Great Barrier Reef (Ire)

After taking up the rare position of bystander for the Queen Anne, Aidan O'Brien was back in business two races into Royal Ascot 2026 as Great Barrier Reef (No Nay Never) conquered the G2 Coventry Stakes. Partnered by Wayne Lordan with Ryan Moore on the sire's Confucius, the 6-1 shot who had taken the Marble Hill last month navigated his path from stall three far away from the stands' side to bring up a 12th renewal of the race that launched the trainer at the meeting in 1997. "Confucius is...

By the time Great Barrier Reef (No Nay Never) had crossed the line in front in Sunday's G3 Kilkea Castle Marble Hill Stakes, the weighing room collective had to admit it was Ryan Moore's world and they were just living in it. Taking his weekend Curragh tally to six-from-six including four at Group level, the supremo had to work a bit harder this time to justify picking the TDN Rising Star over the stable's other No Nay Never colt Carry The Flag but was ultimately proved right again. The pace-setting runner-up,...

All the rage for Sunday's six-furlong maiden at The Curragh, Ballydoyle's Great Barrier Reef (No Nay Never) proved the buzz was spot-on with a command performance to become the first two-year-old of the 2026 crop to become a TDN Rising Star, Presented by Hagyard. Always travelling easily tracking the pace under Ryan Moore, the 4-9 favourite loomed on the front end approaching the furlong pole and opened up for a six-length success from the 100-1 outsider Ischgl (Inns Of Court). He is the second colt to sport the title for Coolmore, with...