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Bracelet Glitters In Irish Oaks

3 minute read

Bracelet gave trainer Aidan O'Brien a fourth victory in the Darley Irish Oaks at the Curragh with a determined effort in the hands of Colm O'Donoghue.

Bracelet Wins The Ribblesdale
Bracelet Wins The Ribblesdale Picture: Racing and Sports

Despite winning the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot last month, Bracelet was a 10-1 shot stepped up to Group One level.

Luca Cumani's British raider Volume took the field along for much of the mile and a half contest, but the pack had closed up by the home turn. Bracelet and stable companion Tapestry came to make it a three-way fight inside the final furlong and it was Bracelet who got the better of her stable companion by a neck to lead home an O'Brien a one-two. Volume was third.

There was controversy before the off with Volume, third in the Oaks at Epsom, having to be replated after being found to be wearing shoes on her hind legs that are not allowed to be used in Ireland. The incident caused a long delay, with the race eventually getting under way around 20 minutes later than scheduled.

For much of the journey it appeared Volume having not been in the parade ring for as long as her opponents could be a crucial factor as she bowled along clear of the field.

Even when caught she did not go down without a fight, but she eventually had to make do with minor honours.

O'Brien also saddled the fourth home Beyond Brilliance, ridden by his daughter Ana O'Brien, who was becoming the first female in history to ride in the race.

The disappointment was Dermot Weld's 7-4 favourite Tarfasha, who had filled the runner-up spot ahead of Volume at Epsom. She moved into contention early in the straight, but was a spent force inside the final furlong and passed the post well beaten in fifth.

O'Brien said: "I'm delighted for everyone. It's great for Colm. He's just got beat in this race a few times and he's also been beat in the Derby a few times. He gave her a marvellous ride and he's a world-class rider.

"She ran a great race in Ascot. I knew Joseph (O'Brien) was going to ride Tapestry if the ground was good and he was true to his word.

"Tapestry ran a great race, but she got a bit upset beforehand and circumstances conspired against her.

"This filly (Bracelet) has an incredible pedigree by Montjeu.

"Marvellous probably needs a little bit of ease in the ground and a bit of a rest now.

"We knew Dermot and Luca's fillies were the ones everyone had to beat. They were the two form horses and we knew Luca's filly would probably make the running, so the race worked out well for us.

"Beyond Brilliance did the same in Killarney. We weren't sure if she would get the trip, but Ana said she would and it was a great run.

"It's a very important race for us. It's seriously important for the fillies.

"We're in a privileged position we have such good fillies to run in the race."

O'Donoghue, securing his first Irish Classic victory following several near-misses, said: "She came into the race with a very good profile having won the Ribblesdale. They went a hard pace throughout and she ground it out well.

"She's quite calm at home. She came here on top of her form. She's bred to win the race and she's done it."

Cumani said: "As far as I'm concerned it wasn't a controversy because it's never been one in England.

"For horses that can knock themselves behind, we have what are called trailers on their hind shoes which helps them keep their hind feet apart and stops them knocking their hind legs.

"We've done this in England many times, we've done it round the world many times and it never entered our calculations that it may not be allowed here.

"As it wasn't allowed, fine. Rules are rules. We took those off and she ran well.

"It took a bit of time and I apologise for the delay we caused, but in all honesty we just didn't know this would be a problem.

"I'm here to get the filly to the post and make sure she runs to the best of her ability.

"Those shoes have helped her in the past, so we just did what was best for the filly.

"I'm sure the public were happy to see her run and not have her withdrawn.

"I got a little bit hopeful about a furlong out, but two fillies quickened up past her. She was trying to come back at the end, so all credit to her.

"I think the Yorkshire Oaks will come into the reckoning now."


At The Races
Race Replay: Irish Oaks, Curragh, Saturday 19-07-14

Curragh

Saturday, 19th July 2014

6
17:45
(local)

Darley Irish Oaks (Fillies' Group 1) (G1)

Age: 3yo Sex: F WT: 126lbs Type: OPEN
EUR €400,000
12f TURF GOOD FIRM
6
17:45
(local)
EUR €400,000
12f GOOD FIRM

Darley Irish Oaks (Fillies' Group 1) (G1)

Age: 3yo Sex: F WT: 126lbs Type: OPEN
FP Horse, Age & Sex
Sire & Dam
Jockey
Trainer
SP
WT
1st 3. BRACELET (IRE) 3yo F
MONTJEU (IRE) - CHERRY HINTON (GB)
C O'DONOGHUE
AIDAN O'BRIEN
$11
126lbs
MICHAEL TABOR & DERRICK SMITH & MRS JOHN MAGNIER
2nd 8. TAPESTRY (IRE) 3yo F
GALILEO (IRE) - RUMPLESTILTSKIN (IRE)
JOSEPH O'BRIEN
AIDAN O'BRIEN
$7.5
126lbs
MRS MAGNIER/TABOR/SMITH/FLAXMAN STABLE
3rd 10. VOLUME (GB) 3yo F
MOUNT NELSON (GB) - VICTOIRE FINALE (GB)
K J MANNING
LUCA CUMANI
$5
126lbs
MR S STUCKEY

Sales Information

4th 2. BEYOND BRILLIANCE (IRE) 3yo F
HOLY ROMAN EMPEROR (IRE) - CHARROUX (IRE)
ANASTASIA O'BRIEN
AIDAN O'BRIEN
$81
126lbs
5th 9. TARFASHA (IRE) 3yo F
TEOFILO (IRE) - GRECIAN BRIDE (IRE)
PAT SMULLEN
DERMOT K WELD
$2.75
126lbs

Sales Information

6th 5. MAID OF THE GLENS (IRE) 3yo F
THE CARBON UNIT (USA) - THERE'S A LIGHT (IRE)
R P WHELAN
JOHN PATRICK SHANAHAN
$101
126lbs

Sales Information

7th 4. LUSTROUS (GB) 3yo F
CHAMPS ELYSEES (GB) - TAMZIN (GB)
PAT DOBBS
RICHARD HANNON JR
$21
126lbs

Sales Information

8th 6. MARVELLOUS (IRE) 3yo F
GALILEO (IRE) - YOU'RESOTHRILLING (USA)
RYAN MOORE
AIDAN O'BRIEN
$4.5
126lbs
9th 1. BALLYBACKA QUEEN (IRE) 3yo F
HURRICANE RUN (IRE) - ZANKARA (FR)
FRAN BERRY
P A FAHY
$51
126lbs

Sales Information

10th 7. PALACE (IRE) 3yo F
FASTNET ROCK (AUS) - LADY ICARUS (GB)
SEAMIE HEFFERNAN
AIDAN O'BRIEN
$13
126lbs

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