A star was born at The Curragh on Saturday when Paddington made his Group-race breakthrough in the marquee 2023 Irish 2000 Guineas, leading home a one-two in the Classic for record-breaking trainer Aidan O’Brien. The highlight of the undercard was the G2 Greenlands, won in dominant fashion by British raider Art Power, who extended his unbeaten streak in Ireland to four.
2023 Irish 2000 Guineas
G1, 500,000 euro, 1m turf, 3yo
Paddington brings talent to bear
Normal service was resumed in the Irish 2,000 Guineas at The Curragh on Saturday when Aidan O’Brien trained the winner for a record-extending 12th time – after a five-year hiatus – as Paddington surged to an impressive victory over barnmate Cairo and Hi Royal.
Irish 2,000 Guineas Race Video
@horseracingtote Paddington wins the Irish 2000 Guineas #Horseracing #Horseracingtips #Horsesoftiktok #Horses #Horse #FYP #Sports
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The 3-1 second-choice was making his Group-race debut and stepped right up to the plate, sitting just off front-runner Hi Royal until moving to the lead inside the final furlong and finishing off strongly, pulling clear under Ryan Moore to win by an easy two lengths from the rallying Cairo. Hi Royal held on gamely for third, three-quarters of a length further back.
The hot favorite Royal Scotsman was a huge disappointment, finding nothing for pressure and dropping out to finish ninth of the 11 runners.
“He’s a fine, big horse and is maturing well,” said O’Brien, for whom this was a scarcely believable 48th Irish Classic win. “He’s very classy and very exciting.”
Paddington was stretching his winning streak to four, his only defeat coming on debut, and is now likely to head to Royal Ascot for the G1 St James’s Palace over a mile on June 20.
2023 Irish 2,000 Guineas Payouts
| Horse | Win (euro) | Place (euro) |
| 1. Paddington | 3.80 | 1.70 |
| 2. Cairo | 3.40 | |
| 3. Hi Royal | 2.10 |
Winning time: 1m 40.80s
2023 Greenlands Stakes
G2, 120,000 euro, 6f turf, 4yo+
Power play so effective
Horses for countries was the new story as British raider Art Power took his record over course and distance to three-for-three – and his record in Ireland to four-for-four – with a thoroughly dominant victory in the Greenlands, blitzing clear of longshot Big Gossey and Ano Syra.
Greenlands Stakes Race Video
@horseracingtote Art Power remains unbeaten in the G2 Greenlands Stakes 2023 #Horseracing #Horseracingtips #Horsesoftiktok #Horses #Horse #FYP #Sports
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The grey six-year-old is trained in Britain but hasn’t won there for nearly three years, his last four successes all coming in Ireland. There was never any doubt here, the 2-1 joint-favorite breaking on top under Oisin Murphy and making all the running. Art Power had the race safe a furlong and a half out and drew off to win by four and three-quarter lengths; there was a half-length between the placed horses.
“He’s a gorgeous superstar of a horse,” said trainer Tim Easterby. “He loves the Curragh and I couldn’t tell you why – it’s like going home for him.”
There are races for Art Power – who was gelded in January, relatively late in his career – at Royal Ascot, including the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee over six furlongs, but quite understandably Easterby is focusing on another trip across the Irish Sea for the G1 Flying Five back here in September.
2023 Greenlands Stakes Payouts
| Horse | Win (euro) | Place (euro) |
| 1. Art Power | 2.80 | 1.20 |
| 2. Big Gossey | 5.00 | |
| 3. Ano Syra | 3.00 |
Winning time: 1m 12.02s
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