Splendour scores for big weekend-winners Well-bred Golden Splendour (6/1 — 7/2) overcame a 501-day absence to land Punchestown’s Premiere Weekend November 21st & 22nd Race today, scoring for two of last weekend’s big winners trainer Joseph O’Brien and jockey Joey Sheridan. Bred by Juddmonte Stud Farm and out of Group 1-winner Winsili, ex-Francis-Henri Graffard-trained Golden Splendour had won her sole previous start at Chantilly in May 2025 and was purchased for 42,000gns last December. Today jockey Sheridan, successful in Sunday’s National Stakes on Folsom Blue, produced the daughter of Golden Horn from off the pace to lead close home, scoring by a neck from Minella Rockett . Folsom Blue’s trainer O’Brien, who also landed Saturday’s English St Leger with Highwayman, wasn’t present today and afterwards his assistant Michael Halford said “it was probably a surprise because we didn’t know an awful lot about Golden Splendour really. “She’s obviously a smart filly and did well to win coming off such a long lay-off. Joey said she handled the ground really well and was staying on well, so she’ll probably get a little bit further. “The way she was working at home we thought we’d get her started and see where we were with her. “It’s lovely to win for ‘Shaggy’ (Kieran Leavy, owner) who is a good supporter. He always has an interest in a horse with Joseph, so I’m delighted for him.” Quotes from Gary Carson
