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Irish Independent
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Garden blooms for Aidan O'Brien on first try over a mile and a half in Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot
Having raced handily behind runaway front-runner Island Hopping, Moore produced his mount to lead entering the final two furlongs and the daughter of Saxon Warrior cleared away to win by three and a quarter lengths. The lightly raced Understudy (40/1) stayed on from off the pace into second, with the 2/1 favourite Catalina Delcarpio half a length further back in third. A Listed winner at Naas last time, Garden Of Eden was providing O'Brien with a third consecutive Ribblesdale Stakes, following Warm Heart (2023) and Port Fairy (2024). O'Brien said: 'I was impressed with that. Garden Of Eden is getting better, which is great. We always thought stepping up in trip would help her. We stepped her up to a mile and a quarter the last day and she improved a lot. 'She is by Saxon Warrior and, when they go up in distance, they do get better. The Irish Oaks would be a possibility, but she could also go to America for a Grade 1 over there – we will have to see.' Moore said: 'Garden Of Eden was very impressive. She has been gradually improving. Aidan kept saying every time she steps up, she will get better. 'We went a hard pace and got a bit detached. She kind of dropped the bridle and ran in snatches. Billy [Lee on the favourite] sneaked down the inside but, when I asked her to quicken, Garden Of Eden quickened very well. Just typical Aidan – he keeps making them better." Understudy's co-trainer Thady Gosden said: 'She has run a very nice race there. It was only the third start of her life. She won well at Southwell last time out and it was a change of scene here today. She is a homebred of Bjorn Nielsen's, with a very good pedigree. When they are upped as much in grade that quickly, you're not quite sure how it will go, but we hoped she would run a good race, and she has.' Paddy Twomey said of the third: 'Catalina Delcarpio is a lovely filly and ran a career best. She probably just didn't see out the trip today, but I think when she is a little bit stronger and a little bit older, she will. She is just coming into herself and I think she will be a very good four-year-old. We side-stepped Epsom and races like that on purpose, because I think it was coming too soon for her. I doubt I will run her in the Irish Oaks. Maybe something like a Blandford Stakes on Irish Champions weekend, something like that, over 10 furlongs.'
The 42
27-05-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Champions League winner McCabe receives warm welcome from Irish teammates
IRELAND CAPTAIN Katie McCabe was given a guard of honour by Ireland teammates after landing at the squad's base this evening. The Kilnamanagh native was a late arrival in camp after being part of Arsenal's victory parade celebrations following their Champions League triumph against Barcelona at the weekend. On Saturday, the 29-year-old became just the fourth Irish woman to win a Champions League trophy, following in the footsteps of ex-Arsenal trio Emma Byrne, Ciara Grant and Yvonne Tracy in 2007. She was also the first Irish Champions winner since Liverpool's Caoimhín Kelleher lifted the trophy in 2019 and the first Irish player to start the final since John O'Shea in 2009. Advertisement Linking up with the squad ahead of upcoming Nations League fixtures away to Türkiye and home against Slovenia, McCabe was warmly applauded and serenaded by her Irish teammates in recognition of the momentous achievement. Our European Champion is here 🏆🌟 — Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) May 27, 2025
