Serengeti franks Twain form at Dundalk and looks smart himself

Michael Graham
October 30, 2024 5:38 pm

Guineas trial likely for O’Brien-trained son of Wootton Bassett next year.

Serengeti franked the form of two of Aidan O’Brien’s Classic hopefuls for next season when scoring at Dundalk and could yet develop into a big-race contender himself.

The EURO 800,000 son of Wootton Bassett was sixth behind subsequent Dewhurst runner-up Expanded on his Curragh debut and then finished third at Leopardstown in a race won by Twain, who followed up with a Group One strike at Saint-Cloud.

Despite being 2-1 second-favourite to First Wave in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden over seven furlongs, Serengeti travelled strongly throughout and beat his Ballydoyle stablemate by a length and a quarter under Declan McDonogh.

Stable representative Chris Armstrong said: “They both had very good runs in the Curragh maiden behind Expanded, who went on to finish second in the Dewhurst, so it was a fair form line.

“Declan loved him the first day he rode him in the Curragh and he was a real eyecatcher coming home. Wayne (Lordan) loved him again in Leopardstown and obviously finished behind another proper one, Twain, that won the Group One (Criterium International).

“Wayne just felt the last day that the slower ground caught him out. He’s a high cruiser and he can quicken and he’s not short of pace.

“He’s one to look forward to, along with the second horse, for next year.

“This horse could start off in a Guineas Trial – he’s a fine, big horse. He jumped, he travelled, he was very comfortable and he quickened.

“Obviously, the second horse is held in very high regard and he’s one to look forward to. He’ll be a lovely maiden starting off next year. They are two smart colts.”

There was no joy for the Ballydoyle camp in the DundalkStadium.com Fillies Maiden, with City Of Troy’s half-sister Takemetothemoon only managing fifth place at 10-11.

In a blanket finish where half a length covered the first four home, 7-1 shot Ethical Code shaded it on her racecourse bow for Ger Lyons and James Ryan.

The winner is certainly bred for the job, being by Justify out of former Queen Mary and Phoenix Stakes victor Damson.

Assistant trainer Shane Lyons said: “We have just taken our time and let her come to us – let her tell us when she was ready.

“It just happened that this race presented itself. We love to get a horse to have a run as a two-year-old before we put them away.

“We would have been disappointed if she didn’t win today, she has shown us plenty.

“She did (travel) and I said to James I was a little bit disappointed she didn’t go away and he said she was as green as grass. She has never been away from home.

“A good friend got her as a weanling over in America, so that is how we got her.

“The depth of that race was unbelievable and she is exciting over the winter. She is just one of those other fillies in the yard and we have plenty of them.”