Three races including the Group 3 Gladness Stakes will promote leading sire Big Bad Bob following an agreement launched by the Curragh Racecourse and owner Cristina Patino.
The Group 3 winning son of Bob Back, who is a half brother to the dam of multiple Group 1 and Irish Oaks heroine Snow Fairy, took up residence at the Irish National Stud this year and has created a major impression in his short stallion career.
His remarkable success includes siring 28% Stakes calibre horses to runners. 91% won/placed in 1st crop. Among his representatives so far are Ger Lyons’ UAE 1000 Guineas third and Brownstown Stakes Group 3 winner Berg Bahn, the Rochestown Stakes runner-up Moment Of Weakness, Bankster’s Bonus and four time winners Bob Le Beau and Spanish Duke. Buy Back Bob who won twice was sold for £140,000, while Bible Belt finished third in last year’s Group 3 CL Weld Park Stakes, beaten two heads.
In addition to the Gladness Stakes on 3rd April, other races in the sponsorship agreement include maiden races at the County Kildare venue on 20th March and during the Abu Dhabi Irish Guineas Festival in May.
Paul Hensey, Curragh Racecourse General Manager commented, “We are very grateful to Mrs Patino for agreeing to support the Curragh this year and I sincerely hope that we will see plenty of progeny by Big Bad Bob competing successfully in some of our major races this year”
