By Tom Frary
Bouncing out of an increasingly-strong looking edition of the 2,000 Guineas, Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's Inisherin (GB) (Shamardal–Ajman Princess {Ire}, by Teofilo {Ire}) converted instantly and successfully to leading sprinter of his generation by taking Haydock's G2 Betfred Supports Jack Berry House Sandy Lane S. on Saturday. Producing sensational splits when beating the smart filly Kalpana (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}) in a mile novice at Newcastle in March before acquitting himself with credit when sixth in the Newmarket Classic three weeks ago, the Kevin Ryan-trained blueblood travelled strongly in the front line under Tom Eaves.
In command from two out, the 9-2 second favourite stretched to an impressive 3 3/4-length success from Orne (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), with the penalised G1 Prix Morny and G1 Middle Park S. hero and 8-11 favourite Vandeek (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) surrendering his unbeaten record a neck away in third.
“I was always in my comfort zone,” Eaves said. “He's run really well in the Guineas, that was a solid run, and you always think dropping back to sprinting will he be quick enough, but Kevin was always very confident he was. He's only had four starts, so we're only just getting to know him and he's only finding his feet.”
Kevin Ryan's daughter Amy added, “He's got a great mind on him and that opens up so many more options. He'd have to be supplemented for the Commonwealth Cup, but I haven't spoken to anyone yet so I don't know what the plan is. We just need to get him home and make sure he's okay and see how he comes out of the race. We've always thought loads of him, but he's just so laid-back. We could have started him off over seven earlier in the year and he ran a blinder in the Guineas, but he's just got so much natural speed and having gone and done that today, he's got options. Physically I thought he stood out today and he's got such a fantastic attitude.”
Ed Crisford said of Vandeek, “It looked like he was a bit fresh early on. He travelled super in the race, but he just got tired in the last furlong in the ground. All these horses had already run, the winner had run well in the Guineas so was super-fit but on that ground, James [Doyle] just felt the last furlong was a long way home. But, we've got him out now, we'll keep going with the plan, see how he is and as long as he's okay, we'll head for Ascot.”
“It was a shame he's been beaten obviously, but these things happen and we'll keep on pointing towards Ascot and I'm sure he'll come on a hell of a lot for the race today. It's testing, sticky ground and even if you've gone on it before, it was his first run of the year and James didn't want to give him a very hard race.”
Pedigree Notes
Inisherin, who becomes the 85th group winner for his remarkable sire, is the second foal out of the G1 Prix Jean Romanet heroine Ajman Princess whose five other black-type-winning half-siblings include the G1 Queen Anne S. hero Triple Time (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and Shamardal's G3 Bengough S. scorer Cape Byron (GB). She is out of Reem Three (GB) (Mark Of Esteem {GB}), who is the second dam of the day's G1 Irish 2000 Guineas hero Rosallion (Ire) by Shamardal's Blue Point (Ire). Reem Three directly traces back to the G1 Prix de Diane and G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud-winning champion Dunette (Fr) (Hard To Beat {Ire}). Ajman Princess's 2-year-old colt by Dubawi (Ire) is named King Of Cities (Ire), while she also has a yearling filly by Lope De Vega (Ire).
INISHERIN humbles 2x G1 winner VANDEEK into insignificance!
Give us the #RoyalAscot rematch we all want… 🤤🍿pic.twitter.com/MD1XY77i10
— World Horse Racing (@WHR) May 25, 2024
Saturday, Haydock, Britain
BETFRED SUPPORTS JACK BERRY HOUSE SANDY LANE S.-G2, £125,000, Haydock, 5-25, 3yo, 6fT, 1:12.77, sf.
1–INISHERIN (GB), 128, c, 3, by Shamardal
1st Dam: Ajman Princess (Ire) (G1SW-Fr, SW & MGSP-Eng, $306,567), by Teofilo (Ire)
2nd Dam: Reem Three (GB), by Mark Of Esteem (Ire)
3rd Dam: Jumaireyah (GB), by Fairy King
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. O/B-Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum (GB); T-Kevin Ryan; J-Tom Eaves. £70,888. Lifetime Record: 4-2-1-0, $109,676. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Orne (Ire), 128, c, 3, Acclamation (GB)–Pellucid (GB), by Excelebration (Ire). (120,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT). O-Al Shaqab Racing; B-Rathbarry Stud (IRE); T-John & Thady Gosden. £26,875.
3–Vandeek (GB), 131, c, 3, Havana Grey (GB)–Mosa Mine (GB), by Exceed And Excel (Aus). (52,000gns Wlg '21 TADEWE; 42,000gns Ylg '22 TADEY; 625,000gns 2yo '23 TATBRE). O-KHK Racing; B-Maywood Stud (GB); T-Simon & Ed Crisford. £13,450.
Margins: 3 3/4, NK, 2. Odds: 4.50, 40.00, 0.73.
Also Ran: Alaskan Gold (Ire), Purosangue (GB), Esquire (GB), Airman (Ire). Scratched: Pandora's Gift (Ire).
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