Exciting Shakespeare gets off the mark The Aidan O'Brien-trained Shakespeare (8/15) got off the mark at the third time of asking under Ryan Moore in the Guidenstown Stud Irish European Breeders Fund Maiden at the Curragh. The €1.3 million guineas purchase was third and second on his first two starts and used his experience to good effect to make all and win his maiden by a length and a half. "He's a lovely big horse who does everything right," said O'Brien. "He's a little bit of a baby. That's why it took two runs for him to get to where he is. He's still not there. He has a lot of ability and is in the 'could be anything' category really. Size, power, quality, speed, stamina, he has everything. "Mentally he is a little bit babyish still, but that'll do him good being able to make the running today. When Ryan caught hold of him, he got down to stretch. So hopefully he's going to be something to look forward to." (Quotes from John O'Riordan)
