By Tom Frary
Off the mark at the second attempt by five lengths at Down Royal Sept. 3, Demi O'Byrne's Snaffles (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) was one of a clutch of unexposed juveniles lining up for Friday's Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Star Appeal S. at Dundalk and ultimately proved strongest to open his black-type account in the seven-furlong test. Settled in the box seat by Shane Crosse tracking the leading duo Corviglia (Karakontie {Jpn}) and Leinster House (War Front) early, the 11-1 shot worked his way to the front with 150 yards remaining and fought hard to stay there as King X J (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}) stayed on out wide to make the margin 3/4 of a length at the line.
“It was a lovely performance. I think he should be unbeaten, as first time out he was slowly away, got into all sorts of trouble and ran on well,” trainer Joseph O'Brien's assistant Brendan Powell said. “Last time at Down Royal he was very laid-back but went and did it well in the end, he learned from that. I think he'll keep improving, if you saw him in the paddock before he's literally asleep. He's the most laid-back horse you'll ever get. He's a tall, sparely-made horse but a good-looking horse and I think he has a very bright future. They've all come to him today and Shane said he's just doing enough in front, because he's having a look at the stands and the whole lot. He's very genuine, will stay a mile very well and could stay further as he's so laid-back.”
Snaffles is the last known foal out of the dam, with her first being the six-times group-winning sire Libranno (GB) (Librettist) whose exploits included successes in the G2 Park S., G2 Richmond S. and G2 July S. Also responsible for the G3 Prix de Cabourg runner-up Al Muthana (Fr) (Pastoral Pursuits {GB}) and the G3 Brownstown S. and G3 Silver Flash S. runner-up Unforgetable (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}), she is a half to the G3 Polar Cup-winning multiple Scandinavian champion Alyshakeys (Den) (Sendawar {Ire}).
IRISH STALLION FARMS EBF STAR APPEAL S.-Listed, €47,500, Dundalk, 10-1, 2yo, 7f (AWT), 1:25.32, st.
1–SNAFFLES (IRE), 131, c, 2, by Churchill (Ire)
1st Dam: Annabelle Ja (Fr), by Singspiel (Ire)
2nd Dam: Alamea (Ire), by Ela-Mana-Mou (Ire)
3rd Dam: Adjala (Ire), by Northfields
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. (£28,000 RNA Ylg '20 GOFOR; €11,000 Ylg '20 GOFOCT). O-D L O'Byrne; B-Lynch Bages, Camas Park & Arkle Bloodstock (IRE); T-Joseph O'Brien; J-Shane Crosse. €28,500. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0, $47,596. *1/2 to Libranno (GB) (Librettist), MGSW-Eng, $620,826.
2–King X J (Ire), 131, c, 2, Cotai Glory (GB)–Star of Kings (GB), by Sea the Stars (Ire). (€25,000 Wlg '19 GOFNOV; £15,000 RNA Ylg '20 TATIRY; £100,000 2yo '21 TATGOR). O-Paul J Nolan; B-Tom and Hazel Russell (IRE); T-Michael O'Callaghan. €9,500.
3–Markaz Paname (Ire), 131, c, 2, Markaz (Ire)–Vale of Paris (Ire), by Vale of York (Ire). O-Mrs M Boylan; B-Mr Donal Boylan (IRE); T-Ger Lyons. €4,750.
Margins: 3/4, NK, NO. Odds: 11.00, 6.00, 3.30.
Also Ran: Corviglia, Leinster House, Star Girls Aalmal (Ire), The Entertainer (Ire), Cornman (Ire), Gaire Os Ard (Ire), Absolute Ruler, Lyrical Poetry (Ire). Scratched: Dirtyoldtown (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result.
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