By Tom Frary
Ballydoyle's season cranked up a gear at Leopardstown on Sunday as the No Nay Never pair Battle Cry (Ire) and Samuel Colt (Ire) completed a one-two in the G3 Ballylinch Stud “Red Rocks” S. Runner-up in the Listed Star Appeal S. at Dundalk in October, Battle Cry who is a son of the listed scorer I'll Have Another (Ire) (Dragon Pulse) was switched off in rear early by Ryan Moore. Launched wide in the straight, the 10-1 shot overhauled his stablemate passing the furlong marker for a half-length success, with five lengths back to My Mate Alfie (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) in third.
Reflecting on the winner's last sighting, when being withdrawn from Doncaster's G1 Futurity Trophy after being upset in the stalls, Aidan O'Brien said, “He just panicked, but never did it before and hasn't after. He'd prefer better ground and looks like he'll get a mile. It's tough out there and you have to get home there today. He could be a horse for the French or the Irish Guineas.”
Pedigree Notes
Battle Cry is the first foal out of the dam, a 200,000gns purchase by Cormac McCormack at the 2020 Tatts February Sale who was also placed in the Listed Zetland S., Listed Pretty Polly S. and G3 Zukunftsrennen. A half-sister to the recent G3 Prix Penelope third Je Zous (Ire) (Zoustar {Aus}) from the family of the G1 Matron S. and G1 Phoenix S. heroine La Collina (Ire) (Strategic Prince {GB}) and In the Wings' sire Fracas (Ire), her yearling is a full-sister to the winner.
Last to first! 🥇
Battle Cry sweeps by his rivals under Ryan Moore to land the Group 3 @BallylinchStud "Red Rocks" Stakes despite ground conditions being far from ideal.@Ballydoyle | @coolmorestud | @LeopardstownRC pic.twitter.com/51ZDDBGhyt
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 7, 2024
Sunday, Leopardstown, Ireland
BALLYLINCH STUD RED ROCKS 2000 GUINEAS TRIAL S.-G3, €55,000, Leopardstown, 4-7, 3yo, c/g, 7f 18yT, 1:39.31, hy.
1–BATTLE CRY (IRE), 131, c, 3, by No Nay Never
1st Dam: I'll Have Another (Ire) (SW & GSP-Ger, MSP-Eng, $127,768), by Dragon Pulse (Ire)
2nd Dam: Jessie Jane (Ire), by Dylan Thomas (Ire)
3rd Dam: Silver Skates (Ire), by Slip Anchor (GB)
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. O-Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Westerberg; B-Lynch Bages Ltd (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. €33,000. Lifetime Record: 6-2-2-0, $117,364. Werk Nick Rating: B. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Samuel Colt (Ire), 131, c, 3, No Nay Never–Lesson In Life (GB), by Duke Of Marmalade (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€340,000 Ylg '22 ARAUG). O-Westerberg, Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith; B-Camas Park & Lynch Bages (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. €11,000.
3–My Mate Alfie (Ire), 131, g, 3, Dark Angel (Ire)–Bear Cheek (Ire), by Kodiac (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€70,000 Ylg '22 GOFOR). O-A K Whelan; B-BT Bloodstock & P O'Callaghan (IRE); T-Ger Lyons. €5,500.
Margins: HF, 5, 3. Odds: 10.00, 4.00, 20.00.
Also Ran: Take Me To Church (Ire), The Liffey (Ire), Chicago Critic (GB), Atlantic Coast (Ire), Bright Stripes (Ire).
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