Merchant Navy Kicks Off European Campaign in Style

Mark Smith - Sunday May 27

Coolmore Stud stakes hero Merchant Navy kicked off his European sojourn on a winning note by making light of his top-weight in Saturday's Group II Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands Stakes (6f) at the Curragh.

Making his first start for Aidan O'Brien, the son of Fastnet Rock came from well off the pace under Ryan Moore to power home by a length from stablemate Spirit Of Valor (War Front), with Tasleet (Showcasing) a length and a quarter away in third.

Advertisement

O'Brien said he felt it was important for Merchant Navy to have a run before venturing to Royal Ascot.


"You'd be delighted with him, obviously. We felt he was just ready to come and the whole reason for running him was to see before we went to Ascot," O'Brien told Sporting Life.

"We felt that he was at a racecourse gallop stage. The lads in Australia said he was a very good horse, so we just took it totally on trust. He did five little canters, that's all he did.

"Ryan was very happy with him. The plan is to go to Ascot for the six-furlong race (Diamond Jubilee Stakes) and I think he has to go after that.

"I think he's only here for Ascot and then gone after that, whatever (stallion) commitments he has.

"I thought there would be a lot of improvement in him. I was just hoping for a nice run today, that's all, so it's all a plus.

"He wasn't stopping, but he's obviously not short of speed, either.

"He made a good bit of ground up from halfway and Ryan was riding him that way because we were afraid he would get tired."

A $350,000 Inglis Easter purchase from the Segenhoe Stud draft, Merchant Navy was making his first start since finishing third behind Redkirk Warrior in the Group I Newmarket Handicap at Flemington on March 10.

The royally-bred son of Fastnet Rock out of the Group III winning Snippets mare Legally Bay is likely to tackle the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot before returning home to take up stud duties at Coolmore Stud this spring where his fee has been set at $55,000.


Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Tuesday June 3
Here is the full list of 30 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Stakes Performed Zousain Filly Too Good At Doomben
Third in the Listed Calaway Stakes two starts back, lightly raced two-year-old Zousain filly Sweet Pretender produced the goods at Doomben, charging late to win the Mullins Lawyers QTIS Two-Year-Old Maiden Plate (1350m).
Wootton Bassett 2YOs on the March
Wootton Bassett’s star Northern Hemisphere two year-old Albert Einstein has been ruled out of Royal Ascot with a sprained joint that will require a few weeks off, but the red hot sire added two more talented debut winning juvenile colts at The Curragh overnight.
$1500 Weanling Becomes $525,000 Top Lot at MM National Yearling Finale
A colt by Harry Angel set a new benchmark in Australia for his sire and topped the final day of the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale when selling for $525,000 to conclude a hugely successful two weeks of sales.
Frosty Girl impressive on debut
The Chris Waller-trained Frosty Girl made the perfect start to her career when coming from last to land the Asahi Super Dry Plate (1300m) on debut at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
Pride of Jenni to Visit I Am Invincible - Match Made in Heaven
Three-time Champion Sire I Am Invincible has been confirmed as the first mating for reigning Australian Champion Racehorse of the Year Pride Of Jenni, who will head to the breeding barn this season following a phenomenal racing career.
Blueblood Import - American-Bred Jillaroo Records First Win
Purchased at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale by Ciaron Maher, the now 4yo mare Jillaroo (USA) (Curlin) initially started her racing career in the United States but after an Australian debut second at Caulfield in early May, recorded her maiden victory at Doomben.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday June 4
Here is the full list of 48 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Second Winner For Ghaiyyath As Observer Scores By Five
Second on debut when just three parts of a length off the winner at Pakenham, the James Cummings’ trained Observer (Ghaiyyath) looked sensational as he made a mess of his rivals to score over 1400m in the Tile Importer Handicap on the Sandown Lakeside course.
Written By Filly Dominates Warwick Farm Juvenile Contest
First seen at the two-year-old trials back in September, Marc Conners’ chestnut filly Penpel (Written By) produce a quality effort at just her second racetrack appearance, racing clear at Warwick Farm to score by more than three lengths.