Teofilo Packs Punch in National Stakes

Teofilo extended his winning streak to four following an impressive victory over Holy Roman Emperor in the Laing O'Rourke National Stakes (Ire-I) for 2-year-olds at the Curragh on Sunday.

The son of Galileo, who is named for Olympic boxing legend Teofilo Stevenson, sat just of the pace set by stablemate Slaney Time. The Jim Bolger trainee took command of the seven-furlong race with just a quarter-mile left to run, and easily held off Holy Roman Emperor for a 1 ¼-length victory over good to yielding ground.

Eyshal got up for third, 4 ½ lengths further back.

Teofilo's win at the Curragh capped an impressive week for his sire, Galileo. The Sadler's Wells stallion sired last Saturday's winner of the Ladbrokes St. Leger Stakes (Eng-I), Sixties Icon.

Teofilo is out of the Danehill mare, Speirbhean. He was bred by Mr. and Mrs. Bolger in Ireland, and races in Mrs. Bolger's silks.

Bolger, who trained the brilliant St. Jovite to splendid successes in both the Budweiser Irish Derby (Ire-I) and the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes (Eng-I), was asked just how good he thought his 2-year-old colt was. Bolger replied, "He's the best I've had, and after that I wouldn't know how good he is."

Bolger continued, "We'd be expecting him to stay a mile and a half next year. The (Stan James Two Thousand) Guineas (Eng-I) is his priority. If he wants to be the next Triple Crown horse, I'm not going to stand in his way."

Soldier to Step Up to Group 1 Company

Brave Tin Soldier proved the adage of 'third time's the charm' when breaking his maiden in his third start, the listed Laing O'Rourke Blenheim Stakes earlier in the day at the Curragh.

Two years ago, trainer Aidan O'Brien won this same race with Ad Valorem, who then went on to capture the Shadwell Stud Middle Park Stakes (Eng-I). O'Brien has similar plans for this colt.

Brave Tin Soldier now has one victory and two second-place finishes from three starts. The 2-year-old bay colt is by Storm Cat out of Bless, by Mr. Prospector. Bless is a full sister to Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner, Fusaichi Pegasus  .