Qatar Racing buy Now Or Never

Now Or Never, winner of the Derrinstown Stud 1,000 Guineas Trial, has been bought by Qatar Racing ahead of her planned outing in next week's Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas.

The Michael O'Callaghan-trained filly has won two of her six starts to date and she impressed when winning the Leopardstown contest by a length and three-quarters in the colours of the Now Or Never Partnership.

However, the daughter of Bushranger has now been snapped up by Qatar Racing, who already have Irish 2,000 Guineas contender Blue De Vega in the O'Callaghan yard.

The trainer said: "Now Or Never is in great form and we are really looking forward to running her at the Curragh next weekend (May 22). She is a filly we have always thought a lot of and she has undoubtedly improved from two to three.

"It is a pleasure and honour to train horses for Qatar Racing. In Blue De Vega and Now Or Never they have a couple of really smart three-year-olds with me, along with some promising juveniles.

"It would be great to reward the faith Sheikh Fahad has shown by winning a big race for them," he said.

David Redvers, racing manager for Qatar Racing, added: "You couldn't be anything other than impressed by how Now Or Never won the Guineas trial. It was a very taking performance.

"She is a live Classic contender on the upgrade with black type already to her name, and so will make a valuable addition to our band of broodmares. But for now, we are just excited about seeing her at the Curragh in the Irish 1,000 Guineas."

Kieren Fallon, who has ridden Now Or Never in both her starts this season, will keep the ride in the big race.

He said: "She's as good a filly that I've ridden, with the exception of Russian Rhythm. I think she is very good. I'm not trying to sound cocky, but I don't care what turns up at the Curragh - I really like my filly and wouldn't swap her."