Toormore Dominates in National Stakes Win
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Even-money favorite Toormore took the lead at the start and was never headed en route to a clear win in the Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes (Ire-I) for 2-year-olds Sept. 15 at the Curragh.
Ridden by Richard Hughes for trainer Richard Hannon, the Arakan colt capped his juvenile campaign and took his untarnished record to three wins as he sailed across the finish line 2 3/4 lengths clear of Keeneland Phoenix Stakes (Ire-I) victor Sudirman, the second favorite.
One-paced maiden winner Giovanni Boldini finished 1 1/4 lengths back in third in the five-horse field.
Toormore covered seven furlongs 1:22.67 on turf rated as good.
"He's a big shell of a horse and is not a precocious 2-year-old by any means," Hannon said of Toormore, who won his career bow May 28 at Leicester.
Owner Middleham Park Racing enjoyed its first win at the group I level with Toormore, who in his previous start rallied from midfield to win the seven-furlong Veuve Clicquot Vintage Stakes (Eng-II) by a neck July 31 at Goodwood.
"We weren't sure what pace there would be in the (National Stakes), but as it turned out he got a fairly uncontested lead," said Tim Palin, racing manager of Middleham Park Racing.
"He has a great attitude and the further he goes the better he is. He's in the Racing Post Trophy (Eng-I, Oct. 26 at Doncaster) but will not run again this season. He's a very clean-winded horse, and could go straight for the (Two Thousand) Guineas (Eng-I) next year."
Bred in Ireland by Bec Bloodstock, Toormore is out of the unraced Danetime mare Danetime Out. He was bought by bloodstock agents Peter and Ross Doyle for £36,000 ($56,952 in United States funds) out of the Redpender Stud consignment at the 2012 Doncaster premier yearling sale.
Sire Arakan, a 13-year-old son of Nureyev, stands in Ireland at Ballyhane Stud.