Duke of Marmalade is proving to be a worthy successor to former stablemate Dylan Thomas after notching his second consecutive group I victory in the Tattersalls Gold Cup (Ire-I) at the Curragh May 25. The 4-year-old son of Danehill landed his first win at the highest level in the Prix Ganay (Fr-I) at Longchamp in April.
Fellow Aidan O’Brien trainee Red Rock Canyon went to the front and set a generous pace as Johnny Murtagh settled into second aboard Duke of Marmalade. At one point during the early stages, Red Rock Canyon had as much as an eight-length lead on the rest of the field.
Murtagh was never concerned however, as Duke of Marmalade began to reel in his stablemate with just over two furlongs to go. Duke of Marmalade then took command, as the filly Finsceal Beo began to mount her challenge out in the center of the course.
The pair dueled for a few strides, then Duke of Marmalade began to draw off, eventually winning by 1 1/4 lengths. Finsceal Beo was clearly second best, finishing six lengths in front of Red Rock Canyon.
Time for the 10 furlongs was 2:15.77.
O’Brien was delighted after the victory saying, “He came forward from his run in France, and we’ll hopefully go to Royal Ascot for the Prince of Wales’s (Eng-I) now.”
Duke of Marmalade is owned by Susan Magnier and Michael Tabor. He was bred in Ireland by Southern Bloodstock and is out of the Kingmambo mare Love Me True.