By Sean Cronin
Usurped for favouritism by 'TDN Rising Star' Unquestionable (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) in Sunday's G2 GAIN Railway S. at the Curragh, Amo Racing and Giselle De Aguiar's G2 Coventry S. third Bucanero Fuerte (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}–Frida La Blonde {Fr}, by Elusive City) gained a measure of compensation for that Royal Ascot reversal with a thrilling victory over his main rival in Sunday's renewal of the six-furlong staging post.
Bucanero Fuerte, a debut scorer over five furlongs on opening day here in March, was swiftly into stride and allowed a gap to build while racing second behind stablemate Lightening Army (GB) (Soldier's Call {GB}), who established a clear advantage by halfway. Easing closer approaching the quarter-mile marker, he locked horns with Unquestionable with 1 1/2 furlongs remaining and refused to yield under a late drive, outbobbing the 15-8 favourite by a short-head in a nip-and-tuck thriller. The pair were 4 1/2 lengths clear of the remainder, headed by the runner-up's Listed First Flier-winning stablemate His Majesty (Ire) (No Nay Never) in third.
“He's a tough horse, we took a chance running him back so quickly after [Royal] Ascot and he didn't let us down,” trainer Adrian Murray said. “[Assistant trainer] Robson [Aguair] said he was on fire during the week and we had no other option only to go for it. He's entered in the [G1] Phoenix S. and he could go to France, but we are not sure yet. We'll give him a bit of a break now as he's had two quick runs. He's a big, backward horse and we are not going to rush him. We'll definitely step him up in trip as that's what won it for him today. We made plenty of use of him because we knew he would see it out. He likes a bit of dig in the ground and, if anything, it was a bit quick for him today.”
Winning rider Rossa Ryan added, “He was very gutsy, the other horse never laid down and this lad stuck his neck out. I'd imagine he'll be a lot happier when he goes up to seven [furlongs] with a bit more juice in the ground. He's got a lovely cruise control and he gave me a super feel throughout. He's got a great mind to top it all off, so I'd say the future is bright with him. Credit to Adrian Murray and his team, they were confident he'd bounced out of Ascot well and it was a big test coming up against one of Aidan's that was fresh and hadn't been to Ascot. They've pulled a nice way clear of the rest.”
Pedigree Notes
Bucanero Fuerte, who becomes the 24th pattern-race winner for his sire, is a full-brother to G1 Prix de l'Abbaye hero Wooded (Ire) and G3 Sovereign S. runner-up Beat Le Bon (Fr). He is also kin to a yearling filly by Dubawi (Ire). The February-foaled bay's dam is out of stakes-winning G2 Premio Regina Elena (Italian 1000 Guineas) runner-up Firm Friend (Ire) (Affirmed) and thus a half-sister to dual stakes-winning G3 Prix de Ris-Orangis second Fred Lalloupet (GB) (Elusive City) and stakes-winning G3 Prix de Cabourg third Mon Pote Le Gitan (Thunder Gulch). Bucanero Fuerte's third dam Cherie Amie (Fr) (Gay Mecene) is kin to the dam of G1 Prix de l'Abbaye third and MGSW sire Magic Ring (Ire) (Green Desert).
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What a start to Irish Derby Day! Bucanero Fuerte just edges out Unquestionable at the line. @Rossaryan1 taking the win for @AMurrayRacing pic.twitter.com/0Z3kzEwT7j
— The Curragh Racecourse (@curraghrace) July 2, 2023
Sunday, Curragh, Ireland
GAIN RAILWAY S.-G2, €120,000, Curragh, 7-2, 2yo, 6fT, 1:09.97, gd.
1–BUCANERO FUERTE (GB), 131, c, 2, by Wootton Bassett (GB)
1st Dam: Frida La Blonde (Fr), by Elusive City
2nd Dam: Firm Friend (Ire), by Affirmed
3rd Dam: Chere Amie (Fr), by Gay Mecene
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (€165,000 Ylg '22 ARAUG). O-Amo Racing Ltd & Giselle De Aguiar; B-Gestut Zur Kuste AG (GB); T-Adrian Murray; J-Rossa Ryan. €72,000. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-1, $111,904. *Full to Wooded (Ire), G1SW-Fr, $274,930; and Beat Le Bon (Fr), GSP-Eng, $406,172. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Unquestionable (Fr), 131, c, 2, Wootton Bassett (GB)–Strawberry Lace (GB), by Sea The Stars (Ire). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€340,000 Ylg '22 ARAUG). O-Al Shaqab Racing, Coolmore & Westerberg; B-Mme Camille Vitse, Mme Axelle Vitse, Mme Valentine Vitse & Guillaume Vitse (FR); T-Aidan O'Brien. €24,000.
3–His Majesty (Ire), 131, c, 2, No Nay Never–Czabo (GB), by Sixties Icon (GB). (325,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT). O-Smith, Magnier, Tabor, Westerberg & Brant; B-Newstead Ltd (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. €12,000.
Margins: SHD, 4HF, 1HF. Odds: 3.33, 1.88, 2.50.
Also Ran: I Am Invictus (Ire), Mythology (Ire), Supersonic Man (GB), Democracy (Ire), Devious (GB), Lightening Army (GB).
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