By Sean Cronin
Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith's Nelson (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) enjoyed a profitable juvenile campaign, backing up an Aug. 17 breakthrough score going one mile at this track in his third start with victory in the Sept. 9 G3 Golden Fleece S. over that trip here once more. The bay closed last term with a neck second to subsequent G1 Racing Post Trophy runner-up Roaring Lion (Kitten's Joy) in the Sept. 30 G2 Royal Lodge S. at Newmarket and carried a three-pound impost for his juvenile highlight in this seasonal return. Sent to the fore after the initial strides and enjoying a comfortable lead until turning for home, he was shaken up inside the two pole and kept on resolutely under continued rousting in the closing stages to withstand the persistent attention of stable companion Delano Roosevelt (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and double his black-type tally. Delano Roosevelt had lowered Nelson's colours when the pair met in their July 27 debuts over one mile at this track, the former earning a 'TDN Rising Star' tag for that effort. Fellow 'TDN Rising Star' and G1 Racing Post Trophy third The Pentagon (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) was the first of four runners off the bridle, but nonetheless kept on to complete a Ballydoyle trifecta.
“Nelson handles soft ground and we had to have something make the running,” said trainer Aidan O'Brien. “He had gone forward in his races before and won around here making the running. He'll come back here next month for the [G3] Derrinstown [Stud Derby Trial] and that's what they'll probably all do. Donnacha [O'Brien] was delighted with the horse and said he stays well.”
The Ballydoyle conditioner was satisfied with the performances his other two runners and added, “Seamus [Heffernan] was very happy with Delano Roosevelt and said he just got a little bit lonely when he got there. Ryan [Moore] was very happy with The Pentagon. He wants real nice ground and will come on a ton. It was great because you need to get the racing miles into them.”
Pedigree Notes…
Nelson is one of five stakes winners for G1 Irish Oaks heroine and G1 Epsom Oaks second Moonstone (GB) (Dalakhani {Ire}), headed by G3 Chester Vase victor and G1 Epsom Derby runner-up US Army Ranger (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and G3 Munster Oaks victress Words (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Moonstone, who has also produced a yearling colt by Galileo (Ire), is herself kin to a slew of black-type performers including stakes-winning MG1SP Irish highweight L'Ancresse (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}) and G1 Prix Saint-Alary victress Cerulean Sky (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}), who in turn is the dam of G1 St Leger third and G2 Doncaster Cup-winning sire Honolulu (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
Saturday, Leopardstown, Ireland
P W McGRATH MEMORIAL BALLYSAX S.-G3, €60,000, LEO, 4-14, 3yo, 10fT, 2:26.58, hy.
1–NELSON (IRE), 132, c, 3, by Frankel%20(GB)#tot">Frankel (GB)
1st Dam: Moonstone (GB) (G1SW-Ire & G1SP-Eng, $613,532), by Dalakhani (Ire)
2nd Dam: Solo de Lune (Ire), by Law Society
3rd Dam: Truly Special (Ire), by Caerleon
O-Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith;
B-Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien;
J-Donnacha O'Brien. €35,400. Lifetime Record: 6-3-2-0,
$160,100. *1/2 to US Army Ranger (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), GSW &
G1SP-Eng, MGSP-Ire, $616,212; Words (Ire) (Dansili {GB}),
GSW-Ire; Nevis (Ire) (Dansili {GB}), MSW-Eng, $206,034; and
Stubbs (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), SW-Ire, SP-Eng & Nor,
$110,592. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
Werk Nick Rating: A+.
2–Delano Roosevelt (Ire), 129, c, 3, Galileo (Ire)–Again (Ire), by
Danehill Dancer (Ire). 'TDN Rising Star' O-Derrick Smith, Susan
Magnier & Michael Tabor; B-Orpendale & Chelston (IRE);
T-Aidan O'Brien. €12,000.
3–The Pentagon (Ire), 132, c, 3, Galileo (Ire)–Vadawina (Ire), by
Unfuwain. 'TDN Rising Star' O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier &
Michael Tabor; B-Barronstown Stud (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien.
€6,000.
Margins: HF, 8HF, NK. Odds: 1.75, 2.75, 1.60.
Also Ran: Burgundy Boy (Ire). Scratched: Lethal Steps (GB). Click for the Racing Post result. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
