The win completes a perfect season for the son of Gailleo who has achieved wins in his five races in 2024.

Trained at Ballydoyle by Aidan O’Brien and owned by a partnership of Moyglare Stud and Coolmore Stud, the six-year-old was regaining the title he won two years ago.

Favourite upstaged in Moyglare Stakes

Race favourite Bedtime Story (4/5 favourite) was upstaged by her stable companion Lake Victoria (11/2) in the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes.

The seven-furlong race for fillies saw Lake Victoria and Wayne Lordan come late and wide down the home straight to claim victory, winning eventually by a length and a quarter at the line.

The Ollie Sangster-trained British challenger Simmering (17/2) finished second, with Exactly (20/1) a short-head further back. There was another head back to Red Letter with Bedtime Story being run our of it, finishing last of the five runners.

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The Joseph O’Brien-trained 12/1 chance claimed the scalp of the 4/5 favourite Henri Matisse, trained by the winning handler’s father, Aidan.

Scorthy Champ, ridden by Donegal jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle, had three-quarters of a length in hand on runner-up Henri Matisse, under Ryan Moore, with British raider Seagulls Eleven (7/1) the same distance further back with Oisín Murphy in third.

First winner in Ireland for Hollie Doyle

Bradsell gave jockey Hollie Doyle her first winner in Ireland this afternoon in the Group 1 Bar One Racing Flying Five Stakes.

Trained by Archie Watson in England, the four-year-old son of Tasleet led home a British-trained clean sweep with the visitors claiming the first six places.

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Marquand had earlier won the Group 1 Coolmore America ‘Justify’ Matron Stakes aboard Porta Fortuna for Donnacha O’Brien, but this time he teamed up with British-based trainer William Haggis to claim the €1.25 million race.

The son of Night of Thunder held off last winner’s Auguste Rodin and Ryan Moore as the Aidan O’Brien-trained winner failed by a neck at the line to win a seventh Group 1 race.

The Japanese runner, Shin Emperor, was third a further three-quarters of a length behind the runner-up.

Economics becomes the first British-trained winner of the Group 1 Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes since Oisín Murphy guided Roaring Lion to victory for John Gosden in 2018.

Interestingly, this afternoon was Economics’ Group 1 debut and he becomes the first horse since Pentire in 1995 to break their Group 1 maiden in the Irish Champion Stakes.

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One of the two Group 1 contests on day one of the 2024 Irish Champions Festival, it was a fourth success at the highest level for the daughter of Caravaggio.

Trained by Donnacha O’Brien, the three-year-old had finished runner-up in the QIPCO 1000 Guineas at Newmarket in May before claiming Group 1 wins in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket.

She becomes only the third favourite to win the race in the last 11 years, the previous two were Legatissimo in 2015 and Tahiyra last year.

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With 25,000 fans reportedly travelling from the USA, Dublin was awash with the gold and white of Georgia Tech and the garnet and gold of Florida State.

Background

The Florida State University Seminoles, who won 10 games in 2022 and 13 games in 2023, are the only team in the ACC and one of just 12 nationally to reach double-digit wins in 2022 and 2023. Prior to kick-off today, Florida State has won 12 consecutive conference games, the 3rd-longest active conference win streak in the nation.

Georgia Tech returned 16 starters from last year’s team, which went 7-6 overall, 5-3 in ACC play (good for a tie for fourth place in the 14-team conference standings), earned its first bowl berth since 2018 and its first bowl victory since 2016 with a season-ending 30-17 triumph over UCF in the Gasparilla Bowl.

The last meeting of the sides, at Tallahassee, Florida, on November 5^th 2022 saw the Mike Norvell-coached side come out on top, on a score line of 41-16. Florida State who lead Georgia Tech 2-0 in games played at neutral sites

Early lead for Florida State

A 28 yard rushing touchdown from Lawrance Toafili at the end of his side’s first drive of the game, put Florida State, the number 10 ranked US college team, into the lead. A two-point conversion attempt was successful when Brian Courtney successfully crossed to give his side an 8-0 advantage.

The designated home team, Georgia Tech, immediately responded with a 79 yard 6-play drive which saw quarterback Zach Pyron rush over from one yard out, before Aidan Birr had little difficulty in adding the conversion to leave just a point between the sides with 7:26 remaining in the first quarter.

Backup Q̶B̶ Bulldozer

@espn
pic.twitter.com/iJnFez6pRL

— Georgia Tech Football (@GeorgiaTechFB) August 24, 2024

Shanahan sees early action

Kerry’s David Shanahan came on to punt with just over a minute remaining in the opening quarter. The Georgia Tech kickers punt went 44 yards, to the Florida State 25, where it went out of bounds. A second punt later from the Irishman – in the third quarter – travelled further, this time 49 yards to the Florida State 33 yard line.

Exactly as they had done at the start of the game, Florida State began the second quarter sprightly. A scoring dive of 8 plays, covering 41 yards and taking 5:11 minutes gave Ryan Fitzgerald the opportunity to kick for points. He duly obliged, increasing the Seminoles’ advantage to 11-8 with 11:06 to play to half-time.

Georgia Tech take the lead

The Brent Key-coached Georgia Tech finally took the lead in the game with over three minutes to play to the half-time interval. Wide receiver Jamal Haynes was push over by his team for a rushing touchdown at the end of a 7:53 drive, which covered 75 yards and involved 14 plays. An Aidan Birr kick dissected the posts to put the Bobby Dodd Stadium-based side into a 14-11 lead with 3:13 still on the second-quarter clock.

Just when Georgia Tech looked as those they would head to the half-time locker room with the lead on the scoreboard, Ryan Fitzgerald kicked an incredible 59 yard field goal as they clock was running out, to level the scores. The Fitzgerald kick, his second successful attempt matching his haul in the last clash between the sides, was a fitting end to a 9-play 34 yard drive.

Half-time score: Georgia Tech 14 Florida State 14

The first and only score of the third quarter came early in the period saw an Aidan Birr field goal attempt for Georgia Tech from 51 yards drift right and wide of the posts, leaving the score at 14-14 heading into the deciding 15 minutes of the opening game of the 2024 college football season.

Final Quarter

Georgia Tech, who had ended the previous quarter camped on the Florida State line, ran in for a touchdown through Jamal Haynes on the resumption of play. His two yard run in touchdown was converted by Aidan Birr, to seven points [21-14] between the Yellow Jackets and the Seminoles.

HAYNES HAYNES@GeorgiaTechFB TAKES THE LEAD.

@ESPNCFB x @cfbireland

pic.twitter.com/v1lExEqYFf

— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) August 24, 2024

A one-yard rushing touchdown scored by Roydell Williams was the the final of 15 plays in an 8:18 drive by Florida State. Ryan Fitzgerald stepped up again to deliver a successful conversion, tying the sides with 6:33 minutes remaining in the game.

In the dying second of a tight game, Aidan Birr kicked a 44 yard field goal for Georgia Tech go give them a tight 24-21 win in a game which had a great atmosphere throughout.

Final score:  Georgia Tech 24  Florida State 21

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According to equiratings, Tipperary rider Denis Lynch has jumped five clears from six round in this class since 2012 and has most podium finishes with three during this time.

Sligo’s Richard Howley won the Cashel Palace Hotel Stakes last year with Equine America Consulet de Prelet Z. His winning margin was 2.33 seconds.

Other Irish riders to have tasted success in this class since 2012 include in 2018 Shane Sweetnam with Indra van de Oude Heihoef; 2017 Bertram Allen with Izzy by Picobello; 2015 Paul O’Shea and Skara Glen’s Machu Picchu and 2012 Alexander Butler aboard Will Wimble.

Equiratings rate the following as the top-three contenders for today’s Cashel Palace Hotel Stakes: Kevin Staut [FRA] with Beau de Laubry Z, Conor Swail [IRL] and Count Me In and Ben Maher [GBR] and Point Break

The French combination arrive in Dublin following a five-star Grand Prix success at Dinard, which earned a prize of €125,000. Their career best performance together was their last outing in July.

Conor Swail and Count Me In were the home heroes in the Nations Cup of Ireland two years ago. At 17 years of age, Count Me In is the joint-oldest horse in the field today. His last three rounds at today’s height of 160cm were all clear.

Briton Ben Maher and his original Olympic horse Point Break, have the second highest expected round one clear chance (56%), according to equiratings, behind Conor Swail and Count Me In (57%). The British combination have already jumped 10 five-star 160 clears from just 18 career attempts.

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The main International class on day one, the Sport Ireland Classic, saw a field of 50 combinations take to the Main Arena.

This class brought further success for the home combinations, with Offaly’s Darragh Kenny and Chic Chic leading the victory lap after a clear round in 69.17 seconds.

Mikey Pender and HHS Los Angeles, who really went for Kenny’s time, were slightly slower – coming home clear in 70.20 seconds for the runner-up position.

American McLain Ward, last of the 50 combinations to go, took third on the podium, after a 70.96 clear round with First Lady.

Cian O’Connor and Fermoy, who had lead the class for a while, eventually finished in fourth place – 71.83 seconds.

There will be 15 international classes throughout the five days, including the Underwriting Exchange Nations Cup of Ireland for the award of the Aga Khan Trophy.

The highly anticipated Defender Puissance will be the main attraction in the Main Arena on Saturday evening, while the Rolex Grand Prix of Ireland, part of the Rolex Series, will the the final international event in the Main Arena on Sunday, 18 August, 2024, the final day of the 2024 Dublin Horse Show.

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The runner-up spot went to Niamh McEvoy and Templepatrick Welcome Limmerick – stopping the timers in 53.46 seconds.

Derry’s Daniel Coyle and Lena VDL were also clear in a slightly slower time of  54.53 seconds – good enough for third place.

The Minerva Stakes by LHK Insurance was the second International class in the Main Arena on Wednesday. This class went the way of Belgium through Emilie Conter and Ocean Quality. Their clear round in 56.42 was unbeatable.

Julien Gonin of France, riding Estrella De La Batia, claimed the second spot, with a clear round in 57.91 seconds.

Best of the Irish combinations in this class was Olympian Cian O’Connor, who took the third position with Fox Chapel – they went clear in 58.15 seconds.

There will be 15 international classes throughout the five days, including Friday’s Underwriting Exchange Nations Cup of Ireland for the award of the Aga Khan Trophy.

The highly anticipated Defender Puissance will be the main attraction in the Main Arena on Saturday evening, while the Rolex Grand Prix of Ireland, part of the Rolex Series, will the the final international event in the Main Arena on Sunday, 18 August, 2024, the final day of the 2024 Dublin Horse Show.

The post Wins for Francis Derwin and Emilie Conter at Dublin Horse Show appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The previously unbeaten Kodiac filly maintained her 100% record when taking the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes over six furlongs, the highlight of an eight-race Saturday card at flat racing’s headquarters.

Sent off the 5/2 second favourite behind the Aidan O’Brien-trained son of No Nay Never, Whistlejacket (8/13 favourite), Babouche gave Tally Ho Stud stallion Kodiac an eighth individual Group 1 winner.

The Ballydoyle runner, Whistlejacket, in the hands of Ryan Moore was second, one and a half lengths behind the winning filly, with the Adrian Murray-trained, David Egan-ridden 16/1 chance Arizona Blaze coming home third, a length and three-quarters behind the runner-up.

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The champion National Hunt conditioner training the winner of a major race at an Irish racing festival was no surprise, but what was a shock was the 50/1 price of the winner in the hands of English amateur rider David Dunsdon.

Right at the bottom of the handicap, carrying 10-13, Dunsdon came late and wide on the eventual winner in the colours of Coldunell Limited to take victory in the opening day feature by three and a half lengths.

Another big-priced runner, Baltic Bird (25/1), ridden by County Cork jockey Johnny Barry for owner/trainer Bill Durkan. Spasiba (8/1), another Closutton runner, this one the mount of Jody Townend was third one and a half lengths behind the runner-up.

Eleven-year-old Lord Erskine was fourth for trainer Harry Rogers at 33/1 another one and three-quarters of a length back in fourth place.

Lot Of Joy (4/1f), another Willie Mullins-trained runner, ridden by his son, Patrick, eventually finished in 9th place.

Danny Mullins and Richard O’Brien claim 2024 Festival opener

The well-supported Feud (16/5) was an easy winner of the opening The Galmont Hotel and The Galway Bay Hotel Novice Hurdle.

Ridden by Danny Mullins for Richard O’Brien, the winner was well placed throughout the 2 miles 130 yards contest, before putting three and a half lengths between himself and the runner-up Mordor (15/2), the mount of Sam Ewing for the Gordon Elliott stable. Pigeon House (4/1), who was close to the front of the field throughout crossed the finishing line in third place, a further six and a half lengths behind.

The race favourite, the French-bred Willie Mullins-trained Sysko (9/4f) was never a threat, and finished in fourth place on his Irish debut.

County Meath-trained double on day one

Father and son Matthew and Kevin Smith teamed up to easily win the Easyfix Handicap Hurdle over 2 miles 130 yards.

The Co Meath outfit claimed the win Son Of Hypnos (16/1) who was a facile 10-length winner over Clonburg Bridge (16/1), with Vischio (10/1) and Harley Street (17/2) taking third and fourth places respectively.

Smith’s fellow Co Meath-based conditioner Jack Davison also returned to the winner’s enclosure, with Artful Approach (7/1), in The Clayton Hotel Galway Handicap.

In the hands of five-pound claimer James Ryan, the chestnut gelded son of Mehmas came on the outside of the field in the dying stages of the 7-furlong 50-80 Handicap, to take the win by one and a half lengths, with a short-head separating the runner-up and third, Cuban Confusion (10/1) and Louiescall (10/1). The 100/30 race favourite, Avatar Jet, crossed the line back in 12th place.

Rock Of Cashel loses maiden tag

Rock Of Cashel (3/1), eighth on debut at The Curragh last month, broke quickly at Ballybrit today, and was at the head of the field for the duration of the seven furlongs race.

When Wayne Lordan asked the son of Wootton Bassett to take his race, the two-year-old colt powered up the Galway hill and take a two and a quarter length win from another 3/1 shot Admiral Churchill under Billy Lee for the Paddy Twomey stable, with Joseph O’Brien’s Viking Invasion (7/1) next home, a further length behind.

The Dermot Weld-handled favourite Truth Be Told (13/8) finished fourth, another length and a half back.

Tony Mullins and Rory Cleary teamed up for success in The Grá Chocolates Handicap over 1 mile 4 furlongs and 84 yards at 7.45pm.

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