Weld content with Breeders’ Cup boost for Tahiyra

Meditate success paints Moyglare heroine in positive light.

Dermot Weld was pleased to see Tahiyra’s form further enhanced after watching Meditate roll to a comfortable victory at the Breeders’ Cup meeting.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained Meditate was a cosy winner of the Juvenile Fillies Turf at Keeneland on Friday night, after chasing home Tahiyra in the Moyglare Stud Stakes in September and also filling the runner-up spot in the Cheveley Park Stakes.

Weld opted to send Tahiyra, who has won each of her two starts, on a winter break following her two-and-a-quarter-length defeat of Meditate but her stock her certainly risen in her absence.

Meditate was a comfortable Keeneland victor
Meditate was a comfortable Keeneland victor (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

When it was put to him that Tahiyra’s form got a good boost in America, Weld said: “It did indeed, it was a very good performance by her.”

Tahiyra, who is a Siyouni half-sister to Weld’s former star and Breeders’ Cup Turf champion Tarnawa, is wintering at her owner the Aga Khan’s Gilltown Stud and Weld is anticipating a big 2023 for his new flagbearer.

He said: “She’s a very talented filly and we’ll look forward to the spring. She’s on her winter break, 48 hours after she won we decided she’d go on holiday and have a nice break.

Tahiyra was a winner at Galway on her racecourse bow
Tahiyra was a winner at Galway on her racecourse bow (Niall Carson/PA)

“I think it will stand to her, to have made that hard call immediately after she won the Group One – off on holidays and gone.

“She’s a filly that will grow and develop, she just needs to grow and develop and strengthen a little bit more.

“I saw her the other day over in Gilltown and she looked magnificent.”

Tahiyra is a best-priced 4-1 favourite for next year’s 1000 Guineas, with Meditate a general 6-1 shot.

Follow us on Twitter racing365dotcom and like our Facebook page.

Latest