By Tom Frary
If Ballydoyle's Tower Of London (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) was disappointing at York earlier on Friday, the stable was able to rely on Kyprios (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) to make amends in the G3 Saval Beg Levmoss S. at Leopardstown. While the win was far from flashy, it at least confirmed the 2022 Gold Cup hero to be on track for a tilt at the Royal Ascot crown he was forced to give up through injury 12 months ago. Tracking the leading pair throughout the early stages, the 1-12 favourite was sent to the front a furlong out and asserted to complete the task by a length from stablemate Queenstown (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).
Aidan O'Brien was happy, even if this was a long way short of the winner's 14-length romp in this two years ago before going on his streak of four group 1 prizes. “We're delighted with him, he's a lovely horse,” he said. “When he gets there he just waits, but Ryan was very happy with him. Ryan said he has plenty of speed left, all the speed is there, but he just pulls up when he gets there, he's just lazy. The plan was obviously the two runs and then go to Ascot, if everything is well with him then. It's amazing that he came back, it's great to have him back. He just has a lovely relaxed way of doing it.”
Pedigree Notes
Kyprios is the last foal out of Moyglare's remarkable broodmare Polished Gem (Ire) (Danehill), whose 10 progeny include an astounding eight black-type winners including Galileo's dual G1 Irish St Leger heroine Search For A Song (Ire), High Chaparral 's G1 Prince of Wales's S.-winning sire Free Eagle (Ire), the G2 British Champions Fillies & Mares S. winner Sapphire (Ire) (Medicean {GB}) and multiple group scorer Custom Cut (Ire) (Notnowcato {GB}). Polished Gem is a daughter of Affirmed's G1 Irish 1000 Guineas heroine Trusted Partner and a full-sister to the GI Matriarch S. heroine Dress To Thrill (Ire) related to the group 1-winning juveniles Thunder Moon (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) and Vert De Grece (Ire) (Verglas {Ire}). As if all that wasn't enough, the third dam is the champion 2-year-old filly Talking Picture (Speak John) who acts as ancestress to countless stakes winners including Forgotten Rules (Ire) (Nayef) who was third in the Gold Cup.
Just. Too. Good 🎯
KYPRIOS takes the Saval Beg Stakes in his stride… #RoyalAscot next! 🤗pic.twitter.com/Zi3GBZiL8T
— World Horse Racing (@WHR) May 17, 2024
Friday, Leopardstown, Ireland
SAVAL BEG LEVMOSS S.-G3, €52,500, Leopardstown, 5-17, 4yo/up, 14fT, 3:01.16, gd.
1–KYPRIOS (IRE), 131, h, 6, by Galileo (Ire)
1st Dam: Polished Gem (Ire), by Danehill
2nd Dam: Trusted Partner, by Affirmed
3rd Dam: Talking Picture, by Speak John
O-Moyglare/Magnier/Tabor/Smith/Westerberg; B-Moyglare Stud Farm Ltd (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. €31,500. Lifetime Record: MG1SW-Eng, G1SW-Ire & Fr, 14-10-2-0, $1,551,814. *Full to Search For A Song (Ire), MG1SW-Ire, SW & GSP-Eng, G1SP-Fr, $1,086,486; 1/2 to Custom Cut (Ire) (Notnowcato {GB}), MGSW-Eng, MGSW-Ire, $951,925; 1/2 to Free Eagle (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}), G1SW-Eng, GSW & G1SP-Ire, $926,416; 1/2 to Sapphire (Ire) (Medicean {GB}), GSW-Eng, MGSW & G1SP-Ire, $518,947; Full to Falcon Eight (Ire), GSW-Ire, SW-Eng, $394,361; 1/2 to Valac (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), GSW-Aus, $448,653; Full to Amma Grace (Ire), SW & GSP-Ire. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Queenstown (Ire), 131, g, 4, Galileo (Ire)–Where (Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Mrs J Magnier/M Tabor/D Smith/Westerberg; B-Coolmore (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. €10,500.
3–Yashin (Ire), 131, g, 5, Churchill (Ire)–Mirdhak (GB), by Dansili (GB). O-Tom & Gerry Met Mickey Syndicate; B-Gerry Byrne (IRE); T-Jessica Harrington. €5,250.
Margins: 1, 1 3/4, 2 1/4. Odds: 0.08, 20.00, 14.00.
Also Ran: Serious Challenge (Ire), Dawn Rising (Ire), Sunchart (GB).
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