Paddington (2nd left) and Ryan Moore © Photo Healy Racing
Aidan O’Brien ended a six year ‘drought’ in the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas when landing the first colts classic for the 12th time with Paddington at the Curragh.
The son of Siyouni won his previous three outings all with plenty of cut in the ground including the Tetrarch Stakes over course and distance earlier this month and was sent off the 3/1 second favourite here against ten rivals.
Newmarket runner-up Hi Royal made most of the running and Paddington edged right under pressure when striking the front just inside the final furlong.
Ryan Moore ’s mount kept on well inside the final 150 yards to score by two lengths with Cairo finishing well to provide the Ballydoyle maestro with a 1-2.
Hi Royal took third spot a further three-quarters-of-a-length back but 6/4 favourite Royal Scotsman could find no extra from well over a furlong out eventually finished a disappointing ninth.
The result was confirmed following a stewards enquiry.
O'Brien said, “I'm delighted for everybody at home, it's a big team of people, and I'm delighted for the lads.
“We went to Ascot first time with him and he was very babyish. Then he came back and won a maiden very easily here with Seamus (Heffernan).
“He wintered very well and we were very happy with him in the spring. He ended up in the Madrid on a lovely mark, it was a lovely place to start him as it was over seven furlongs, even though the ground was soft.
“Then he came back here and won the Tetrarch in soft ground again so we weren't really sure about the ground with him. Obviously he's a Siyouni out of a Montjeu mare. He was always a beautiful mover but you are never sure until they do it.
“Seamus loved him the last day and he had been doing everything really nice since. He's a fine big horse and is maturing very well. He's very good looking.
“He was a little bit slow away but Ryan got his position very quickly on him and he didn't light him up to do it. He's a very exciting horse.”
When asked if the St James' Palace could be next he added, “What we always do is we go home and give them a week or ten days and then the lads discuss it with Ryan and everyone else before deciding where they would like to go.
“That looks like the natural progression for him though, because he doesn't look short of speed even though he will get further in time.
“Ryan was very impressed with him, he hadn't ridden him since Ascot when he was a real baby.
“He missed the break and where he was, if he had stayed there it could have been a very dangerous position because he would have been at the mercy of the race.
“He went out with the mindset that he'd ride his own horse and it didn't matter where anyone else was going to be, he was going to be happy to make the running or do whatever.
“He had great confidence in him but that split second decision when he made that move very quickly to have that position, without lighting up the horse, made all the difference.
“He travelled like a dream and when he asked him he did quicken but he's still a little bit of a baby and he probably would have learned a lot today quickening on that ground.”
Moore said, “He’s still learning and has got a lot of talent. He’s still not quite sure what to do yet but has got a really good turn of foot.
“He got into a good rhythm and once he was organised and balanced he was always going to do a job.
“He’s getting better and I would like to think he’s going to be better still towards the end of the year.”
Paddy Power and Betfair make Paddington 5/2 (from 12/1) for the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot and 7/1 (from 20/1) for the Eclipse Stakes.
Quotes by Gary Carson
