Curragh report: Séamus Heffernan successfully stepped in for Kieren Fallon on board the odds-on favourite Septimus who provided a significant victory for the Aidan O'Brien team in yesterday's Juddmonte Beresford Stakes.
The Curragh's Group Two pot has been a notably lucrative opportunity for O'Brien and yesterday's win was an eighth in total for the Ballydoyle trainer. However, the real significance came for the winner's part-owner Derrick Smith, who saw his purple colours carried to Group race success for the very first time.
The Londoner has cemented closer ties with the Coolmore syndicate of John Magnier and Michael Tabor in the last year since he co-owned the 2004 Kentucky Derby runner-up, Lion Heart, with Tabor and he was present to see Septimus win yesterday.
"That's my first Group win with these colours," said Smith. "That saves a lot of hassle!"
Smith, who now lives in Barbados, was a trading director for Ladbrokes up to 1988 when he left to go into business. Property and currency trading are reported to have helped him mass a fortune listed at close on €500 million.
Some bookmaker reaction indicated that Smith could have another Classic hope on his hands as Cashmans slapped a 20 to 1 quote for the Epsom Derby on Septimus.
There was plenty to like about the way the colt knuckled down to beat Rekaab by a length and O'Brien declared: "It's possible he could run again in the Racing Post Trophy but we could also put him away for the season. He got into a fight there and will have learned a lot."
Classic dreams were also being entertained by the Tommy Stack team after Alexander Alliance impressively broke her maiden in the Listed Flame Of Tara Stakes.
"We would hope she will get a mile and the Newmarket Guineas is the plan," said Stack, who won the same Classic in 1994 with Las Meninas. "We thought it would take a smart one to beat her the first day and we found one (Art Museum)."
Clara Allen completed her rehabilitation from a broken pelvis with a convincing defeat of Mrs Gillow in the Hacketts Irish Cesarewitch.
"She stood in her box for six months," disclosed trainer John Kiely.
The top chaser Beef Or Salmon finished ninth in this and although never prominent, he stayed on well enough at the finish.
Allexina appreciated the ease in the going and dealt a five-length hammering to the English-trained favourite Foreign Affairs in the Listed Rathbarry Studs Finale Stakes.
"She likes that ease and has done well for us but we will have to see what we will do with her now," said the winner's trainer John Oxx.
Michael Halford reached a career best 51 winners for the Flat season with a double highlighted by Miss Sally's victory in the Waterford Testimonial Stakes. "You don't come along horses as tough and versatile as this very often. The plan is to keep her in training and she seems to be getting better," said Halford whose first winner, Cupids Ray, was also ridden by Johnny Murtagh.
