Kingsfort became a group I winner in just his second lifetime start as he powered to a neck victory in the Ladbrokes.com Vincent O’Brien National Stakes (Ire-I) at the Curragh Sept. 12.
The victory provided trainer Kevin Prendergast and jockey Declan McDonogh with a sweep of Ireland’s top two juvenile races. Two weeks ago, the pair teamed up to capture the Moyglare Stud Stakes (Ire-I) with Termagant.
Taking the lead from the pacesetting Beethoven a furlong-and-a-half from the wire, Kingsfort accelerated nicely for McDonogh and had plenty left to hold off the late charge of Chabal by a neck.
Beethoven held on well for third, 1 3/4 lengths behind Chabal. Even-money favorite Alfred Nobel weakened late and finished last. Final time for the seven furlongs was 1:33.63 over the soft going.
Bred in Kentucky by Airlie Stud, Kingsfort is by War Chant, out of the winning Kris mare Princess Kris. Kingsfort is a half-brother to Prince Arch, who won the 2005 Gulfstream Park Breeders’ Cup Handicap (gr. IT), in addition to the Jefferson Cup (gr. IIIT) and Saranac Handicap (gr. IIIT).
Alandi Surprises in Irish St. Leger
Mick Kinane and John Oxx teamed up to win a group I event once again, this time with the Aga Khan-owned Alandi in the Irish Field St. Leger (Ire-I).
Placed forwardly by Kinane, Alandi rated comfortably in third as Godolphin’s Schiaparelli attempted to make all the running under Olivier Peslier. Alandi moved up to challenge Schiaparelli as the field entered the home straight, and took command with 150 yards left. The 4-year-old son of Galileo had enough left in the tank to hold off the late charge of Clowance by a half-length.
Schiaparelli ran on at one pace to finish third, another five lengths further back. Yeats, making his first start since winning the Gold Cup (Eng-I) at Royal Ascot, never was a factor and finished last. Final time for the 14 furlongs was 3:14.82 over the soft going.
Alandi was bred in Ireland by his owner, His Highness the Aga Khan. He is out of the stakes-winning Darshaan mare Aliya, and hails from the immediate female family of champions/group I winners Alamshar, Nishapour, and Nassipour.