The Group I National Stakes (7f) for two year-old colts and geldings at the Curragh was robbed of race favourite City of Troy with the son of Justify (USA) withdrawn due to the deteriorating conditions after rain arrived, but Aidan O’Brien had a good replacement in blue-blood Dubawi colt Henry Longfellow.
Ridden again by Ryan Moore, Henry Longfellow made it three wins in as many starts when he proved too strong for Wootton Bassett colts Islandsinthestream and Bucanero Fuerte to win by five lengths.
“We knew Henry Longfellow would handle the ground, and he'd run only a few weeks ago. His dam handled the ground and we knew he would too,” said O’Brien.
“Everyone at home had been very happy with him and he looks a very special horse. I'd made a promise to the lads we wouldn't run City Of Troy on soft ground, so we had to be true to our word. Ryan was adamant it was closer to soft than good to yielding.
“This horse quickens, even though his dam won at up to a mile and a half. He just took off. We'll see what happens, but that might be his last run of the season. I imagine City Of Troy is the more likely of the two to run again this season.”
Joseph O’Brien was well pleased with Islandsinthestream and believes the son of Wootton Bassett can win a G1.
“That was a great run. The winner is obviously high-class, but I think we have a Group 1 colt. We'll have a look at races like the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere,” he said.
“Islandsintestream will have no problem stepping up to a mile.”
A homebred for the Coolmore partners, Henry Longfellow is the first winner for champion Galileo mare Minding, who is a full sister to Champion European 3YO Filly and Epsom Oaks winner Tuesday as well as Group I Irish 1000 Guineas winner Empress Josephine from dual Group I winner Lillie Langtry.
Henry Longfellow is the 55th Group I winner for Darley’s champion sire Dubawi, who had a Group I double at the Curragh with his staying son Eldar Eldarov taking out the Group I Irish St Leger following on from his win in the English St Leger last year.
Dubawi also featured as the grand-sire of Fallen Angel, who won the Group I Moyglare Stud Stakes to become the first Group I winner for his champion son Too Darn Hot, read about her here.
