Another huge weekend of racing is quickly drawing upon us, but before we hit the weekend, all eyes will be focused on Leopardstown for the 2022 Desmond Stakes. Here we preview everything you need to know.
Bahrain Turf Club Desmond Stakes Preview
Grade 3, 1 mile, open horses to three and over. Total prize pool £50,000
At the time of writing seven horses have been declared for this year’s Desmond Stakes. A race that has been running since the 1970s, the majority of racing royalty that hails from the Emerald Isle have enjoyed some form of success in the race, and this year several of Ireland’s best are looking to add their names to the list of prestigious winners.
Several horses will enter this year’s Desmond following wins last time out. Top of the weights will be Charterhouse who was a comfortable winner last time out in handicap company. Tried at this level previously, it just hasn’t clicked for Charterhouse. Trainer John Joseph Murphy will be hoping he can rewrite the script here as his horse will arrive in good form following his recent victory.
Many people’s pick for the race is Marbling. Trained by G M Lyons, his charge ran out a narrow winner in the Group 3 Brownstown Stakes. There is no guarantee that he will be able to repeat that performance, but as a previous winner in this grade, his chances can’t be ignored.
Lyons also saddles Juncture. At just 3, Juncture is one of the youngest runners in the field and will be competing against older horses here. A runner in Group 1 and Group 3 races in the past he will be looking for his first graded win here.
Boundless Ocean is the third horse who enters the race following a win last time out. Arguably the most highly tried horse, Kevin Manning’s mount has found Group 1 company too hot to handle but appreciated the drop back in class to Group 3 racing as he run out a comfortable winner of the Green Room Meld Stakes. He looks certain to play a part in proceedings.
Jonny Murtagh won this race last year with Create Belief, and he will be hoping in Raadoberg he has another contender here. On paper, it looks like Raadoberg has a lot to find, but his shrewd trainer knows how to ready a horse for a big race and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him run a big race.
Easily the most interesting horse in the field is the Luke Comer-trained Eskimo Komet. Having just raced four times, Eskimo Komet is taking a big step in class here. A winner of just one of his four starts, he will need to run a career best to emerge on top here. At just three there could be improvement to come and his trainer will hope this will be the case.
Joseph O’Brien has had a great season and is looking to win his second graded contest in as many weeks following his success in the Ballyroan Stakes with Gear Up. His runner in this race Voice of Angels is another who is looking to make his mark for the first time in graded company.
It’s been a busy season for Voice of Angels and this will be his seventh run of the season. Only once has he won this year and this will be his first run at this level this season. It would be foolish to discount a Joseph O’Brien-trained horse but a win here looks unlikely.
2022 Desmond Stakes Odds & Prediction
Despite there being just seven runners in the field, this looks like a race that will be fiercely contested. With many runners having not enjoyed success at this level, we think it makes sense to back a horse that has won in Grade 3 class and backing BOUNDLESS OCEAN to record his second successive Grade 3 victory could be the smart play.
| HORSE | JOCKEY | ODDS BY JAZZSPORTS |
| Charterhouse | Shane Foley | +1200 |
| Marbling | Gary Carroll | +900 |
| Raadobarg | Ben Coen | +300 |
| Boundless Ocean | Kevin Manning | +200 |
| Eskimo Komet | Chris Hayes | +15000 |
| Juncture | Colin Keane | +333 |
| Voice Of Angels | Dylan Browne McMonagle | +900 |
Stay tuned for the latest Breeders’ Cup Odds. Check out the World’s major Racetrack Entries, and Horse Racing Results and don’t forget to Sign-up and get up to a 10% horse rebate. We offer the best promotions! Terms & Conditions here!
Raise your winning opportunities with our Horse Betting Guide. We have a guide for all levels! Beginners, Intermediate Handicappers!
Follow us on Social Media for more 2022 Desmond Stakes updates!