The Lir Jet Returns to Winning Form in Franklin-Simpson

The Lir Jet  returned to winning form in his first start since he was transferred stateside to trainer Brendan Walsh and in his first start as a gelding. The 3-year-old Prince of Lir  son rallied from midpack along the inside under Tyler Gaffalione and edged clear late to capture the $413,700 Franklin-Simpson Stakes (G2T) Sept. 11 at Kentucky Downs, his first success since the 2020 Royal Ascot meeting. 

Formerly trained in England by Michael Bell, The Lir Jet was a debut-winning 2-year-old for Bell's son, Nick, before Qatar Racing bought the bay ahead of last year's Royal Ascot meeting. The Lir Jet then won the Norfolk Stakes (G2) before finishing second in the Darley Prix Robert Papin (G2) and Keeneland Phoenix Stakes (G1). RacehorseClub bought into The Lir Jet for the 2021 season, but the top juvenile only placed once in his first four starts in Britain this year.

In returning to the winner's circle Saturday, The Lir Jet gave Sheikh Fahad Al Thani's Qatar Racing its third straight win in the Franklin-Simpson (the race was run as a grade 3 the two previous years). The operation won in 2020 with Walsh trainee Guildsman  and in 2019 Legends of War , owned in partnership, took the race for trainer Doug O'Neill. Sheikh Fahad made his first trip to Kentucky Downs to watch The Lir Jet on Saturday.

"From the first year we won, I told Fergus (Galvin, Qatar Racing's U.S. racing manager) that we wanted to go again. And this year we figured out that this horse was ideal for this race," Sheikh Fahad said. "And to be honest, credit is due to Michael Bell, who trained the horse in England. I had a chat with him, and he said to me that he thought this horse would suit racing in America, and would suit Kentucky Downs. He said (to) take him to America, and send him to one of your trainers over there.

"Brendan has been very lucky for us. He's a very good trainer, Brendan, and deserves all the luck he's been getting. That's why we chose him. Also, Fergus Galvin, our racing manager over here, thought that this race was ideal for him. And to be honest, Tyler gave him an unbelievable ride. The one thing I asked Oisin Murphy, who rides him in England, and he said just make sure he's sitting third, fourth, and that he has something to aim at. He thought he was better than the (others) here, and he showed that today."

The Lir Jet had only flown to the U.S. on Aug. 25, according to his profile on RacehorseClub's website.

"I hadn't had him a very long time, but he came to me in very good shape, made my job very easy. We just took him over when he got off the plane, and here we are," Walsh said. "I thought he was very impressive. It looked like he was always in control, got a great ride. It worked out great. Third year in a row for this man (Sheikh Fahad). It's great to have him here. He's a great supporter of ours, and it's nice that he could come over and see the unique Kentucky Downs that it is."

The Lir Jet was sent off at 8-1 in the 6 1/2-furlong Franklin-Simpson for sophomores. Gaffalione settled him mid-pack along the inside of the 11-horse field as Into the Sunrise  showed the way through an opening quarter in :22.18. By the time Into the Sunrise ran a half in :45.46, The Lir Jet was up into third, only a length off the pace. He closed in on the leader in the stretch and took the lead in the final furlong for a 1 3/4-length win.

The final time on the firm turf was 1:15.38. The Lir Jet returned $19.60 on a $2 win ticket.

"He broke sharp, grabbed a hold of the bit running up the hill. Even going down the hill he grabbed it a little more," Gaffalione said. "I had to wait a little bit longer. He was taking me the whole way. As soon as a spot opened up he accelerated and finished the job."

Easy Time  and Fauci  rallied to finish second and third, respectively, a head apart. Into the Sunrise was a nose back in fourth. Bruce D. Stakes (G1T) winner Point Me By , the 2-1 favorite, was seventh. 

The Lir Jet was bred in Ireland by Mr. Donal Boylan out of the Green Desert mare Paper Dreams , who has since produced a yearling Footstepsinthesand  colt and foaled an El Kabeir  filly this year.

First offered at the 2018 Tattersalls Ireland Flat Foal and Breeding Stock Sale, The Lir Jet brought the equivalent of $10,797 from Joe Foley out of the Rockton Stud consignment. He was then purchased for $9,776 by Robson Aguiar when consigned by Ballyhane Stud to the 2019 Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale.

The Lir Jet now has earnings of $313,882 from a 3-2-1 record in 11 starts.

Video: Franklin-Simpson S. (G2T)