The Irish Champion Stakes was always the logical target for Madhmoon after the Irish Derby defeat. His trainer the octogenarian, Kevin Prendergast and jockey Chris Hayes have never hidden their admiration for him. Let’s examine why.
Madhmoons Debut
As a juvenile he made his racecourse debut at Leopardstown over a mile here last August on good ground. Market expectation suggested he wasn’t good enough to win, he went off at 9/2 with the Aidan O’Brien trained Sydney Opera House starting the 4/9 favourite.
From the stands he caught the eye rounding the bend into the straight. Lying fourth Chris eased him out towards the middle of the track only asking him to quicken inside the furlong pole, the response was instant, his turn of foot had him stretch away and he readily accounted for Sydney Opera House.
It was a debut to remember.
The Juvenile Stakes
Kevin asked him to follow up three weeks later when stepped up to G2 company in the Junevile Stakes at Leopardstown on this day last year, once more over the mile, again on a good surface, the market this time wiser to his talents, he went off 6/5F favourite.
It was a more authoritative performance than his debut, he tracked the leaders into the straight, this time Chris asking him to gradually pick up and in a matter of strides he was clear from Broome who chased him home.
Three Year Old Career
This year he returned for the Leopardstown 2000 Guineas Trial over an inadequate 7f trip on soft ground, returned an odds on 4/6F he went down a ½L to Never No More. It was nevertheless a good trial for what was to come.
He went to Newmarket in May to contest the 2000 Guineas, the ground again was good and he went off third choice of the market at 7/1, drawn one on the far side, the worst of the draw, Chris had to roust him into position before settling him in the main pack coming up the centre of the course, those drawn high included a trio who raced down the stands rail where it seemed there was a definite advantage, the action developed along the rail, it was Magna Grecia who prevailed with King Of Change second (two of the trio on the rail). Madhmoon finished fourth (second of the main group) and in hindsight, it was one hell of a run.
Fourth at Newmarket was always good credentials for Epsom.
The market let him go off at a relatively unconsidered 10/1 for the Derby. He ran a cracker. Chris chose to hug the rail sacrificing position but saving ground most of the way round, as they rounded Tattenham Corner he’d only three behind, he made his move, pulled off the rail, he stumbled before gathering himself and began to power up the straight passing all to lead inside the two-furlong pole, Sir Dragonet got to him and a furlong out passed him but he battled back to deny him but Anthony Van Dyck got up on the inside to win by a ½L. Had he not stumbled?
The Irish Derby at the Curragh, his home track was naturally the next target.
There was great anticipation before the race, the front two from Epsom back home to fight it out over the flatter fairer track. This time he went off a 5/2 shot behind Anthony Van Dyck the 5/4 favourite. Sovereign, as he did at Epsom made the running. It was a case of heads down for all the jockeys in behind, they all collectively made the assumption that Sovergien the pacemaker, even given a soft lead would come back to them, he didn’t. When they turned for home the advantage was 10L and by the time the field realised it was too late, the bird had flown, Sovereign was gone, Padraig Beggy having masterfully outwitted all. Anthony Van Dyck won the battle for second with Norway just hanging on to deny Madhmoon third.
Prep for The Irish Champion Stakes
The Desmond Stakes
Kevin took the defeat at the Curragh on the chin, he gave him a mid-summer break with this, as he next target, to get here he chose the path worn last year, a trip to Leopardstown over a mile three weeks out from the Irish Champion Stakes.
He looked a picture beforehand, imposing and at ease with himself, the boy had become a man, his presence dominated the ring.
His start was tardy, slightly missing the break, he was dropped in and asked to come wide around the field. At first, he looked a little rusty but once the cobwebs were off he breezed away, a furlong out, for just a few strides, his engine was lit, that turn of foot seen on debut was evident again. He glided by the line, a cosy winner of the Desmond Stakes.
Irish Champion Stakes don’t come easy, the opposition is as always high class, Magical has run second to Enable the last twice, Crystal Ocean the time before that, officially rated the two best horses in the world today. Enable this week moved up 2 lbs to 128 passing Crystal Ocean mark of 127, Magical herself is rated 122.
Now she’ll have to run second Madhmoon.
Recommendation: Madhmoon 7/1 win
We update you on PRWC 2019 next week