Gstaad and True Love lead the way for O’Brien in search of Curragh Guineas' glory

Published at May 19, 2026, 14:06

Gstaad (far left) chased home Bow Echo in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket
© Healy Racing Photos

Aidan O’Brien’s pair of Gstaad and True Love lead the way in the confirmations for Tattersalls Irish Guineas weekend at the Curragh.

Gstaad found only Bow Echo too good in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, but with George Boughey keeping his charge fresh for Royal Ascot, the the Starspangledbanner colt is an odds-on favourite to gain Classic compensation on Saturday.

Also among 13 going forward are Karl Burke’s Alparslan, Charlie Appleby’s Distant Storm, who was third at Newmarket, Fozzy Stack’s Thesecretadversary and Hawk Mountain, a stablemate of Gstaad but expected to be held back for the French Derby.

True Love was a very impressive winner at Newmarket and heads the 16 left in the Tattersalls 1,000 Guineas which include stablemate Precise, who was sent off favourite that day and has five lengths to make up.

Jack Channon is relishing his Fred Darling winner Sukanya taking her chance on Sunday.

The daughter of Havana Grey was not disgraced throughout her juvenile campaign, running with real credit in defeat behind Precise and recent French Guineas heroine Diamond Necklace in Group events before finishing down the field at Newmarket in her final outing at two.

She served a real reminder of her potential when running on powerfully to score at Newbury on her return and Channon is now ready to step into the lion’s den at the Curragh, where he could emulate his father Mick who won the race in 2012 with Samitar.

“She’s in great form and did a lovely bit of work over the weekend and we’re looking forward to it,” said Channon.

“She’s got solid two-year-old form, she’s a very good filly. We have some very good O’Brien horses to take on, but she’s in great form and we go there with a great chance.

“She’s got a lot of speed and a great turn of foot, so we will be switching her off early and hoping she can come and pick them up late.”

Also on Sunday is the Tattersalls Gold Cup, in which Minnie Hauk is one of 14 possibles.

She made a winning comeback recently after a stellar three-year-old campaign saw her win three Group Ones and finish second to Daryz in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Ed Walker’s Almaqam, Roger Varian’s Saddadd and the George Scott-trained Bay city Roller, who gave Lambourn a fright at Chester, are in the mix.

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