By Tom Frary
Starting his new term having signed off with success in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, Ballydoyle's Henri Matisse (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) overcame rustiness to capture Sunday's G3 Ballylinch Stud “Red Rocks” Stakes at Leopardstown. Reserved early by Ryan Moore off the pace set by Arizona Blaze (GB) (Sergei Prokofiev), the 6-4 favourite arrived late to collar that rival and the eventual second Comanche Brave (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}). At the line, there were two half-length margins between the Wootton Bassetts and the non-staying Arizona Blaze.
“He wants to get there late and when he gets there, he waits,” O'Brien said. “He did well, because it was a good gallop and he's going to improve fitness-wise. They went hard and it was a good trial, so there is a lot of improvement to come. Ryan said he was a little bit shocked, as our horses are only doing half-speeds at home. On the quick ground they went a good gallop and Ryan said he'd definitely be more comfortable going up to a mile. Whether it will be Newmarket or France for the Guineas, we'll have to see but there is The Curragh and Ascot after that and Ryan said there is a chance he could even get further.”
JUST! 👀
Henri Matisse gets up late to make a winning return in the Group 3 Red Rocks Stakes.
That didn't look likely turning for home.
Next stop, the 2,000 Guineas?@BallylinchStud pic.twitter.com/OlbDBgpdjN
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 30, 2025
Pedigree Notes
Now the winner of four stakes races including the G2 Railway Stakes and G2 Futurity Stakes at The Curragh, Henri Matisse continues the success story of his high-achieving dam Immortal Verse (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) who captured the G1 Coronation Stakes and G1 Prix Jacques le Marois. Her daughter Tenebrism (Caravaggio) took the G1 Cheveley Park Stakes and G1 Prix Jean Prat, while she is also responsible for the G2 Airlie Stud Stakes winner Statuette (Justify).
The second dam is the Listed Prix la Camargo winner and G3 Prix Fille de l'Air runner-up Side Of Paradise (Ire) (Sadler's Wells), a half to GI Breeders' Cup Mile-winning champion sire Last Tycoon (Ire), while this is also the family of the GI Matron Stakes heroine Sense Of Style (Thunder Gulch) and the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches winner Valentine Waltz (Ire) (Be My Guest), as well as Galileo's trio of group 1-winning siblings The United States (Ire), Hydrangea (Ire) and Hermosa (Ire). Immortal Verse's yearling is a full-brother to Statuette, while she was bred to Justify again for 2025.
Sunday, Leopardstown, Ireland
BALLYLINCH STUD “RED ROCKS” STAKES-G3, €60,000, Leopardstown, 3-30, 3yo, c/g, 7f 30yT, 1:28.44, g/y.
1–HENRI MATISSE (IRE), 134, c, 3, by Wootton Bassett (GB)
1st Dam: Immortal Verse (Ire) (G1SW-Eng, G1SW-Fr, $1,053,873), by Pivotal (GB)
2nd Dam: Side Of Paradise (Ire), by Sadler's Wells
3rd Dam: Mill Princess (Ire), by Mill Reef
O-Mrs John Magnier & Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith & Merriebelle Irish Farm Limite; B-Immortal Verse Syndicate (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. €36,000. Lifetime Record: GISW-US, MGSW & G1SP-Ire, 7-5-1-0, $822,208. *1/2 to Tenebrism (Caravaggio), G1SW-Eng, G1SW-Fr, SW & G1SP-Ire, $662,772; 1/2 to Statuette (Justify), GSW-Ire. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Comanche Brave (Ire), 131, c, 3, Wootton Bassett (GB)–Ishvana (Ire), by Holy Roman Emperor (Ire).
1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Mrs John Magnier & Mrs A M O'Brien; B-Whisperview Trading Ltd (IRE); T-Donnacha O'Brien. €12,000.
3–Arizona Blaze (GB), 131, c, 3, Sergei Prokofiev–Liberisque (GB), by Equiano (Fr). (36,000gns Wlg '22 TADEWE; £82,000 Ylg '23 GOFFUK). O-AMO Racing Limited & Giselle De Aguiar; B-Andrew Bengough & Partners (GB); T-Adrian Murray. €6,000.
Margins: HF, HF, HF. Odds: 1.50, 22.00, 1.75.
Also Ran: Hazdann (Ire), Tribal Nation (GB), Rock Of Cashel (Ire), Spycraft (Fr).
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