The Major General (right) beats Secret Splendour© Photo Healy Racing
Trainer Aidan O'Brien and jockey Ryan Moore gained a measure of compensation for Minding s 1,000 Guineas defeat earlier when securing a double on the day as The Major General landed the concluding Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Maiden at the Curragh today.
The 1,000 Guineas was run as the second race on the card today and while Minding's narrow defeat to Jet Setting was the day's big talking point, O'Brien and Moore did win the Gallinule Stakes with Beacon Rock before The Major General (9/2 — 3/1) landed the concluding maiden.
Following that maiden win, O'Brien stated “it's good that he's won and Ryan gave him a very good ride. He thought that trip was maybe about right for him and he doesn't want to be in front too soon.
“He has plenty of ability and is a horse that could start to progress now. It took time with him for the penny to drop.”
The Major General was a E1,500,000 purchase from breeder Jim Bolger's Redmonstown Stud at Goffs in September 2014.
By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson
