He's certainly photogenic - Ernest Hemingway, with Seamie Heffernan up, at the Curragh© Photo Healy Racing
We all remember the devastating eighteen length maiden success at Dundalk of Duntle. Well Ernest Hemingway landed his first start, on the polytrack, by all of ten lengths and he joined the aforementioned filly today as a Group winner as he flew home under Seamie Heffernan to take the At The Races Curragh Cup.
In this Group 3 fourteen furlong event, it looked like it might be more joy for Johnny Murtagh when he led on his own Royal Diamond from before the straight.
Favourite, Voleuse De Coeurs laid down her challenge in the final quarter mile but the longer-priced Ballydoyle runner (a treble for them following on from Bye Bye Birdie and Beach Of Falesa earlier), Ernest Hemingway (12/1, the Joseph O’Brien-ridden El Salvador went off at 7/1) simply sprouted wings from over furlong out, eventually landing the prize by five lengths.
Aidan O'Brien explained: "He ran over a mile and a half before when we used him (as a pacemaker) in the Arc but that wasn't a fair trial (of his staying power).
"When he ran over a mile and two Joseph said he was crying out for a mile and a half.
"It suited to run today and to take our time with him.
"He's a very good mover and probably loved that ground.
"He showed good acceleration today and I'm delighted with him.
"Obviously that's the first time that he's stepped up in distance.
"He's a beautiful horse – a big imposing type." (GC & EM)
