Cockney Rebel proved that his victory in the Stan James Two Thousand Guineas (Eng-I) at Newmarket earlier this month wasn’t a fluke by adding the Boylesports Irish Two Thousand Guineas (Ire-I) at The Curragh on Saturday.
Cockney Rebel, who was kept closer to the pace by jockey Oliver Peslier, held off a determined Creachadoir by one length. Aidan O’Brien’s Duke of Marmalade, who at one point shared betting favoritism with Cockney Rebel, had every chance but was beaten in a photo for third by 40-1 shot He’s A Decoy.
Cockney Rebel became the first horse since Rock of Gibraltar in 2002 to complete the Guineas double.
Vital Equine led the field as he had done at Newmarket, with Cockney Rebel tracking him comfortably in third. The Geoff Huffer-trained colt took command with just under two furlongs left to run. Creachadoir loomed to his outside, but could not get past his rival, and had to settle for second. This was the second time that the Jim Bolger trainee had finished second in a classic; he was beaten a half-length by Astronomer Royal in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains (Fr-I) on May 13.
He’s A Decoy weaved his way through the field to just pip Duke of Marmalade by a head in a photo for third.
Cockney Rebel is named after the chart-topping British band of Steve Harley, who is a close friend of the colt’s owner, Phil Cunningham. Current plans call for the son of Val Royal to go to Royal Ascot next to run in the St. James’s Palace Stakes (Eng-I). Long range goals are the Juddmonte International (Eng-I) or the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Eng-I), before going to the Breeders’ Cup.
Cockney Rebel is a 3-year-old bay colt out of Factice, by Known Fact. He was bred in Ireland by Oak Lodge Bloodstock. Time for the mile on turf rated good to firm was 1:36.1.
Isabel Morris EBF Stakes
Two races earlier on the card, 2-year-old colts and fillies took the spotlight in the listed Isabel Morris EBF Stakes going five furlongs. Pencil Hill, a son of Acclamation looked good when winning by 1 3/4 lengths.
Making the most news in this race, though, was the second place finisher, You’resothrilling. She just happens to be a full sister to Giant’s Causeway. The bay filly, who bears a strong resemblance to her big brother, raced at the back of the pack and appeared to be struggling a bit in her career debut. Once she got settled, however, she made up plenty of ground and stayed on strongly. She looks to improve over a distance of ground.
By adding the Irish Two Thousand Guineas, Cockney Rebel completes Guineas Double.
