This past Saturday at the Curragh saw two Grade 3 races which saw some of Ireland’s premier trainers clash. Both the Royal Whip Stakes and Irish St Leger Trial were fantastic races, and we review the best of the action here.
Royal Whip Stakes
Win – Luxembourg -450
Place – Insinuendo +750
Show – Realism +6600
G3, one mile and two furlongs, open to horses three and over. Total prize pool €50,000
What a race! The history books will say that this year’s Royal Whip Stakes was won by the Aiden O’Brien-trained Luxembourg, but it was so much closer than that.
A previous winner at the highest level, Luxembourg has just been beaten once in his career and the expectation was that this return to Grade 3 company would be a procession.
It turned out to be anything but.
Held up, Ryan Moore looked perfectly content to sit in mid-division. As the runners hit the three-furlong pole, Moore asked for more and the response wasn’t forthcoming.
At the two furlong marker, Moore got more and more animated and Luxembourg looked in real trouble. Although leading at the furlong marker, the Will McCreery-trained Insinuendo, joined Luxembourg and looked to be the horse traveling the better.
Asking for everything that Luxembourg had, the horse rallied and in the dying strides in the lead up to the line stuck his nose in front to snatch victory by a head.
It would have been a run that left trainer Aiden O’Brien with mixed emotions. On the one hand, he would have been delighted by his horses’ battling quality, but with bigger tests to come it will be a concern he only just won this inferior race. It will be fascinating to see where Luxembourg ends up next.
@horseracingtote Luxembourg makes a winning return and wins the 2022 Royal Whip Stakes #Horseracing #Horseracingtips #Horsesoftiktok #Horses #Horse #FYP #Sports
♬ original sound – horseracingtote
Irish St Leger Trial Stakes
Win – Raise You +125
Place – Search For A Song +150
Show – Moon Daisy +1100
Group 3, one mile six furlongs, open to horses three and over. Total prize pool €50,000
Arguably the headline race of the day was the Irish St Leger Trial Stakes. A Group 3 race in its own right, the winner of the race would also get a place in the Irish St Leger due to be held later this year.
Just six headed to post for this year’s race but the betting was tight. Just shading favoritism was the Joseph O’Brien-trained Raise You. He was closely followed by the Dermot Weld-trained Search For A Song.
Traveling like a well-fancied horse, Raise You was happy to be pulled along by the early pace-setter Seattle Creek but made his move four furlongs from home.
The aggressive move by Shane Crosse caught out several of his rivals and Chris Hayes upon Search For A Song tried to match Raise You’s move.
The move by Hayes would turn out to be vain. As the horses hit the two-furlong pole, it was clear that Raise You was the horse traveling much the better. Managing to find another gear, he powered clear of his rival at the furlong marker and ran out an easy and comfortable winner.
The top two had separated themselves out from the rest of the field, and despite finishing a distant second Search For A Song held on easily for second place.
Clearly, a horse going places, it will be fascinating to see how Raise You performs in the St Leger. He could stand a real chance.
@horseracingtote Raise You takes the G3 St Leger Trial Stakes #Horseracing #Horseracingtips #Horsesoftiktok #Horses #Horse #Sports #FYP
♬ original sound – horseracingtote
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 Royal Whip Stakes & Irish St Leger Trial Stakes news & updates!