Famous Name justifies his repute in Friarstown Stud International Stakes at Curragh
Famous Name did a fantastic job to grab his 17th success, winning the Friarstown Stud International Stakes at Curragh on Sunday, July 1st. Despite his constant hard luck at the highest level of the sport, the bookmakers showed full
faith in his abilities and gave him the highest starting price for the Group 3 event.
The 7-year-old did not let his supporters down, crushing the opposition in a great fashion. After settling in second, he niggled into straight and closed soon, travelling well to lead over one furlong out. He went clear inside the final furlong and never
looked in danger in the hands of the regular jockey, Pat Smullen.
Following a tremendous effort, the maverick runner seized the first position by 3¾ lengths. Defining Year also did well to stand second, as he easily outpaced Native Khan, who was given the second highest odds ahead of the race.
M. Halford’s trainee led the proceedings early on, but failed to retain his advantage afterwards. He quickened his pace three furlongs before the winning post, nevertheless, it was almost impossible for him to make any impression on the winner.
He could not make things tricky for the leading runner, but did well to secure the second prize by three and a quarter lengths. Native Khan was lucky to end up among top-3, as Windsor Palace missed the spot by a neck’s distance. It was Native Khan’s first
trip for John Oxx.
Enormously delighted over his charge’s thrilling victory, Weld lavished special praise on Famous Name, saying that he will now run in the Group 1 Munich (Grosser Dallmayr-Preis) later this month.
The trainer said: "He's an amazing horse. He just keeps winning. He loves to win, he loves to race and he loves to train - he's a proper athlete. As long as he keeps winning, we'll keep going with him. As soon as he tells us he's had enough, we'll stop.”
"He always runs well at the Curragh and he may go to Galway next if the weather stays like this. He loves soft ground and seven furlongs or a mile is his best trip," he added.
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