breednet.com.au

Melbourne Cup Possible for G2 Curragh Cup Quinella

Tara Madgwick - Sunday July 21

The Group II Comer Group International Curragh Cup (1m6f) was run overnight in Ireland with a Galileo quinella for Aidan O’Brien and both Tower of London and Grosvenor Square are somewhere in the mix for the Melbourne Cup having soundly beaten Vauban, who was favourite at Flemington last year.

Vauban was favourite for this assignment, but could manage only third as three year-old Grosvenor Square set the pace in front for Gavin Ryan and looked set for victory until Tower of London finished like an express train for Ryan Moore to win by length and a quarter.

Advertisement

Fourth in the Group I English St Leger last year, four year-old Tower of London campaigned in Saudi Arabia and Dubai earlier this year winning Group races including the Group II Dubai Gold Cup at 2m with his overall record now six wins from 12  starts.

"Ryan gave him a peach. He stays well, has got a great cruising speed and is able to quicken. He's a very good horse and can travel anywhere,” said Aidan O’Brien.

“We might look to space out his runs a bit and he could be back here for the Irish St Leger. He could be a Melbourne Cup horse. The runner-up loved the distance and he could be a Melbourne Cup horse as well."

Tower of London is a full brother to dual Group I winning stayer Capri and Group winners Passion and Cypress Creek as well as the dam of Group I winner Commissioning. He is one of seven winners from blue hen Dialafara, a winning Anabaa daughter of Group II winner Diamilina with the family also producing Bauer, who finished a very close second in a Melbourne Cup.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Ballydoyle Strikes Early with Tower Of London on World Cup Night
The 2018 Melbourne Cup hero Cross Counter won the Dubai Gold Cup (3200m) at his next start five months later, and  Tower Of London would not be out of place in the famous 2-miler at Flemington judging by his performance in Saturday’s edition of the Group II staying feature at Meydan on World Cup night.
One To Watch – Sandown
Fourth on debut behind the promising San Giovanni, who has since won again, the Annabel and Rob Archibald trained Written Tycoon colt Duke Atreides was sent south to Victoria with instant success.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday August 6
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Extremely Good Week!
It’s been a memorable week for Star Thoroughbreds having sold their multiple Group winning mare Olentia for $2.6million and then the purple and white stars were back in the winner’s circle at Canterbury on Wednesday carried by 3YO Extreme Choice colt Estremo.
Snitzel’s Tyreek Too Good On Debut At Canterbury
Off the back of two unbeaten trial performances, it was no surprise to see the John O’Shea and Tom Charlton trained Tyreek (Snitzel) start well in the money on debut before the 3yo gelding was simply too good for his rivals, winning the TAB Handicap (1200m) on Wednesday at Canterbury.
A Family Affair - Russian Camelot Filly Salutes at Sandown
Danny O’Brien enjoyed Group I success with outstanding colt Russian Camelot (IRE), so was understandably excited to produce his first metropolitan winner as a sire at Sandown on Wednesday and Censori comes from a family that he knows inside and out.
Olentia Sells for $2.6million to top MM August Virtual
Group II winning Zoustar mare Olentia was always seen as the likely sale-topper of the Magic Millions August Virtual Sale and she duly sparked interest with Olly Tait of Twin Hills Stud securing the mare on behalf of his international client Wathnan Racing for $2.6million.
2025 Cox Plate Entries – Who are the 3YO Cox Plate Dreamers?
108 entries have been received for the 2025 Group I MVRC Cox Plate (2040m) to be run on October 25 with a galaxy of stars that include 11 overseas contenders and a group of new season 3YO’s.
First foal Arrives for Mo’Unga
The Kelly family of Newhaven Park have taken an educated gamble on champion New Zealand sire Savabeel and have already struck paydirt with exciting young sire Cool Aza Beel siring Group I winning 2YO Cool Archie and now it’s time for Mo’Unga to make his mark.
Breednet Distance Sire Tables Highlight Some Home Truths
The end of season is a great time to look back and assess what has happened in terms of sire results and what may happen in the future and more importantly what all of that might mean for Australian racing.