Saoirse Abu impressive in Moyglare Stud S.
Jim Bolger is making the art of producing classic contenders look easy after gaining a second Group 1 victory with talented 2-year-old filly Saoirse Abu at the Curragh on Sunday.
The winner, whose Gaelic name translates to freedom forever, was made the early 12-to-1 third choice for the 2008 Stan James One Thousand Guineas (Eng-G1) next May after a smooth 1 1/2-length victory in the $409,000 Moyglare Stud Stakes (Ire-G1).
On August 25, Bolger sent out New Approach (Ire) to win the Galileo E. B. F. Futurity Stakes (Ire-G2) for 2-year-olds, and thereby secure favoritism for the Stan James Two Thousand Guineas (Eng-G1).
The trainer’s achievements bear eerie similarities to last season when by the close of the season he housed the favorites for both Guineas in Teofilo and Finsceal Beo.
Adding to the similarities, Saoirse Abu is by Gainesway sire Mr. Greeley, as is Finsceal Beo, who this season won both the One Thousand Guineas and the Boylesports Irish One Thousand Guineas (Ire-G1).
The seven-furlong Moyglare brought a second Group 1 win for Saoirse Abu, yet the first after which she gained proper recognition of her talent. Her first had been gained on very testing ground in the Independent Waterford Wedgwood Phoenix Stakes (Ire-G1) on August 12 at the Curragh. More attention was focused that day on the defeat of exciting Ballydoyle colt Henrythenavigator, who finished second to Saoirse Abu.
Always prominent in the nine-horse field under jockey Kevin Manning, Saoirse Abu went to the front approaching the final furlong as British contender Albabilia weakened. The 4-to-5 favorite Listen, a stablemate of Henrythenavigator, was produced with a strong run under Kieren Fallon but was never able to close on the winner.
Mad About You, who races for Walter Haefner’s Moyglare Stud Farm, stayed on to claim third spot, with Albabilia fourth.
Saoirse Abu completed seven furlongs on turf rated as good in 1:25.01.
“I’ve been very happy with her and she's a hardy horse and very professional,” said Bolger who trains Saoirse Abu for owner Ennistown Stud. “The One Thousand Guineas is the real aim for her next year, and even at this stage she wants a mile really. Her next race is undecided.”
