My name is Phillip Shelton, and I'm going to be your tour guide over the next five days for an American owner's experience in Ireland. I manage Medallion Racing for Taylor Made Farm. One of our missions at Medallion and Taylor Made is to create world-class experiences for our partners. Last year it was Royal Ascot and this year it is Ireland. We have 21 partners traveling with us this week to attend the Irish Derby (G1), as well as visit different stud farms and training centers.
Our first stop on Saturday was the Curragh for Pretty Polly Day. This served to whet our appetite for the main course, which is Irish Derby Day on Sunday. Once we had our traditional pint of Guinness, we could dive into the races. It is hard not to look at the Curragh and notice the differences to an American track. The grandstand feels quite small, compared to most tracks in America, but it is modern and new after a recent renovation, and it feels nicer than many American tracks. The course itself is a sea of green, with gallops for training in the infield. It still feels weird watching a straight seven-furlong race (although there is a slight dogleg). Through all of these differences, though, some things would seem very familiar to American racegoers. Many trainers wait to debut their best young horses on these big days in both countries. I'm thinking about Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mage , who made his debut a winning one on Pegasus Day. The first race was won by City of Troy, a son of Justify , who looked a group stakes winner in the making winning his debut easily.
Next up was Matrika doing something we almost never see in America. She was a very good second to Medallion's own Porta Fortuna in the Albany Stakes (G3) eight days earlier at Royal Ascot. She came back to dominate the Airlie Stud Stakes (G2). I might be fired as an owner for suggesting my trainer wheel back a very nice 2-year-old on eight days' rest after a big effort at Europe's biggest meeting!
The differences kept coming in the feature race, the Pretty Polly (G1), which was won by Via Sistina. Via Sistina looked a certain winner as she moved up on the inside, but came over sharply, and negatively impacted the chances of three different horses. In America, it would have been all but guaranteed she would be disqualified. This is what many of our partners were expecting (maybe selfishly, as we had bet on the also-rans!). As the best horse in the race, the stewards left her up and suspended the jockey for six days. This feels like a better way to handle things as the best horse on the day won.
After taking it on the chin from a betting perspective, we headed to sample some more Guinness at the Straffan Inn, a pub near K Club. We were hosted on the night by Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, who has been invaluable in helping make this trip a reality. After a pint or two (maybe more than two), and a night of Irish music, we are ready to take on Irish Derby Day, where Europe's top 3-year-old Auguste Rodin is going to try to give trainer Aidan O'Brien his 100th European Classic victory!
This is the first in a five-part series.
