NEWS
St Nicholas Abbey dazzles in Racing Post Trophy
Posted: Saturday, October 24, 2009 3:53 PM
by Mike Curry
Unbeaten St Nicholas Abbey unleashed an electric turn of foot to overwhelm ten opponents in a dazzling victory in the Racing Post Trophy (Eng-G1) on Saturday at Doncaster.
Rallying from near the back of the field under Johnny Murtagh, the Montjeu (Ire) colt sent European bookmakers scrambling to shave his odds for the 2010 Stanjames.com Two Thousand Guineas (Eng-G1) and Investec Epsom Derby (Eng-G1) with a visually impressive sustained bid. He shifted gears smoothly with about a quarter-mile remaining, surged to the lead with a furlong left in the one-mile race, and stormed to a 3 3/4-length score.
"He's got a great cruising speed and turn of foot. I got to the furlong pole and he quickened and it was all over,” Murtagh told Racing Post. “All the good ones have that turn of foot."
Trained by Aidan O’Brien for owners Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier, and Michael Tabor, St Nicholas Abbey completed the distance in 1:39.62 on turf rated as good as the 13-to-8 favorite. Following the convincing win, he was cut to as low as 2-to-1 for the 2010 Epsom Derby and 3-to-1 for the Two Thousand Guineas.
"This is a very special horse," O’Brien told Racing Post. "He's one of those unique horses who is bred to stay but who has speed. When you look at that turn of toe he showed today—it was effortless.
"We will be looking at the Guineas and all the Classics next year."
St Nicholas Abbey entered off a victory in the Juddmonte Beresford Stakes (Ire-G2) on September 27 at the Curragh.
A half brother to multiple Grade 2 winner Grammarian, St Nicholas Abbey is out of the Sure Blade mare Leaping Water (GB), a half sister to multiple Group/Grade 1 winner and sire Ballingarry (Ire), 1999 Racing Post Trophy winner and sire Aristotle, and multiple Group 1 winner and sire Starborough.
Group 3 winner Elusive Pimpernel finished second, 2 1/2 lengths clear of previously undefeated Al Zir.
Mike Curry is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor
