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.

 

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...
Sires With Winners - Friday September 6
Here is the full list of 31 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Second Season Shake Up Looms - Who Are You Tipping?
At the end of last season there were a lot of people looking to hail the first crop sires as a vintage bunch led by Too Darn Hot (GB), who broke all records for his efforts to be champion by earnings and winners for 2023/2024 with the result that he and most of his peers were given a fee increase and a month into a new season the state of play looks like this.
Lion's Roar all Courage in Wyong Cup
Lion’s Roar has been a dream horse for his connections.
One to Watch – Cranbourne
He’s a dashing grey just like his sire and blessed with an electric turn of foot which we saw today when he stepped up to 1400m for the first time.
Waller gallopers among endless highlights in online catalogue
Exceptional breeding prospects, a lifetime breeding right in exciting young sire Pierata and nine Chris Waller-trained racehorses including recent Rosehill winner Robusto headline another strong catalogue for the Inglis Digital September (Early) Online Sale.
Alabama Express Filly Set for G3 Gold Trail Stakes
Ken and Bev Kelso are no strangers to big-race success during the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival, and the Matamata trainers will attempt to add another Hastings trophy to their collection when Alabama Lass steps out as favourite in Saturday’s Gr.3 HBPB Thoroughbred Breeders Gold Trail Stakes (1200m).
Best On Breeding
Group 1 racing at Moonee Valley on Saturday with the $750,000 Charter Keck Cramer Moir Stakes (1000m) backed by three Listed stakes, while Randwick features three Group II stakes worth $300,000, a $200,000 Listed event and the Group III Southern Cross Group Concorde Stakes (1000m) with a $1,000,000 prize.
TBA Learning - Education Platform
With the breeding season almost upon us and with many new staff on farms, it's a great time to remind your team about the online education platform, TBA Learning.
Sires With Winners - Thursday September 5
Here is the full list of 38 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Big Saturday Looming for Waikato Stud
Saturday is shaping up to be an exciting afternoon for Waikato Stud, whose colours will be carried by key Group One contenders on both sides of the Tasman.