By Tom Frary
After another weekend of weekends for Ballydoyle, the kiln was kept firing at The Curragh's re-opening on Monday when Happen (War Front) played her part by winning the G3 Coolmore Gleneagles Irish EBF Athasi S. Seven furlongs was theoretically going to prove on the sharp side for the daughter of the stable's G1 English, Irish and Yorkshire Oaks heroine Alexandrova (Ire) (Sadler's Wells), but Ryan Moore had it ideally judged as he delivered her to the front with her final stride for a short-head verdict over Dan's Dream (GB) (Cityscape {GB}). Runner-up to the subsequent G1 1000 Guineas runner-up Lady Kaya (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) in the Apr. 6 G3 Ballylinch Stud 1000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown, the 11-4 second favourite was last approaching two out but the stamina her dam imparts saw her swallow up last year's G3 Fred Darling S. winner and the long-time leader Rionach (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}), who was a neck away in third.
Aidan O'Brien is eyeing the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas back here May 26. “Her dam was always best doing that and she couldn't come from far enough back,” he said. “Ryan said she won't mind stepping up to a mile, so that's where we will go next.”
Happen, who had won narrowly on her third maiden start over seven furlongs at Leopardstown in October, is a half-sister to the stable's G2 Dahlia S. and G3 Snow Fairy S. winner and G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup runner-up Somehow (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) and also the dual group-winning stayer Alex My Boy (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}). The aforementioned Alexandrova is also responsible for Bella Qatara (Ire) (Dansili {GB}) who produced the Listed Cocked Hat S. winner and recent G3 John Porter S. runner-up Aspetar (Fr) (Al Kazeem {GB}). She is a half to the G1 Cheveley Park S. scorer Magical Romance (Ire) (Barathea {Ire}) and a full-sister to Masterofthehorse (Ire) who was third in the G1 Epsom Derby. Also connected to the G1 Irish Oaks heroine Chicquita (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) and her half-sister Magic Wand (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) who took last year's G2 Ribblesdale S. and was placed in the GI Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational S., G1 Prix Vermeille and G1 Prix de l'Opera, she has a yearling colt by Mastercraftsman (Ire).
Monday, The Curragh, Ireland
COOLMORE GLENEAGLES IRISH EBF ATHASI S.-G3, €80,000, Curragh, 5-6, 3yo/up, f/m, 7fT, 1:26.72, g/y.
1–HAPPEN, 123, f, 3, by War Front
1st Dam: Alexandrova (Ire) (Hwt. 3yo Filly-Ire at 11-13f, Hwt. 3yo Filly-Ire at 9 1/2-10 1/2f, MG1SW-Eng, G1SW-Ire & G1SP-Fr, $1,210,034), by Sadler's Wells
2nd Dam: Shouk (GB), by Shirley Heights (GB)
3rd Dam: Souk (Ire), by Ahonoora (GB)
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GROUP WIN. O-Mrs John Magnier & Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith; B-Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt (KY); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. €47,200. Lifetime Record: 5-2-1-0, $79,848. *1/2 to Alex My Boy (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}), 2x Hwt. Older Horse-Ger at 14f+, MGSW-Fr, GSP-Ger & SP-Eng, $239,416, & to Somehow (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), Hwt. Older Mare-Ire at 7-9 1/2f, GSW-Eng & Ire, $371,345. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Dan's Dream (GB), 135, f, 4, Cityscape (GB)–Royal Ffanci (GB), by Royal Applause (GB). O/B-Hunscote Stud (GB); T-Mick Channon. €15,200.
3–Rionach (GB), 135, f, 4, Sea the Stars (Ire)–Forest Crown (GB), by Royal Applause (GB). (125,000gns Ylg '16 TAOCT; €140,000 2yo '17 GOFHIT). O-Robert J W Moran; B-Car Colston Hall Stud (GB); T-Michael O'Callaghan. €7,200.
Margins: NO, NK, 1 1/4. Odds: 2.75, 7.50, 33.00.
Also Ran: Hand On Heart (Ire), Foxtrot Liv (GB), Titanium Sky (Ire), Drombeg Dream (Ire), Indian Blessing (GB), I Remember You (Ire), Luceita (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
COOLMORE GLENEAGLES IRISH EBF ATHASI S.-G3, €80,000, Curragh, 5-6, 3yo/up, f/m, 7fT, 1:26.72, g/y.
1–HAPPEN, 123, f, 3, by War Front
1st Dam: Alexandrova (Ire) (Hwt. 3yo Filly-Ire at 11-13f, Hwt. 3yo Filly-Ire at 9 1/2-10 1/2f, MG1SW-Eng, G1SW-Ire & G1SP-Fr, $1,210,034), by Sadler's Wells
2nd Dam: Shouk (GB), by Shirley Heights (GB)
3rd Dam: Souk (Ire), by Ahonoora (GB)
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GROUP WIN. O-Mrs John Magnier & Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith; B-Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt (KY); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. €47,200. Lifetime Record: 5-2-1-0, $79,848. *1/2 to Alex My Boy (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}), 2x Hwt. Older Horse-Ger at 14f+, MGSW-Fr, GSP-Ger & SP-Eng, $239,416, & to Somehow (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), Hwt. Older Mare-Ire at 7-9 1/2f, GSW-Eng & Ire, $371,345. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Dan's Dream (GB), 135, f, 4, Cityscape (GB)–Royal Ffanci (GB), by Royal Applause (GB). O/B-Hunscote Stud (GB); T-Mick Channon. €15,200.
3–Rionach (GB), 135, f, 4, Sea the Stars (Ire)–Forest Crown (GB), by Royal Applause (GB). (125,000gns Ylg '16 TAOCT; €140,000 2yo '17 GOFHIT). O-Robert J W Moran; B-Car Colston Hall Stud (GB); T-Michael O'Callaghan. €7,200.
Margins: NO, NK, 1 1/4. Odds: 2.75, 7.50, 33.00.
Also Ran: Hand On Heart (Ire), Foxtrot Liv (GB), Titanium Sky (Ire), Drombeg Dream (Ire), Indian Blessing (GB), I Remember You (Ire), Luceita (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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