Now Or Never (Ire) (Bushranger {Ire}) will sport the Qatar Racing silks at The Curragh next weekend when lining up for the G1 Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas. David Redvers, racing manager for Qatar Racing confirmed on Saturday that Sheikh Fahad Al Thani had purchased the filly, last seen storming home in the G3 Derrinstown Stud 1000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown May 8. Bookmakers felt that performance was worthy enough to promote her to second favourite for the Irish Classic and O'Callahan is confident the 3-year-old will give a good account for her new owners who now have a number of horses in his Curragh yard. “Now Or Never is in great form and we are really looking forward to running her at the Curragh next weekend,” said O'Callaghan. “She is a filly we have always thought a lot of and she has undoubtedly improved from two to three. It is a pleasure and honour to train horses for Qatar Racing. In Blue De Vega (Ger) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and Now Or Never they have a couple of really smart 3-year-olds with me, along with some promising juveniles and it would be great to reward the faith Sheikh Fahad has shown by winning a big race for them,” added the trainer.
David Redvers is also looking forward to a good season with the filly and commented, “You couldn't be anything other than impressed by how Now Or Never won the Guineas trial. It was a very taking performance. She is a live Classic contender on the upgrade with black type already to her name, and so will make a valuable addition to our band of broodmares. But for now, we are just excited about seeing her at the Curragh in the Irish 1000 Guineas.” The sale represents a great piece of business by her former owners the Now Or Never Partnership that includes among others Noel Hayes and John Fleming. The filly cost the partnership £42,000 at Goffs UK Breeze Up last year and added £65,000 in prizemoney before her sale to Qatar Racing
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