like him and he goes well. He’ll start off in the next month or so.
CARTESIENNE
ch f Pivotal - Modern Deals
Godolphin
She is a lovely filly that will probably want seven furlongs. She is still a bit weak but we like what we have seen to date and she’ll be a lovey filly for the second half of the season.
DILLYGASS
b f Requinto - Sandbox Two
Carol Roper
We bought her at the Goresbridge Breeze-Up for Carol Roper. She is a May foal and her breeze was good. She is a lovely, sweet filly.
JASIKAN
bl/br c Bated Breath - Adelifa
CBR Syndicate
He’s a nice horse that works well and I trained his half-brother and sister to win races at two, but this lad is a different type to them. We have a nice bit done with him and I think he’ll win his maiden. We’ll start him off over seven.
KARASI
ch c Excelebration - Kerisa
HH Aga Khan
He has done very well and grew plenty in the spring. He works nicely and he isn’t that far off a run. We like him.
LALIPOUR
b c Rock Of Gibraltar - Lidaya
HH Aga Khan
We sent him home for the May grass and he is back cantering. He is a solid hardy, horse with a good mind that we’ll get going in the next six weeks or so.
LETHAL TURBO
gr c (02)
Lethal Force - Privet
Sammy Ma
I was annoyed with myself for running him on heavy ground the first day at the Curragh and he went onto run a blinder when second at Fairyhouse. He has improved and he should have no bother winning his maiden.
MALVOLIO
ch c Farhh - Philae
Godolphin
He’s a nice horse and it is incredible how much he has changed since he arrived. He is from the family of Dee Ex Bee. I think he’ll be a lovely horse for the second half of the year.
MY AQUARIAN
b/br f Dubawi - My Renee
Y. Zhang
She has a beautiful pedigree and she is a gorgeous filly. She just needs a bit of time and I think she’ll develop into a lovely filly for the second half of the season.
NONSTOP TALKER
b c Poet’s Voice - Talkative
CBR Syndicate
He was a relatively cheap horse for a new syndicate. He’ll be ready to run soon and while he might take a run, he goes well and we like him.
OLYMPIC HEROINE
b f Olympic Glory - Hideaway Heroine
Imperial Crown Syndicate
She is a lovely filly. We gave her a couple of weeks off for the May grass. She’ll start off somewhere in a seven-furlong maiden and we like her.
PISCEAN DREAM
b f Dream Ahead - Tanzania
Y. Zhang
She is a late foal so we are no rush with her. She goes well and is a good tough filly that isn’t that far off a run.
PLAYA DEL PUENTE
br c Elzaam - Playamongthestars
CBR Syndicate
This lad is out of a Galileo mare, he is a gorgeous-looking horse and will be one for the second half of the season. He has done all that has been asked of him to date and he goes well.
RATHMOYLAN COVE
b f (6)
Kodiac - Salmon Rose
Knockenduff Stud
She ran very nicely race at Naas on Wednesday and I’d expect her to improve plenty for that. She finished out her race well and will appreciate the step-up to seven furlongs. She likes good ground.
RAYOUNPOUR
b c Cape Cross - Rayina
Aga Khan
We had a nice bit done with him, but he weakened off a bit so we gave him a break and he is just cantering away. He’ll want seven furlongs and is out of a good, tough mare.
SPELGA
b c Sir Percy - Emma’s Gift
P. Rooney
We bought him at Goresbridge and he has settled in nicely. I loved him at the sales and he’s one for the backend.
STORMY DANIELS
br f Swiss Spirit - One Night In May
CBR Syndicate
It took her a while to come to hand but she goes well and we like her.
TAKE SILK
b f Shamardal - Raw Silk
Godolphin
She is a tall filly but she always worked well and will be ready to run in about a month’s time. She is one of our better fillies and she has the scope to improve and make into a gorgeous filly for next season.
TIFFINDELL
ch f Ravens’s Pass - Nadia
Godolphin
She is a good moving filly with a great attitude and will be ready to get start next month.
VIDIYNI
b c (439)
Siyouni - Virana
Aga Khan
He ran two solid races but he disappointed for no apparent reason the last day. On the basis of his first two runs, he looks capable of winning his maiden over six or seven furlongs on a sound surface.
WILD MUSTANG
b c Invincible Spirit - Propaganda
E. Koh/Y. Zhang
He is a little bit backward so he will take a bit more time. He has done all that has been asked of him and I am sure that he’ll be a nice for the second half of the season.
METAL MAN
ch c Australia - Nicks Nikita
N Hartery
We trained his dam and we know the family well. This horse is with us about a month and he has been cantering and he has a lovely way of going. We’ll let him tell us when he is ready to start.
GRUFALO
ch c Bungeinthejungle - Park Approach
R McNally
We bought him at Goresbridge and he is a lovely actioned colt that has settled in well. We like him and he looks a five/six-furlong horse and he’ll be ready to run as soon.
UNNAMED
gr f Dark Angel - Sinaniya
HH Aga Khan
She is a nice filly by a very good sire. Her work has been good and she goes well. I’d be disappointed if she didn’t make into a nice filly for the second half of the season.
UNNAMED
b c Exceed And Excel - Sequined
Cantillon/Donoghue
He is in the process of being named and he came to us from Newmarket. He is a big, good-looking horse, he is a great mover and we like this lad a lot.
UNNAMED
ch f Frankel - Maids Causeway
Godolphin
She will be named shortly and she is a beautiful big filly with a great attitude. She will be one for the backend and she is a very likeable filly that goes well.
UNNAMED
b f Invincible Spirit - Sendmylovetorose
M Enright
She is a half-sister to the horse that was third in the Commonwealth Cup. She is a homebred filly that only came to us recently and she will take a little bit of time. She has a lovely pedigree and what we have seen we like.
UNNAMED
ch c Rip Van Winkle - Shebella
HH Aga Khan
He goes well and he has a great stride on him. He is a clear-winded horse and we gave him the May grass. A lovely horse for the backend.
UNNAMED
b f Sea The Moon - Hanakiya
HH Aga Khan
She is a half-sister to Huania who won a Group 3 recently. She is a straightforward filly and she will start off in six weeks or so. She goes well.