A son of Camelot, trained by Aidan O’Brien, Darkness Falls won the Group 1 Golden Fleece Stakes at Leopardstown during Irish Champions Weekend, but this afternoon came back from nine to seven furlongs to claim his second win at the highest level this season.

Ridden by Ryan Moore, the juvenile colt got the better of the race favourite Desert Castle (10/11), with William Buick in the saddle, and Darkness Falls has now overtaken the Godolphin-owned colt at the top of the betting market for the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket next May.

Great Barrier Reef (15/2), ridden by Wayne Lordan, finished in third place, with Gentle Hurricane (50/1) next home for Andrew Balding and James Doyle.

Earlier on the seven-race card, O’Brien, Moore and the Coolmore partners took the Group 3 Native Trail Zetland Stakes with Drumbeat (10/11 favourite) easily defeating Wykehurst Park (7/2) and Apulia Bay (5/1) respectively.

Alphone La Grande Wins Cesarewitch for Martin & McGettigan

Tony Martin and jockey Patrick McGettigan teamed up for success in the Club Godolphin Cesarewitch Handicap as Alphonse La Grande (18/1) became a two-time winner of the two-mile two-furlong heritage handicap.

Found-pound claimer McGettigan got his mount up on the line to deny the 4/1 race favourite Sea Lantern, with Joseph O’Brien’s J.P. McManus-owned nine-year-old Dawn Rising (6/1) coming home in third place in the hands of Ryan Moore.

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A daughter of Ballylinch Stud’s Lope de Vega, the juvenile filly is now four wins from four after her success over the Rowley Mile.

Ridden by William Buick, the Godolphin-bred and owned filly was a one-length winner over Aidan O’Brien’s big-priced Haven (28/1), the mount of Ryan Moore, with Forbidden Fire (8/1) three-and-a-half lengths further back in third for Oisín Murphy and Andrew Balding.

The winner, Musical Times, who looked green in running, stayed on well at the end, and her trainer Charlie Appleby stated post-raced that she was now likely to head straight for the 1000 Guineas over the same course and distance next May.

For Haven, who won a Dundalk maiden a few weeks back, her run was a major step-up in effort, and she will now be among the Ballydoyle mix for the 1000 Guineas in either Ireland, England or France next year.

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The two-mile contest, worth €275,000 to the winning connections, was the feature of an eight-race card on day two of the Autumn Racing Weekend at flat racing’s headquarters.

in 2025
in 2026

Chally Chute makes amends for an unlucky defeat in last year’s Irish Cesarewitch by defying a 5lb higher mark this time around.

A cracking result for the @rosullivan82 team pic.twitter.com/I5dTbZzlDR

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 27, 2026

Chally Chute, the top-weight with 9 stone 11 pounds, is owned by Julie White, one of the joint-breeders, with Dominic O’Neill, of the son of Fast Company, and was improving on last year’s runner-up spot in the race.

The eight-year-old won by a half-length from the Willie Mullins-prepared Sirius (28/1), with Galileo Dame (25/1), a neck further back, followed home by Madbadanddangersous (80/1) in fourth place.

Soul Love Wins Group 3 Renaissance Stakes

Karl Burke, a prominent visitor to Irish shores, claimed the Group 3 Qatar Racing Renaissance Stakes over six furlongs with Soul Love (5/2 joint-favourite). Ridden by French jockey Pierre-Louis Jamin, the chestnut filly had three-quarters-of-a-length in hand on The Curragh specialist, Big Gossey (12/1) at the line.

The nine-year-old grey runner-up was four lengths ahead of the other joint-favourite, Power Blue in third.

Made all, made all

It’s yet another successful Irish raid for @karl_burke as Soul Love makes every single yard in the G3 Renaissance Stakes.

Lovely ride, @pljamin25 pic.twitter.com/fK9yGu3OYk

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 27, 2026

Curracloe Remains Unbeaten

Johnny Murtagh’s Gowran Park maiden winner Curracloe (13/8 joint-favourite) remains unbeaten after two career starts following today’s victory. Successfully stepping up directly from a maiden to Group 3 company, the Qatar Racing-owned juvenile filly ran out a length-and-three-quarters winner for Ben Coen.

A filly going places

Curracloe, a daughter of first-season sire Baaeed, makes it 2-2 with a dominant success in the G3 @DarleyStallions Fillies Stakes.@JohnnyMurtagh | @BenCoen2 | @Qatar_Racing pic.twitter.com/BT2KyUSNBI

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 27, 2026

The runner-up, Alpine Wedding (7/2), for Saturday’s successful Goffs Million-winning combination of Paddy Twomey and Billy Lee, had two-and-a-quarter lengths to spare over Damsel In Distress (13/8 joint-favourite) in third.

Doubles for O’Brien and Coolmore

Aidan O’Brien and the Coolmore partners opened the day with a quick-fire double, taking both maidens.

Raging Bull (1/2 favourite), bred by Whisperview Trading, had a head to spare over the John Murphy-handled Overhead Drive (14/1) in the Army Equitation Centenary Irish EBF Maiden. The juvenile son of Wootton Bassett was ridden by Ryan Moore.

JUST

Raging Bull backers were made to sweat but the son of Wootton Bassett eventually got the job done under Ryan Moore.@curraghrace | @coolmorestud pic.twitter.com/3RkSkAPA21

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 27, 2026

It was Inishannon, Co Cork, jockey Wayne Lordan who was in the saddle for the second Ballydoyle winner, Capability Brown (4/1), in the Izuzu Ireland Irish EBF Maiden over a mile and one furlong. Drawn on the rail, and prominent throughout, the Coolmore-bred son of Dubawi out of the Gailieo mare, Maybe, held off the late challenge of Colin Keane on Juddmonte’s Cluster (2/1) by two-and-a-quarter lengths.

Joseph O’Brien and Joey Sheridan teamed up to take the penultimate race on the card, the Kwiff More Bang For Your Bet Nursery, with 5/2 joint-favourite Moon Sand, while the finale of the weekend went to Fianna (4/1) for jockey Oran McGill and trainer Aidan Howard.

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In the colours of the Coolmore partners, the daughter of Justify was winning for a fifth times from seven career starts.

Trained at Ballydoyle by Aidan O’Brien, and ridden by Ryan Moore, the two-year-old out of the Starspangledbanner daughter Etoile Bleu ran out an easy six-and-a-half length winner over Green Express (3/1) and Colin Keane.

Dancing Destiny (14/1), like the runner-up, trained by Joseph O’Brien, finished third one-and-three-quarter lengths furthar back, under jockey Declan McDonagh.

“She looks a freak.”

Aidan O’Brien offers a succinct analysis of Sun Goddess following her jaw-dropping success in the Moyglare …

Could she return to action in two weeks’ time? pic.twitter.com/MQ5oXFZsNE

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 13, 2026

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Trained in Moone by Jessica Harrington, the four-year-old son of Too Darn Hot, was a recent winner at the highest level in Germany when winning over 1m 2f at Munich on 26 July.

For jockey Shane Foley, this afternoon’s win was the biggest of his career to date, as the Silverton Hill Partnership-owned bay colt held off the late challenge of the supplemented Deauville Group 3 winner Wimbledon Hawkeye (33/1) by a nose.

𝐇𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐳𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐥 (50/1) causes a HUGE shock by edging out Wimbledon Hawkeye in the Irish Champion Stakes!

The big guns have been spiked!@Jessica_Racing | @BahrainTurfClub | @WorldPool pic.twitter.com/cTaLqmBitW

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 12, 2026

The Christophe Soumillon-ridden George Scott-handled runner-up was three-quarters-of-a-length ahead of the race favourite Constitution River (11/8 favourite) in the hands of Ryan Moore.

Almaqam (9/2), who finished ahead of the Aidan O’Brien-trained Constitution River in the Group 1 Juddmonte International at York last month, was fourth to cross the winning line, one-and-a-quarter lengths further back.

The win was a 16th Group 1 success for veteran trainer Jessica Harrington, who stated post-race:

“We have always believed in this horse. It is so fantastic to win this. He is in the Champion Stakes at Ascot in October and we will probably go there next.”

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Trained by Aidan O’Brien, the juvenile son of Camelot, ran out a ready winner in the hands of Ryan Moore, taking the contest by four-and-a-half lengths.

”Darkness Falls has swept by them.”

Strong in the market beforehand, the favourite lands the now Group 1 Golden Fleece Stakes with something to spare.@HKJC_Racing | @WorldPool | @Ballydoyle pic.twitter.com/xqt8pp6Y6d

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 12, 2026

Second was 12/1 shot Jesus Green for Joseph O’Brien and Colin Keane, while English challenger Quest For Stars (15/2) for James Doyle and Charlie Appleby.

Darkness Falls, who was an easy Curragh maiden winner last time out, has now been installed as favourite for the Betfred Derby 2027 at Epsom following today’s success.

Winning trainer Aidan O’Brien said:

“He was very impressive at the Curragh the last day. Ryan said he will get a mile and a quarter next year. The trip will be no problem. He has a lot of class. It was a proper gallop and there was no hiding place. He can go anywhere. He is not going to need soft ground. He is a Camelot who is going to be a Guineas horse plus and that’s the way his Dad was.”

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Love Me Tender, a German purchase for Willie Mullins, heads the market for the Sky Bet Ebor Handicap, as the Closutton handler bids to win this race for the third time in four years. The four-year-old, who hasn’t run for almost 300 days, will be the mount of William Buick, and is in the same ownership as last year’s winner, Ethical Diamond.

Galway maiden hurdle winner, Mr Hollywood, is another Closutton representative and the third-place finisher in the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot will have the assistance of Saffie Osborne.

Colin Keane, Andrew Balding and Juddmonte have all had a very successful week at York, and they could have another win here with Tarriance. A previous course and distance winner, the four-year-old gelding had a nice prep race for the Ebor when fourth at Goodwood 21 days ago.

Ryan Moore is booked to ride Emit for Joseph O’Brien. Fourth in the Duke Of Edinburgh at Royal Ascot in June, the English jockey maintains his partnership with the bay son of Too Darn Hot. This is significant as Moore has often ridden for Willie Mullins in many of the major staying races in Britain. Choosing to remain loyal to the Flaxman Stables Ireland Ltd gelding should not be overlooked.

Poetic Sound will represent Ger Lyons. The five-year-old son of Poet’s Word will wear blinkers for the first time, and he will be ridden by Gary Carroll.

The final Irish runner is the Henry De Bromhead-trained Ascending. He was runner-up to Ethical Diamond in the Sky Bet Ebor last season and had previously won the Ascot Stakes over two-and-a-half miles. The mount of Oisín Orr might look a decent each-way bet at around 20/1.

Sky Bet City Of York Stakes

There also the Group 1 Sky Bet City Of York Stakes on Saturday with 14 runners going to post.

Puerto Rico and Power Blue will represent Aidan O’Brien and Robson Aguair respectively, but the 2024 Betfred 2000 Guineas and Sussex Stakes winner, Notable Speech, will be all the rage to give Charlie Appleby a winner. Incredibly, the Godolphin trainer hasn’t had a runner during the first three days of the four-day meeting.

The Queen Anne Stakes winner at Ascot, Ten Bob Tony, the mount of Kieran Shoemark, was only two-and-three-quarter lengths behind Bow Echo in the Sussex Stakes, so should be involved here, while the Group 2 Lennox Stakes winner, Lake Forest, should also come into the reckoning.

Irish-trained runner at York on Saturday:

1.50 Sky Bet Strensall Stakes (Group 3)

Expanded (IRE) A P O’Brien
Geryon (IRE) G M Lyons

2.25 Sky Bet Melrose Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)

Limestone (IRE) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Sharkeyboy (FR) W P Mullins
Bay Of Stars (GB) D K Weld
Vantage Code (IRE) Emmet Mullins

3.00 Sky Bet City Of York Stakes (Group 1)

Power Blue (IRE) Robson Aguiar
Puerto Rico (IRE) A P O’Brien

3.35 Sky Bet Ebor Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)

Mr Hollywood (IRE) W P Mullins
Emit (IRE) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Poetic Sound (IRE) G M Lyons
Ascending (IRE) Henry De Bromhead
Love Me Tender (GER) W P Mullins

4.45 Julia Graves Roses Stakes (Listed)

Hanney Boy (IRE) Miss E McCutcheon

5.20 Sky Bet Dav Reid Finale Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)

Diego El Queso (IRE) G M Lyons

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With 18 horses declared for the five-furlong sprint, Wesley Ward’s once beaten, Bacio, winner of the Palace Of Holyroodehouse Handicap at Royal Ascot in June, is expected to go off as favourite for jockey Juan Hernandez.

Juddmonte reclaimed most of their sponsorship money on Wednesday when winning the Juddmonte International Stakes with Item, and Coolmore will attempt the same feat in the Nunthorpe with Mission Central.

Bred by Gigginstown House Stud, the gelded son of No Nay Never also won at Royal Ascot over five furlongs. He was a winner of the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes from Rayevka, who also re-opposed today, and will provide a strong challenge, and Overpass.

The Aidan O’Brien-handled Mission Central disappointed the last day when only seventh in the Group 1 Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai July Cup Stakes at Newmarket, and it was noticeable that he faded in the final furlong. Back down to five furlongs on Friday, he should be more suited to the distance and should be in the final shake-up.

For last year’s winner, Asfoora, this may be her final race for trainer Henry Dwyer, who will hope to see her retire to the breeding shed on a positive note. She will again be the mount of Oisín Murphy.

Weatherby’s Lonsdale Cup

The Group 2 Weatherby’s Lonsdale Cup Stakes for the stayers goes to post at 2.25pm. The £250,000 contest sees the return of Cabelloa De Mar from his exertions in the God Cup at Royal Ascot in late June. The son of Phoenix Of Spain will represent George Scott and will be the mount of Oisín Murphy.

Amiloc has not won since the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2025, and was well supported the last day before jockey Hector Crouch was unseated leaving the stalls in the Group 1 Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup Stakes. Rossa Ryan, the son of Postponed’s regular rider will take the mount on Friday.

Illinois will represent Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore, with the in-form Colin Keane teaming up with Willie Mullins’ runner, Columbus. The Paddy Twomey-handled Carmers is now a non-runner.

Irish-trained runners at York on Friday, 21 August 2026.

1.50 Sky Bet Mile Handicap (Heritage Handicap)

Krasimir (IRE) G M Lyons

2.25 Weatherbys Lonsdale Cup Stakes (Group 2)

Columbus (GER) W P Mullins
Illinois (IRE) A P O’Brien

3.00 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes (Group 2)

Marco Polo (IRE) A P O’Brien

3.35 Coolmore City Of Troy Nunthorpe Stakes (Group 1)

Mission Central (IRE) A P O’Brien

4.10 Assured Data Protection Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)

Truth Be Told (IRE) M C Grassick
Zanndabad (IRE) A J Martin

4.45 British Stallion Studs EBF Convivial Maiden Stakes (GBB Race)

Benjamin Hornigold (GB) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Oklahoma (USA) A P O’Brien

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It was a second Group 1 victory in two days for Keane and Juddmonte, having won the Group 1 Juddmonte International Stakes with Item yesterday.

The Andrew Balding-trained Kalpana, winner of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on her most recent racecourse appearance, started today’s contest as the 10/11 favourite in the nine-runner field.

Her opposition included the winner of this race last year, Minnie Hauk (4/1), and the recent Group 1 Juddmonte Irish Oaks winner, Johanna Walsh (5/1), the mount of Dylan Browne McMonagle.

Sugar Island, the stable mate of the betting market’s second choice, Minnie Hauk, set a strong pace under Ronan Whelan, and the pair found themselves about 20 lengths ahead as they headed for the home bend.

The daughter of Dubawi found for Whelan in the straight and made the remainder of the field work to close the gap, before she was finally headed at the one-furlong pole.

As Kalpana and Keane took the lead at that stage, Jim Bolger’s Sparán Nua (25/1), with Rossa Ryan in the saddle, went second, while Minnie Hauk and Ryan Moore were third.

The favourite soon began to drift as she battled for the line, with Sparán Nua, in the Newton Anner Stud colours, staying on strongly to challenge the eventual winner, as Minnie Hauk didn’t have the pace to live with either of the main protagonists.

As they hit the finishing line, Kalpana had an advantage of a half-length over Sparán Nua, while the Aidan O’Brien-trained Minnie Hauk was two-and-a-half lengths behind the runner-up.

Earth Shot (20/1), Tattycoram (25/1) and Johanna Walsh, who had all been prominent in the earlier stages of the race, faded to finish fourth, fifth and sixth respectively.

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Ridden by Ryan Moore, the Aidan O’Brien filly was carrying a penalty for her recent Group 1 Phoenix Stakes success at The Curragh.

Held up towards the rear of a big field of runners, the daughter of Sioux Nation was hampered when making her original challenge.

Moore switched the juvenile to the right with more than a furlong to run, but she still had plenty to do to become a major player at the business end of the race.

Once she got daylight and the assistance of Moore in the saddle, the Group 1 winner made striking headway before she took the lead with a furlong to race.

She quickly put daylight between herself and the remainder of the field, and the result was crystal clear within strides, as she ran out a most-impressive six-length winner.

Battle Fever, and 80/1 shot, took second for Kevin Ryan and Kevin Stott, with Speed Of Sound (40/1), next home, three-quarters-of-a-length further back, in the hands of Saffie Osbourne.

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