The QREC-sponsored Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club Irish EBF Curragh Stakes (Listed Race) was run at the Curragh, Ireland on Sunday. Nine runners took part in the 1,000 metre contest for two-year-old thoroughbreds.
Improving filly Asean (IRE) (Ten Sovereigns x Eria) won the race for owner A M O’Brien, trainer Donnacha Aidan O’Brien and jockey Gavin Ryan to become the first black type winner for her young sire Ten Sovereigns. She came from last to first to annex the Listed race by half a length. The D Smith, J Magnier, M Tabor & Westerberg owned and A P O’Brien trained Alabama (IRE) (No Nay Never) finished second under jockey Seamie Heffernan. The Shamrock Thoroughbreds owned and Adrian McGuinness-trained Rush Queen (IRE) (Ardad) was a further half a length behind in third under jockey Ronan Whelan.
Asean was following up on a nursery success at Cork, Ireland towards the end of last month. She has had six starts so far, and with this win under her belt, she now has 2 wins and 3 placed finishes in her record.
Donnacha Aidan O’Brien said after the race: “She travelled strong. She has a lot of speed and I thought Gavin gave her a brilliant ride. She has a really good turn of foot and he rode her for that. She did it nicely in the end and it was a good performance.”